East African Mining News Unearthing Mining Opportunities in East Africa
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Tanzania has taken a giant leap towards establishing itself as a key player in the global helium market, with Helium One Global securing a landmark Mining Licence for its southern Rukwa Helium Project. The licence, granted by Tanzania’s Mining Commission, covers an expansive 480km², a testament to the nation’s confidence in the project’s potential.
This historic development, following approval from the Ministry of Minerals, marks the first time a mining licence of this scale has been issued for helium exploration in Tanzania. The licence covers a substantial portion of Helium One’s 1,086 km² licensed area within the Rukwa rift basin, a geological formation in southwest Tanzania known for its significant helium concentrations.
The offer letter from the Mining Commission comes on the heels of the Itumbula West-1 discovery in 2023, and a comprehensive feasibility study submitted in September 2024, which confirmed the region’s vast helium resources. The Rukwa basin, part of the East Africa Rift System, boasts helium seeps with concentrations reaching up to 10.4%, notably free from hydrocarbons or CO2, with nitrogen as the sole carrier gas.
“This is a historic moment for both the company and Tanzania,” declared Lorna Blaisse, CEO of Helium One. “It marks the first-ever Mining Licence granted for helium in the country, and on such a significant scale. We are grateful to the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission for their trust in our vision to pioneer this vital sector.”
The company, which also holds a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA, now plans to accelerate full-scale development in Tanzania. This move is expected to not only solidify Helium One’s position in the global helium market but also contribute significantly to Tanzania’s burgeoning mining sector.
The granting of this licence underscores Tanzania’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and developing its natural resources. The Rukwa Helium Project holds the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and position Tanzania as a strategic supplier of helium, a critical resource used in medical imaging, scientific research, and advanced technologies.
