The Saskatoon company’s stock rose 10 per cent Friday after it announced backing from mining investor Eric Sprott and an unnamed Vietnam-based conglomerate to develop the cache of underground natural hydrogen near Central Butte, Sask. (The Logic)

Talking point: There’s been a spike in interest in natural hydrogen over the past two years after scientists discovered that there are trillions of tons of the stuff in the earth, much more than previous estimates. That’s promising because natural hydrogen has the potential to produce energy without creating any carbon pollution, with water as the only byproduct. Max Power CEO Mansoor Jan said early testing indicates a potentially “historic” discovery of hydrogen and helium, and said the firm is on track to build the country’s first well dedicated to the energy source. A service rig is en route and expected to reach the site next week.