80 Mile PLC has announced a breakthrough in its exploration of the Outokumpu Belt in Finland, where it has detected high concentrations of helium at the surface for the first time.
Using a portable detector, the company, formerly Bluejay Mining, measured up to 10.7% helium from historical drill holes in the Perttilahti Area. This discovery surpasses expectations and shows the region's potential for industrial gas resources.
Previously, helium had only been found dissolved in groundwater at deeper levels, but detecting it at the surface suggests the possibility of easier, more commercially viable extraction. This marks a significant milestone for the company and could fast-track further exploration of the 40-kilometre area.
The discovery of helium isn’t the only exciting result. Analysis of a 2,480-meter-deep drill hole also revealed up to 46% geological hydrogen, further enhancing the belt’s potential as a source of industrial gases.
80 Mile plans to intensify exploration efforts by conducting more detailed sampling and deeper testing in areas with high helium concentrations. The company is also preparing a proof-of-concept study to evaluate the feasibility of extracting both helium and hydrogen from existing drill holes.
If successful, this could pave the way for commercial gas production, although the company is proceeding carefully to ensure the project’s viability.
"The detection of helium or hydrogen flowing at the surface is highly significant due to the small molecular size of these gases. Helium and hydrogen are the smallest and lightest elements, with a very low molecular weights," said 80 Mile managing director Eric Sondergaard.
"These characteristics make both gases extremely mobile and capable of escaping from subsurface reservoirs into the atmosphere over time.
"For helium or hydrogen to be detected at surface levels, there must be a sustained and significant source of these gases continuously feeding upward, suggesting the existence of large, potentially commercially viable subsurface accumulations.
"Such discoveries are rare and could potentially be tapped for commercial use, especially in the case of helium, which is a critical resource with various industrial applications, including in medical technology, space exploration, and cryogenics."