Huge News Out of Minnesota: Exploratory Drill Has Discovered What Is Likely the Biggest Find in North America to Date
A recent discovery of underground helium in Minnesota has the potential to become one of the largest helium finds globally, as reported by Minneapolis’s WCCO-TV on Thursday.
The drill site, located just outside Babbitt in the northeastern part of the state, achieved a depth of 2,200 feet in about a month from breaking ground. Pulsar Helium CEO Thomas Abraham-James referred to the findings as "a dream," with a helium concentration of 12.4%, approximately 30 times higher than the industry standard and surpassing the company's own projections.
Abraham-James expressed the excitement surrounding the discovery, stating, “There was a lot of screaming, a lot of hugging and high fives. It’s nice to know the efforts all worked out and we pulled it off.”
While further analysis is required, the recent findings align with work completed in 2011, confirming the presence of helium deep beneath the surface, according to the Duluth News Tribune.
Typically, companies seek helium concentrations above 0.3%, and Pulsar Helium aims to determine the extent of the find and the feasibility of a full-scale mining operation, a process that could take up to a year, according to the company's statement to WCCO.
The Topez Project, as the drill site is named, was initially planned to reach a depth of 2,250 feet but had to cease earlier due to "abnormally warm temperatures and looming road weight restrictions."
To facilitate additional sampling and testing, a device resembling a "glorified fire hydrant" will be installed over the hole, explained Abraham-James.
The discovery traces back to 2011 when a crew from Duluth Metals found helium in the area while originally searching for platinum-palladium metals.
Helium holds significant value in various applications, from filling balloons to serving as a safe coolant in liquid form. It plays a crucial role in medical equipment such as MRI machines, semiconductor manufacturing, leak testing, air tanks for medical and deep-sea diving, as well as in the aerospace and defense industries.
Republican state Rep. Roger Skraba expressed optimism about the discovery, emphasizing its potential economic impact on the region. He stated, “Helium is an incredibly important gas that is needed for a variety of modern products, and I am hopeful that we can source this gas and process it right here in the Northland in the very near future.”