Helium Forum will explore opportunities in growing field of interest

Pockets of helium spread out across Southwest Saskatchewan may be useful in helping lessen a global shortage of helium.

Swift Current and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Helium Forum on March 4, with a growing list of potential attendees from around the world.

“We’ve had interest from people from Australia. Interest from people from Japan,” explained Karla Wiens, Chief Executive Officer of the Swift Current and District Chamber of Commerce. “So we’re going to have people from the Ministry of Energy and Resources, government representatives, North American Helium, one of the doctors from Saskatoon regarding processing plants and recovery process.”

Helium has been produced in the Swift Current area since 1963, when a plant built by Canadian Helium Inc. came on stream and began producing 12 million cubic feet of grade “A” helium. That plant ceased operations in 1977, but Canadian Helium Inc. began exploring for helium and industrial gases again in 2010 and by June 2014 full scale production was again occurring at the location.

In August 2016, the Weil Group opened a $12 million helium plant near Mankota to bring an expanded helium production presence in the Southwest.

Helium is an important growing opportunity because of scarcity of the chemical element around the world.

“It’s not just balloons, it’s MRI machines and all of the different uses for it. It’s huge. It’s very hard to get at. It is good potential here and a burgeoning new industry for us.”

Helium has a variety of laboratory and scientific uses as well as being commonly used in MRI machines.

Wiens said the Helium Forum was first proposed this past fall when Ron Rosvold approached the Chamber about the potential of helium in the

Southwest.

Confirmed speakers include:

Melina Yurkowski from Ministry of Energy and Resources, speaking on geological assessments, marketing grades and potential and pricing going forward.

Vance Blydo from North American Helium about exploration currently underway, future plans and investment opportunities.

Dr. Ovi Marin, processing plants and recovery processes, liquefaction process and the potential for a facility in the Southwest.

A government representative will also be speaking about regulations, permitting, incentives, and giving a future vision for the industry.