80 Mile PLC has announced a major breakthrough in its exploration of the Outokumpu Belt in Finland, marking the first detection of high concentrations of helium at the surface.
Utilizing a portable detector, the company—formerly known as Bluejay Mining—identified up to 10.7% helium in surface samples from historical drill holes in the Perttilahti Area. This promising discovery not only exceeds initial expectations but also highlights the region’s potential for significant industrial gas resources.
Previously, helium was only found dissolved in groundwater at deeper levels. Its surface detection suggests a potentially more accessible and commercially viable extraction process. This milestone could accelerate further exploration of the 40-kilometre area.
In addition to helium, analysis of a 2,480-meter-deep drill hole revealed up to 46% geological hydrogen, further boosting the belt’s prospects as a source of industrial gases.
80 Mile plans to ramp up its exploration efforts with more detailed sampling and deeper testing in areas showing high helium concentrations. The company is also preparing a proof-of-concept study to assess the feasibility of extracting both helium and hydrogen from existing drill holes.
If successful, this could lead to commercial gas production, though the company will proceed cautiously to ensure project viability.
80 Mile managing director Eric Sondergaard commented, “The detection of helium or hydrogen at the surface is highly significant due to the small molecular size of these gases. Helium and hydrogen, being the smallest and lightest elements, have very low molecular weights, making them highly mobile and prone to escaping from subsurface reservoirs into the atmosphere over time.”
Sondergaard continued, “For these gases to be detected at surface levels, there must be a substantial and continuous source feeding upward, indicating the presence of large, potentially commercially viable subsurface accumulations. Such discoveries are rare and could offer valuable commercial opportunities, particularly for helium, which has critical applications in medical technology, space exploration, and cryogenics.”
About 80 Mile Plc:
80 Mile Plc, listed on the London AIM market, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Pink Market, is an exploration and development company focused on high-grade critical metals in Tier 1 jurisdictions. With a diversified portfolio in Greenland and Finland, 80 Mile’s strategy is centred on advancing key projects while creating value through partnerships and strategic acquisitions.
The Disko-Nuussuaq nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE project in Greenland is a primary focus for 80 Mile, developed in partnership with KoBold Metals. 80 Mile, through its wholly owned subsidiary Disko Exploration Ltd., has a definitive Joint Venture Agreement with KoBold Metals to guide and fund exploration efforts. The JV has completed intensive analysis and interpretation of the extensive geochemical, geophysical, and geological data collected during the previous exploration campaigns. Leveraging KoBold’s proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms, this comprehensive analysis has resulted in the identification of seven initial priority targets within the project area. These seven priority targets exhibit spatial characteristics indicative of potential deposits on a scale comparable to renowned mining operations such as Norilsk, Voisey’s Bay, and Jinchuan. The JV is now planning a focused ground-loop electromagnetic survey to refine and prioritize each locality appropriately.
In Finland, 80 Mile currently holds three large scale multi-metal projects through its wholly owned subsidiary FinnAust Mining Finland Oy. 80 Mile’s Finland portfolio includes the Outokumpu project, where the discovery of industrial gases like helium and hydrogen adds significant economic potential to the already prospective copper-nickel-cobalt-zinc-gold-silver targets. 80 Mile is conducting further exploration to fully assess these resources.
80 Mile’s recent acquisition of White Flame Energy expands its portfolio into the energy sector, adding large-scale licenses for industrial gas, natural gas, and liquid hydrocarbons in East Greenland. Approved by shareholders in July 2024, this acquisition diversifies the Company’s assets and aligns with its strategy to contribute to sustainable energy solutions, while also exploring conventional energy resources.
The Dundas Ilmenite Project, 80 Mile’s most advanced asset in northwest Greenland, is fully permitted and progressing towards near-term production. With a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource of 117 Mt at 6.1% ilmenite and an offshore Exploration Target of up to 530 Mt, Dundas is poised to become a major supplier of high-quality ilmenite. Recent discoveries of hard rock titanium mineralization, with bedrock samples showing nearly double the ilmenite content of previous estimates, further enhance the project’s world-class potential. 80 Mile owns 100% of the Dundas Ilmenite Project under its subsidiary Dundas Titanium A/S in Greenland.
The Thule Copper Project is a significant component of 80 Mile’s portfolio in northwest Greenland, focused on exploring and developing high-grade copper deposits within the Thule Basin in northwest Greenland. Leveraging existing infrastructure and exploration credits, the project is strategically positioned in an underexplored region with substantial mineral potential. 80 Mile’s established basecamp at Moriusaq will support cost-effective exploration, aligning with the Company’s broader strategy to secure high-quality copper and industrial gas projects.
