Noble Helium lodges application for WA exploration permit

• Exploration permit application in the Southern Carnarvon Basin
• Proposed exploration permit extends across the Merlinleigh Sub-basin
• Application follows extensive groundwater bore sampling program
• Testing positively indicated presence of naturally occurring helium and hydrogen

Noble Helium (ASX: NHE) has lodged an application with the Western Australia Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) for an onshore exploration permit to target hydrogen and helium in the Southern Carnarvon Basin in WA.

The exploration permit application is located with SPA 44 AO is one of three Special Prospecting Authorities held by Noble Helium (one of which has been provisionally granted) following the successful acquisition of 100% of Earth Source Hydrogen (ESH) in September 2026.

The proposed exploration permit, Merlinleigh, extends across the Merlinleigh Sub-basin and the Gascoyne Platform covering an area of approximately 7,760 sq. km. Both regions have highly attractive elements of prospectivity for helium and hydrogen and share a likely source associated with basin margin faults and a deep-seated ancient basement magmatic arc.

The application follows detailed geological work and independent analysis of data gathered from the extensive groundwater bore sampling program conducted across SPA 44 in 2026 that identified elevated helium and hydrogen measurements.

“The groundwater bore survey undertaken in SPA 44 by Earth Source Hydrogen and completed earlier this year has delivered some very encouraging results in terms of elevated helium and hydrogen measurements, which bodes well for prospectivity in the region,” executive chairman, Dennis Donald, said.

“Applying for an Exploration Permit is the first step in understanding the potential of the Merlinleigh block and we have submitted a work program that will significantly increase our understanding of the unique geological characteristics of this region and its potential for helium and hydrogen resource development.”

Mr Donald told shareholders the successful acquisition of 100% of ESH in September 2026 provided Noble Helium with a suite of three large onshore exploration assets in WA’s Southern Carnarvon Basin.

Straddling the Yilgarn Craton and western sedimentary basins, the geology of the ESH blocks exhibits a range of factors that indicate the potential for significant helium and hydrogen resources.

Noble Helium is is also testing a large-scale, geo-politically independent source of helium in Tanzania’s East African Rift System.

The company believes its North Rukwa Project has the potential to reduce global supply chain fragility and supply-demand imbalance for this scarce, tech-critical and high value industrial gas.

NHE was steady at 2.8¢ with a Mkt cap of $34.91M.

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