Helium One receives mining license for Rukwa Helium Project

Helium One Global, a leading helium exploration company in Tanzania, has received an offer letter from Tanzania’s Mining Commission for a Mining Licence (ML) covering around 480km² for its southern Rukwa Helium Project, located in the Momba and Sumbawanga Districts.

This follows approval from the Ministry of Minerals, which allowed for an unusually large ML to support full project development. The Company’s flagship southern Rukwa helium project is licensed within 1,086 km2 in the Rukwa rift basin in south west Tanzania. This geological basin occupies the western branch of the East Africa Rift System (“EARS”) and is associated with surface helium seeps that contain helium concentrations of up to 10.4%, with no association with hydrocarbons or CO2 and only nitrogen as the carrier gas.

Rukwa Helium Project

The offer comes after the Itumbula West-1 discovery in 2023 and a feasibility study submitted in September 2024, which confirmed the region’s significant helium potential. Helium One also holds a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA. The company plans to advance full-scale development, aiming to establish itself as a key player in the global helium market and contribute to Tanzania’s growing helium industry.

“This is a historic moment for both the company and Tanzania, marking 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. I also extend my thanks to our dedicated team and shareholders for their unwavering support.” Lorna Blaisse, CEO of Helium One, emphasised the significance of this milestone, stated.