BABBITT, Minn. — Minnesota is one step closer to having a helium mine in the Iron Range. Helium was accidentally discovered years ago outside Babbitt, and it could be one of the richest helium reservoirs in the world.
“When we see the flow readings on this and we have these next steps, we’ll be very, very happy,” Michael Sturdy said.
Sturdy is operational manager of Pulsar heliuma global team of scientists and engineers who successfully excavated nearly half a mile in February to create a reservoir of helium gas. Since then, crews have lined the hole, capped it and then installed special equipment that works like a crane.
“This is a critical step because the pressure test and flow build calculations will go to reservoir engineers, and they can calculate whether we have a larger resource than what we were originally looking at,” Sturdy said.
What is already known is that the helium market has grown to billions of dollars worldwide and supply is limited. When converted into a liquid, helium safely cools everything from rocket ships to MRI machines and R&D equipment in the U.
The US used to be a major supplier of helium, but that is no longer the case. That’s why a helium mine smack dab in the middle of the country could be a gold mine.
AJ Cardenas grew up in Minnesota and has family in Babbitt, making him one of Pulsar’s first local employees.
“I think it’s more for everyone, more than just local,” Cardenas said. “If these sources can produce what they hope they can produce, I think it means more on a global and national level.”
Pulsar executives estimate another year or two of testing before possibly building a production facility.
“There’s not necessarily a generic helium plant at the well site. It has to be tailored to the well you have, the gas composition and the pressures and velocities we’re looking at,” Sturdy said.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has no regulations on mining gas, but state lawmakers just passed a bill to change that. Drafting those rules and how to enforce them could take a few years.
