Gold Hydrogen Secures Up to A$6 Million R&D Loan Facility to Advance Natural Hydrogen and Helium Projects

Gold Hydrogen Limited (ASX: GHY) has entered into a research and development financing agreement with Rockford Capital that could provide up to A$6 million in loan funding to support its ongoing natural hydrogen and helium exploration and appraisal activities on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.

Announced on October 23, 2026, the agreement establishes a two-stage funding arrangement linked to Gold Hydrogen's anticipated Australian research and development tax claims for the 2026 and 2027 financial years. The company expects to receive an initial loan of up to A$2 million within days, with the option to seek a further A$4 million against eligible research and development expenditure associated with its more recent well-testing activities.

The financing comes as Gold Hydrogen evaluates results from its 2026 Ramsay well-testing campaign and advances preliminary studies into potential commercial development pathways for both naturally occurring hydrogen and helium.

Under the first stage, Rockford Capital will provide up to A$2 million secured against Gold Hydrogen's projected FY2026 R&D claim. The claim incorporates expenditure associated with the company's 2025 drilling campaign and has been verified by its research and development and taxation adviser, Deloitte.

Gold Hydrogen expects the initial funding to be settled and received shortly after the announcement. The facility provides access to capital ahead of the anticipated realization of the associated R&D tax benefit, allowing the company to continue technical work without waiting for the underlying claim proceeds.

The initial loan carries an establishment fee of 1.75% and an annual interest rate of 16.5%, with a minimum interest period of 120 days. These terms make the arrangement a form of secured debt financing rather than a government grant, equity investment or direct reimbursement of exploration costs.

At the full A$2 million initial loan amount, the establishment fee would equal A$35,000. Interest would accrue separately under the facility's terms, creating a financing cost that Gold Hydrogen must account for when assessing its available working capital.

The second stage provides Gold Hydrogen with the option to seek up to A$4 million in additional borrowing against its projected FY2027 R&D claim.

That claim is expected to incorporate expenditure associated with the company's 2026 well-testing campaign, together with other eligible research and development costs.

Full press release can be found here.