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- calendar_today October 15, 2026
Major Helium Facility Launches in Stewart Valley
North American Helium has officially opened the largest helium purification facility in Canada, located near Stewart Valley in southwest Saskatchewan. The facility, which began operations on October 15, 2026, is set to make a significant impact on the province's helium industry and overall resource sector.
Increase in Saskatchewan’s Helium Output
According to North American Helium and the provincial Ministry of Energy and Resources, the Stewart Valley facility is expected to produce approximately 73 million cubic feet of helium each year. This increase will boost Saskatchewan's annual helium output by more than 40 percent. The expansion aligns with the province's objective of capturing 10 percent of the global helium supply by 2030.
Helium’s Role in Key Industries
Helium is a crucial component in several vital sectors, including medical, defense, space exploration, and advanced manufacturing. Deric Orton, North American Helium's vice-president of land and stakeholders, highlighted its applications in MRI machines, cryogenics, superconducting technologies, and rocketry. The purified gas from Stewart Valley, processed to 99 percent helium, will be transported to liquefaction facilities in the United States for further use in these industries.
Innovative Extraction and Processing
The facility processes gas primarily composed of nitrogen and a small amount of helium sourced from more than 120 wells drilled in Saskatchewan over the past decade. After collection, the mixture is piped to the Stewart Valley facility, where it undergoes heating, filtration, and compression until it reaches the required purity level. North American Helium has invested $700 million in its operations across the province.
Economic Impact and Future Plans
CEO Nicholas Snyder projects that the facility could generate $30 million in royalties for Saskatchewan. Snyder described helium extracted from the region’s underground nitrogen fields as a reliable supply, especially amid global shortages driven by conflict in the Middle East. The company plans to build a helium liquefying facility in Swift Current, which would be a first for Canada. This next step aims to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen the region’s helium industry.
Helium’s Critical Mineral Status
Both provincial officials and company leaders are advocating for helium to be recognized as a critical mineral at the federal level. Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley emphasized the potential for future regional growth, while Minister of Energy and Resources Chris Beaudry noted Saskatchewan's unique resources compared to the rest of Canada. There is an ongoing push for the federal government to include helium among the 15 critical minerals eligible for an exploration tax credit.
Source: cbc.ca.
