The largest helium purification plant in Canada is going to be built in Saskatchewan. North American Helium Inc. is building the facility near Battle Creek in southwest Saskatchewan, near the Albert border. Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eire says, “Helium production in Saskatchewan is set to take off.” She says this plant will enable Saskatchewan to scale helium production and important export capacity.

Recent regulatory amendments introduced an expanded Provincial Sales Tax exemption for exploratory and downhole drilling activity, which includes drilling for helium.

Canada has the fifth-largest helium resources in the world with significant underground reserves in Saskatchewan. The province says that a global supply shortage has resulted in helium prices rising more than 160 per cent since 2017.

Construction is slated to begin in October with the facility to be in-service by July 2021.