Helium One secures mining licence for Tanzania project

Helium One Global, Tanzania’s leading helium exploration company, has received an offer letter from the Mining Commission (MC) of Tanzania for the grant of a Mining Licence for its southern Rukwa Helium Project

The company also holds a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA.

Key highlights:

• The offer letter grants a Mining Licence covering approximately 480km², encompassing the entire southern Rukwa Helium Project located in the Momba and Sumbawanga Districts of the southern Rukwa Basin.

• This follows the approval by the Ministry of Minerals (MoM), which has permitted the MC to issue a larger-than-standard ML to support the project's full development.

• The ML offer and terms are currently under review by Helium One.

Lorna Blaisse, CEO of Helium One, emphasised the significance of this milestone, stated, “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.”

Project significance:

The ML offer follows the Itumbula West-1 discovery in 2023 and the submission of a feasibility study in September 2024, which highlighted the vast helium potential of the region. The approval from the MoM has allowed the full 480km² application, a substantial increase over standard ML areas typically granted for conventional mining operations. This decision reflects the geological uniqueness of the southern Rukwa Helium Project, characterised by gas-in-solution plays, extensive faulting mechanisms, and fracture networks. Including these elements within the ML area ensures Helium One can fully capitalise on the region’s helium resources.

The company continues to advance towards full-scale development, positioning itself as a key player in the global helium supply chain while contributing to Tanzania’s emerging helium industry.