Avanti Helium pushes for He as critical mineral

Executive Summary

• Avanti Helium Corp. is urging the U.S. government to formally designate helium as a critical mineral to address rising geopolitical supply risks and secure North American production.
• The company highlights a structural supply deficit driven by declining U.S. domestic production (down to 68M cubic meters in 2024) and accelerating global demand, while emphasizing helium's indispensable role in national security, semiconductors, aerospace, and healthcare.
• Avanti points to its Sweetgrass helium project in Montana, expected to enter production in 2026, as a key domestic supply source that could mitigate reliance on geopolitically sensitive foreign markets and support U.S. strategic industries.

Key Details

• U.S. domestic helium production declined from approximately 82 million cubic meters in 2020 to 68 million cubic meters in 2024.
• Global helium supply is heavily concentrated in Qatar and Russia, increasing exposure to geopolitical and trade disruptions.
• The Federal Helium Reserve has been sold to a foreign company, with supplies depleting and global demand forecast to nearly double over the next decade.
• Avanti's Sweetgrass helium project in Montana is expected to enter production in 2026, targeting the U.S. market.
• Helium is deemed essential for semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, space launch systems, MRI, advanced manufacturing, scientific research, quantum computing, rocket propulsion, missile systems, defense research, nuclear detection, naval operations, and battlefield communications.
• Avanti previously submitted a formal request to the U.S. Department of the Interior and USGS to list helium as a critical mineral under the Energy Act of 2020, citing its indispensable role, supply chain vulnerability, and lack of substitutes.
• The company argues that expanding North American helium production is critical for long-term U.S. supply security, economic competitiveness, and defense readiness.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Bakker, CEO: "Helium is not just an industrial gas -- it is a strategic resource that underpins critical industries across the U.S. economy, from health care and semiconductors to aerospace and national defence."
• Chris Bakker, CEO: "With global supply increasingly concentrated in geopolitically sensitive regions, the United States must prioritize the development of secure domestic and North American helium supply."
• Chris Bakker, CEO: "Projects like Sweetgrass represent a rare opportunity to strengthen U.S. supply security while supporting industries that are essential to economic growth and national security."