Tanzanians see helium benefits before project starts production

MOMBA, SONGWE: TANZANIA’S Southern Highlands regions continue to reap benefits from a rare and highly valuable resource—helium—even before the first drop has been commercially extracted.

Helium One Global Ltd. (HE1), the company behind the Rukwa Helium Project located in the Rukwa Rift Basin, has not only made significant strides towards becoming a major global producer of helium but has also left a lasting mark through an extensive range of community development initiatives under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

According to the Site Operations Manager for Helium One, Mr Emmanuel Ghachocha, the company has already spent over 150m/- on various social development projects, particularly in the health and education sectors across villages such as Itumbula, Ivuna, Mpapa, and Kamsamba in Momba District.

“Even though production has not yet started, we have ensured the project touches lives,” he said, highlighting the company’s commitment to community well-being.

In the 2021/22 financial year, the company contributed 55m/- towards rehabilitation and improvement of ward-level schools.

 In 2022/23, another 54m/-  was used to complete the construction of Mkoko Dispensary.

“We found the building incomplete—just a shell—so we finished the construction, built toilets, and installed an incinerator,” Mr Ghachocha noted. “Thanks to our Director, the facility even received a health officer, and it is now operational.”

This year, HE1 has spent an additional 20m/- to purchase medical equipment and drugs for distribution across project-affected areas.

Furthermore, following heavy rains in February 2025 that destroyed crops and displaced over 15 households in Ivuna Ward and Itumbula Village, the company provided emergency relief valued at nearly 13m/-, including food and building material.

Mr Ghachocha also emphasised the company’s collaboration with about 10 local firms in implementing project activities. These include food and catering providers, fuel suppliers, transporters, and road construction companies.

“Roughly 80 per cent of our project support services were offered by local companies,” he said.

The project has also provided short-term employment to residents and trained youth in technical skills, some of whom remain employed by the company.

ALSO READ: Tanzania sees fortune in high-priced helium

“These are opportunities that benefit not only individuals but also the wider community and nation. Our presence here is integrated with the surrounding society,” Mr Ghachocha added.

Significantly, these efforts align with Tanzania’s legal framework on mineral investments. In 2017, the Government, through the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments), Act No. 7 of 2017, amended the Mining Act [Cap. 123 R.E. 2019], requiring all mineral rights holders to prepare and submit CSR plans based on guidelines issued by local government authorities.

Although CSR is legally expected to begin once a mining operation reaches the production stage—since it’s derived from project profits—HE1 has gone above and beyond by implementing robust community support initiatives during the exploration phase.

Meanwhile, the Songwe Regional Mining Officer (RMO), Geologist Chone Malembo, commended HE1 for initiating CSR activities even before the commencement of production.

“According to mining regulations, investors are expected to start CSR contributions only after production begins, as it comes from profits. HE1 has done this ahead of schedule, mainly to secure a social licence from the community,” said Mr Malembo.

He affirmed that the project had already improved lives across the entire Momba District, particularly in the areas of health and education.

“Once production begins, the lives of the residents in Momba District Council will improve significantly,” he added.

Kamsamba Ward Councillor and Vice Chairman of Momba District Council, Mr Kyalambwene Kakwale, hailed the project’s positive impact on the Rukwa Valley and the entire Kamsamba Division.

“The HE1 investors have greatly supported several wards in our district. Each of the four affected wards received more than 10m/- in development aid. I commend the project leaders for transforming lives here. Their support brings honour to us as leaders and hope to our communities,” he said.

Currently, Helium One has drilled four wells, with Itumbula West-1 and Tai-3 showing the most promising results.

The Itumbula-1 well, in particular, recorded a helium production rate of 7.9 per cent and surface helium concentrations of 5.5 per cent, considered impressive by industry standards.

As Tanzania positions itself on the global helium map, the groundwork laid by HE1 in community development sets a strong foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.