He made the remarks during a tour of the site, which forms part of the country’s first onshore natural gas exploration and helium liquefaction venture.

Describing the initiative as a key milestone for SA’s energy and mineral development ambitions, Mantashe emphasised the strategic importance of exploiting local gas and helium resources to stimulate economic growth and improve the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“In the world. I’m saying potentially because anything that is a deposit is potential until exploited,” said Mantashe. “So this plant is hosting possibly the richest helium deposit in the world and therefore there’s a lot of wealth for the country. It is one of the major onshore gas exploration and exploitation projects.”

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--