Flying high: US discovers “dream” helium deposit

Scientists have announced a “dream” discovery of a high-concentration helium gas deposit in Babbit, Minnesota. It’s potentially one of the largest, purest deposits ever found and could be a solution to an ongoing helium shortage. Helium is not just for party balloons. Its extremely low boiling point (-268.9C) makes it an ideal liquid coolant, used in MRI machines, nuclear reactors and semiconductor manufacturing. There are only a few sites in the world where it can be harvested from natural gas. The US was once the dominant global exporter, but the government has gradually sold off its strategic reserve since 1995 as demand has grown. It privatised the remainder of the stockpile this January, despite warnings from medical industry trade groups that any domestic supply chain disruption could leave the US dependent on other countries – Russia and Qatar have the biggest helium reserves outside North America. Scientists are now conducting feasibility studies on the new deposit. If viable, it could grant the US helium independence again.