Helium One announces significant progress in key Tanzanian project
What you need to know:
- The company has submitted a comprehensive Mining Licence (ML) application to the Tanzanian authorities for its helium project, covering areas of Itumbula, Tai and southern prospective zones, marking a crucial step toward commercial development
Dar es Salaam. Helium One Global, the primary helium explorer in Tanzania, has announced significant progress in its southern Rukwa operations.
The company has recently submitted a comprehensive Mining Licence (ML) application for its helium project, covering areas of Itumbula, Tai and southern prospective zones, marking a crucial step toward commercial development.
The application is supported by a thorough feasibility study, which includes subsurface modelling and a commercial development plan.
Additionally, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), conducted by MTL Consulting, has been completed and is now awaiting approval from the National Environment Management Council.
In a strategic move, Helium One Global has allowed Prospecting Licenses covering 888 km² in the Eyasi, Balangida and Rukwa project areas to expire.
This decision, driven by the limited prospectivity or challenging accessibility of these areas, has resulted in savings of over $177,600 in annual licensing fees.
“This is a major milestone for the company,” said CEO of Helium One Global, Lorna Blaisse. “The past year has been pivotal, with a successful helium discovery at the Itumbula West-1 well, a successful well test, and the completion of a detailed feasibility study,” she added.
Blaisse expressed optimism about future developments, noting that the company is eager to collaborate with the Tanzanian government once the ML is granted.
This partnership aims to establish a leading helium sector in Tanzania.
The feasibility study, she explained, integrates extensive data from subsurface teams and evaluates the viability of a helium development project in southern Rukwa.
It incorporates findings from the Itumbula West-1 discovery well and the subsequent well test.
Helium One remains engaged with Tanzania’s Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission while awaiting ML approval.
The company's Epiroc 220 drilling rig is operational and prepared for use in southern Rukwa.
