Very quickly, and no firm conclusions as yet, this is Itumbula yesterday
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53658965139/in/dateposted-public/
Compare with images over previous weeks here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53647475594/in/dateposted-public/
and equipment present at the pad over the last month or so appears to have been removed from Itumbula SE in the last 5 days, as much of the pad is now clear and looks much "cleaner". Comparison with Itumbula W over previous weeks suggests that much equipment remains there, but will have to look in more detail later to be sure
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53647599215/in/dateposted-public/
Tai-3 looks a little more interesting, an area just to the east of the pad looks like it has been cleared over that last month or so, comparisons here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53658940869/in/dateposted-public/
At present I'd view this as normal agricultural activity, too early to suggest otherwise, but two things hint, but only hint that this might not be so, firstly last year construction at Tai commenced around end April, secondly a large area of cleared ground is unusual at this time of year, see this area image
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53658813893/in/dateposted-public/
however the boundaries of the cleared area may match existing field boundaries
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/52981162436/in/dateposted-public/
Really need a few more good pictures to be sure that there is or is not any He1 related activity here
Part 1
Just a quick update on activity around Itumbula over the last month or so. This is images of Itumbula SE between 1-3-24 and 11-4-24.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53647475594/in/dateposted-public/
As I speculated earlier some of the accommodation/office containers shown as white were removed around early March, as the most recent images confirm that their "footprint "is now much smaller, In addition the light brown pad area on 1-3-24 was much darker on 11-3-24 indicating heavy vehicle movements (probably associated with the removal of the containers), in the subsequent images it gets lighter indicating movements have stopped. But the pad, on 10-4-24 apart from the containers now looks similar to the 1-3-24, so it looks like only the containers have been removed and nothing else since 11-3-24.
This is Itumbula W on the same dates
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53647599215/in/dateposted-public/
again movements early March with equipment being removed, but not the white containers, and nothing since mid March, although the most recent image is partly obscured by cloud shadow. From Twitter it looks like Lorna and the team were in Tanzania for several days around the first full week in April. I can't help but feel that Zak Mir may have got wind of this visit and timed his pump and dump to coincide with the period immediately prior to this.
However it was this tweet that caught my eye "Helium One
@Heliumone1
·
10 Apr
"Here, our #HE1 CEO and Director of Operations meeting with Dr. Vedast Makota (Director of Licensing and Information Systems) and Eng. Aziza Swedi (Manager of Mining Cadastre) of the Mining Commission "
Cont/...
Cont/...
Reason being that there appear to have been some important changes to the Tz Mining Cadastre Portal in recent weeks. firstly a new helium licence has been applied for on the other side of Lake Rukwa by the Kom Mining company, here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53647599515/in/dateposted-public/
Secondly and perhaps more intriguingly the licence applications held by Helium Rift Valley Limited, mainly from around 2016/7, applied for, approved but not issued now appear to have been transferred into the hands of the Mining Commission itself.
Around Rukwa they are basically along the rift south of Nobles areas extending around 50km S of our licences here -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53642228242/in/dateposted-public/
To give an idea of scale He1 holds 18 licences, with another 9 "secret" applications at Eyasi. Helium Rift Valley had 54 applications, they retain 1, 2 are now modified, 51 are in the hands of the Mining Commission - those are the chaps LB met earlier this month and tweeted about. Why meet and tweet the chap who draws the maps for the Mining Commission? It isn't just helium licences they've taken over it is some other older applications also, but HRV have, it appears, lost most of their applications and presumably they are now available to be doled out by the Mining Commission. The extent of the Mining Commission controlled areas around Eyasi are here edged light blue, (oil licence area is coloured, seismic hatched red, He1 licences and applications highlighted within the oil licence area) although by no means are all helium licences (in fact many are for other commodities, and would not be appropriate, under present theory for helium mining)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53653213365/in/dateposted-public/
No firm conclusions as to what is going on behind the scenes, they could have taken over the licences for a number of reasons, but if you are looking for licences then I guess it helps to keep in with the Mining Commission.
Maybe that tweet was a hint.
Butterfly, glad you liked it. i've done a number of versions, experimenting, and I think I am getting better.
I'm sure that there is an old joy stick in the garage somewhere, boxed up in all the kids stuff. I'm sure i'll get a smoother "fly through" with that so I'll have to dig it out and get it back into action. I think I can also switch the various layers on and off as the camera orbits over a certain point to highlight various areas/aspects, one of the problems is that with several layers overlapping you lose some or quite a bit of the detail . So I've got some practising to do!
This is an earlier version, similar but brings out slightly different detail in the rift valley and licences at Eyasi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EoOsuAi2rE
Just a bit of fun (lest people take things far too seriously) this is an overflight of the Rukwa/Eyasi area using google Earth, information from He1 and noble and various learned geologist type people.
Should add it starts off at the North end of Lake Malawi, where Noble has licences, up past the Geothermal drill site, Rungwe volcanoes, and Mbeya, North along Lake Rukwa, He1, Noble then East to Eyasi/Balangida, although Balangida is so small you barely notice it, then back over North Rukwa and then South to the starting point.
Should also add that at present I'm out of He1 having taken the roller coaster from around 10p to 28p thence to .19p and back up to 3p.
The possible need for funding puts me off at present. Love the project don't love the share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM81XABTU20
PS. I am very much an amateur movie maker, watch for those hairpin turns. Not quite as good quality as i would have hoped but will try to improve it when I get a chance.
How Eyasi relates to Rukwa
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53622926050/in/dateposted-public/
Part 2
Rather interestingly the only areas now not subject to applications are those which form the route of the East Africa pipeline, and smallish areas to the west, north and south of He1's new applications. are these areas being kept clear for a reason, whereas everywhere else has been snapped up?
Whereas the original gold licence applications did impinge of He1 application areas the latest applications are careful not to overlap He1 applications.
Also thinking generally this is a theorised interpretation of the sources of the helium at Rukwa pre Itumbula W
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53291973974/in/dateposted-public/
but bearing in mind the theorised seal trapping system does not appear to exist as outlined here, and the helium appears to be flowing directly from the basement, maybe they need a new model?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53291973974/in/dateposted-public/
This maybe why He1 is now taking so long to release new news are the original interpretations may have been quite wrong. Noble of course say they have a trap and sea.l
Just following on from the post around a week ago regarding the geothermal drilling in our region, due to start next month I've now identified the exact location of the drill site. It is here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53622466843/in/dateposted-public/
on an image from Google Earth taken on 23-10-2023 and is actually on the flanks of the Ngozi Volcano. How this relates to the He1 and Noble licences and our wells is here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53622254891/in/dateposted-public/
and here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53622701645/in/dateposted-public/
in the last image the yellow triangles are volcanoes, orange circles earthquakes M4+ from 1900onwards, crosses are below M4 earthquakes, blue tears are hot springs. This also gives an overview of the volcanic province and licences
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53614875751/in/dateposted-public/
Rukwa is generally cloudy atm so no good Sentinel imagery, although the satellite passed over Rukwa a couple of hours ago, but the weather satellite suggests it was probably cloudy again. will check later.
I don't think I've posted this before but it is a comparison of the licence maps at Eyasi, that on the left 17-11-23 and on the right 24-3-24. Quite a few new gold licences have been granted over the last 6 months, but none over overlapping licence areas with He1. Areas which were empty of licence applications 6 months ago, top centre and lower left have now filled up with applications. In fact when He1 made its applications in Feb 2023 (edged green) probably half this area wasn't subject to any applications at all, so He1 did well getting in there then as very few areas are now not subject to any applications - was that a coincidence or not - as outlined earlier He1 made its applications all in the week following DM's departure. The maps are in the region of around 75km x 175km.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53610765451/in/dateposted-public/
Surely the delisting is designed to ensure that no one else apart from Roxi comes in on the fundraise, unless it is someone who is prepared to wait many years before being able to exit?
This is a nice video of the geothermal project, issued today. Drilling in May.
Of interest is that the geothermal licences are just a few km away from some of Nobles helium licences around 100km South of Itumbula.
As the Tz drilling will go to around 1200 metres, (not sure if that will reach basement) what are the chances they will bring up some helium with the hot water?
Can't post a map of the area atm, but will try tomorrow evening.
And why can't He1 do video's like this?
https://twitter.com/TGDCTanzania/status/1772676247983640824?t=sLADVwCrmiN6BR3Oq1KHvg&s=19
News from 22-3-2024
https://www.sondrel.com/newsroom/sondrel-reports-increasing-customer-demand-for-its-3nm-design-service
Nice tick up on a 10 share trade.
Presumably the resolutions are now passed and an RNS incoming.
Finance incoming very shortly.
"Decent contract however the annual production revenue doesnt amount to much."
Indeed, but that could be the price of getting all the upfront costs paid in advance at a time when the company was close to insolvency - not that I ever expected it to go into insolvency.
I can imagine a situation in which quite a few customers were holding back contracts etc fearful that insolvency could take place, most managers wouldn't take the risk.
I would expect now that risk has been removed, the contracts to start flowing in, and on better terms as the company moves forward.
No coincidence that this announcement comes out today.
The vote should be a slam dunk, with director holdings of 45%. So I expect no problems with the fundraise, and it to be completed this week.
For the most part large holders seem to be loyal, and I expect a flurry of announcements in the coming few weeks. Today is just a taster. The shares price has been 'held back' by the placing, Hopefully after today the brakes will be released.
Maybe for Sondrel fully funded design contracts are the way forward, effectively a no lose situation for Sondrel.
Just a quick update on my present thoughts - Sentinel today
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53602118305/in/dateposted-public/
this is Itumbula SE 20, 10 and 0 days ago, and this is it annotated by me
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53601861453/in/dateposted-public/
it looks to me that the equipment that appeared to have been moved from Itumbula W (where the well was) to I SE has now left I SE as the pad looks almost clear. The number of white containers may also have diminished, as they now look less distinct. Unfortunately I W was obscured by cloud so you can't say that they haven't been taken back there, but maybe both I pads are now clearer than they have been for some time past, only another set of images revealing both pads will confirm.
There may also be further activity at Nobles Base Camp as an image 3 days ago revealed a boat moored nearby
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53596770777/in/dateposted-public/
This is reminiscent of Noble surveying in 2022, the boat appeared to have moved today, but again we need more images to confirm. This could well tie in with the Tz Mining Portal revealing this
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53561927247/in/dateposted-public/
Noble could be about to apply for more licences as Reserved 4 month Areas have appeared next to their present licences, they may be surveying prior to making applications - maybe?
And on the Tz Mining Portal concerning Eyasi Greta Greenfields applied for some Gold Mining licences over areas for which He1 had applied for helium licences. Greta was granted the licences on 4-3-24 but was knocked back on the areas for which He1 had already applied see here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53590990804/in/dateposted-public/
Now Greta ain't just any old outfit but is part of Anglo Ashanti listed on the NYSE etc, a $9Bn company, so it could just be a timing issue, or...He1's applications have priority. This is how the licences overlapped
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53593048518/in/dateposted-public/
Now if He1 is going to go to Eyasi (and it is purely my conjecture at present where are they likely to drill, or rather what areas need to be watched for unannounced activity? This is a working project, but based on a few paramenters there may only be a few places which He1 can drill with its owned rig, which can go to 2500M. This is a depth map of Eyasi
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53602149031/in/dateposted-public/
if they wish to reach basement then much of the basin is out of reach. If one further define drilling areas as based on a 2D seismic line, within He1's applied licence areas, shallower than 2500 metres then there are only a limited number of areas which need watching.
Continued...
If one further define drilling areas as based on a 2D seismic line, within He1's applied licence areas, shallower than 2500 metres then there are only a limited number of areas which need watching This is the depth map
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53601861908/in/dateposted-public/
and this is it overlaying He1's licence areas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53600780267/in/dateposted-public/
and these are the preliminary areas which I've identified for watching for any activity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53602167325/in/dateposted-public/
Of course there are a number of assumptions made they may go for an intra basin play, so as not needing to get to basement, but with what they have at Itumbula if they want the helium (as well as the chance of oil and gas) the basement looks to be an essential target. so you are looking at an elongated are in the middle of the basin and the eastern end just beyond Lake Eyasi. Don't expect any activity as yet, but come end of April things could develop.
Hope it all makes sense.
Very quiet concerning Sondrel while we wait for the EGM. Very few trades and no commentary. Odd really, IMHO.
Surprised that there has been no commentary on this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68622781
"Elon Musk's brain-chip company Neuralink has shown its first patient moving a cursor on a computer using an implanted device.
In a nine-minute livestream on X, formerly Twitter, Noland Arbaugh uses the cursor to play chess online.
Mr Arbaugh was paralysed below the shoulders after a diving accident and received the chip implant in January.
The company's goal is to connect human brains to computers to help tackle complex neurological conditions.
"The surgery was super easy," Mr Arbaugh said during the presentation.
Mr Arbaugh also said that he had used the brain implant to play the video game Civilization VI. Neuralink gave him "the ability to do that again and played for eight hours straight", he said."
Both subsidiaries of Sondrel plc, Sondrel Ltd and Sondrel Soc Solutions Ltd adopted new Articles of Association today following resolutions passed at a GM, held today.
As at least 14 days notice of a GM is required then the GM must have been called on or before 28-2-2024, which by coincidence was the date of the recent low point of the share price at 9p.
This suggests that the refinancing has been underway since before that date as the new Articles are necessary to deal with the potential requirements of Roxi. Also new charges registered against various of the companies dated 6-3-2024.
All suggests that all is going according to plan and that the refinancing has actually been underway since well before before 28-2-2024.
Otus reduced on 27-2-2024.
Briefly, and not positively conclusive by any means, new views from Sentinel yesterday. Initial interpretation is that it has rained heavily in the area over the last few days making identification of some issues difficult. But it does appear that some equipment may have now left the pad at Itumbula W
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53582072765/in/dateposted-public/
and some equipment may have arrived at the Itumbula SE pad
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53581853543/in/dateposted-public/
No change to the accommodation/office type containers. Also no real change at Tai-3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53580764717/in/dateposted-public/
although it appears vegetation is now growing on the pad. I suspect the rig is no longer at Itumbula W, whether it is at Itumbula SE, or further afield is impossible to say at present.
As to Noble there are also things happening in Rukwa, this is Nobles camp recently
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53576201912/in/dateposted-public/
clear and significant activity over the last month, much clearer in fact than activity at Itumbula. Impossible to say at this resolution what the new objects are, they look like containers, are parts of the new modular plant already there, or just better accommodation than they already had?
They actually look similar to He1 accommodation containers, here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53372150871/in/dateposted-public/
but as I say impossible to say at this resolution. By way of control this is Nobles Camp last summer, now looking very different
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53248908958/in/dateposted-public/
The right hand photo shows Noble accommodation at the beginning of October 2023. Within a month of that image all the huts/accommodation of the western half of the camp had been removed.
As to drilling these are the faults they are targeting with my interpretation of where they drilled
https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934344@N06/53351143405/in/dateposted-public/
they hit the sweet spot at around 900M, but why couldn't they hit a similar sweet spot at say 300M much shallower, where the fault is nearer the surface? The costs of this would be around £200K per well (taken from PURA costs of core drilling at Eyasi in 2020) thus making even moderate flow economic. This I think is the sort of costs Noble are looking at over the coming summer. Clearly they appear to be moving ahead with their declared summer programme.