Tanzania prepares for full-scale helium production

SONGWE: HELIUM One has paid over 100m/- in compensation to residents of five villages in Momba District, Songwe Region, as it prepares for full-scale exploration and production activities.

The beneficiaries include residents from Itumbula, Lwatwe, Masanyinta, Mkonko and Muungano villages, who voluntarily surrendered land for the historic project that aims to position Tanzania among the world’s leading helium producers.

During a field visit by officials from the Ministry of Minerals and journalists, Helium One’s Site Operations Supervisor, Mr Emmanuel Ghachocha, confirmed that all compensation had been paid in full accordance with Tanzanian laws and regulations.

He stressed the company’s commitment to ensuring that local communities benefit significantly from the ongoing and future phases of the project.

“One of our core priorities has been community education,” Mr Ghachocha said. “We wanted local residents to understand the value of helium, how it is extracted and how it can benefit their community and the country at large.”

The project, initiated in 2015 following the establishment of Helium One, has already achieved significant milestones, including seismic surveys and the drilling of exploration wells.

Exploration efforts have successfully identified helium at a depth of 1.14 kilometres underground at the Itumbula West 1 and Tai 3 wells.

Mr Ghachocha revealed that the results from the Itumbula West 1 well showed a significant concentration of helium gas above the well, with a high purity level of 7.9 per cent, generating renewed optimism for more in-depth exploration.

The project is expected to span over a decade, offering long-term development prospects for both the Songwe Region and Tanzania as a whole.

On behalf of the Momba District Council, Kamsamba Ward Councillor and Council Vice-Chairman, Mr Kyalambwene Kakwale, confirmed that all affected residents had been fully compensated.

“Everyone, including farmers and residents from Itumbula and Kamsamba villages, has received their due compensation. There are no complaints from any ward, including Msamba and Ivuna,” he said. He also praised the district leadership and land officials for ensuring transparency and fairness throughout the compensation process.

Mr Kakwale further urged Helium One to continue collaborating closely with local government authorities and to invest in social development projects for surrounding communities.

Residents of Momba District expressed gratitude to both the sixth-phase government and Helium One for honouring their compensation commitments.

“We had our doubts at first, but now we are grateful. We received our dues and can already see the potential impact this project will have on our village,” said Mr Suleiman Mwashiuya, a longtime resident of Itumbula.

“This is a historic project. Beyond the compensation, we are hopeful that our youth will gain employment and that services such as roads and water supply will improve,” he added.

Globally, helium production is dominated by the United States, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. However, as reserves in these countries continue to deplete and the demand for helium rises especially in the medical, aerospace and technology industries Tanzania is well-positioned to become a reliable and strategic supplier.

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The successful development of Songwe’s helium reserves is seen as a promising milestone for Tanzania’s extractive sector, bringing significant economic potential not only to the Songwe Region but to the nation as a whole.