US Govt Critical Material Designation for Helium

Quantum Helium Limited (AIM: QHE; OTC: QHELF) welcomes the announcement by the United States Department of Energy ("DOE") on 23 October 2026 formally designating helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020.

The designation recognises helium's essential role in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced technologies and national security, while reinforcing the strategic importance of Quantum's substantial US helium portfolio, comprising 1.104 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of independently assessed 2U gross helium resources across its Sagebrush and Coyote Wash projects in Colorado.

Based on what the Company considers to be a conservative illustrative helium selling price assumption of US$500 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), Quantum's independently assessed 1.104 Bcf gross helium resource represents a potential gross sales value of approximately US$552 million.

Highlights

• US Government formally designates helium as a critical material, recognising its strategic importance to domestic manufacturing, advanced technology and national security.
• Potential access to US Government support: The designation may also create opportunities for qualifying domestic helium developers to access relevant federal funding and support programmes.
• Quantum holds 1.104 Bcf of independently assessed 2U gross helium resources across its Colorado portfolio, independently evaluated by Sproule ERCE, positioning the Company among the largest independently assessed helium resource holders listed on the London Stock Exchange.
• Illustrative gross helium sales value of approximately US$552 million, based on what the Company considers to be a conservative helium price assumption of US$500/Mcf.
• Strategically located US assets, with a 90% working interest at Sagebrush and 100% at Coyote Wash, providing significant exposure to the development of domestic US helium supply.
• Portfolio expansion opportunities: Quantum is actively engaged in discussions regarding the potential acquisition of additional acreage to further expand its US helium footprint.
• Sagebrush stimulation programme: The Company is in the final stages of securing contractors and service providers for its planned larger-scale stimulation programme at Sagebrush-1, which remains targeted for November 2026.

US Government Recognition of Helium

Helium plays a critical role in semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, medical imaging, aerospace and other advanced technologies, with no viable substitutes in many critical applications.

The DOE highlighted that global helium demand is growing faster than production, while limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines continue to constrain US production.

The designation is intended to strengthen domestic supply chains and support the development of secure US sources of strategically important materials. It may also create opportunities for qualifying domestic helium developers to access relevant federal funding and support programmes.

Quantum's Significant Helium Resource Base

Quantum's Colorado portfolio comprises two independently assessed helium projects, Sagebrush and Coyote Wash, with combined 2U gross helium resources of 1.104 Bcf, independently evaluated by Sproule ERCE.

The Company holds a 90% working interest at Sagebrush and a 100% working interest at Coyote Wash, establishing a substantial position within the helium-prospective Four Corners region of the United States.

In addition to advancing its existing projects, Quantum is actively engaged in discussions regarding the potential acquisition of additional acreage to expand its helium exploration and development footprint within the United States. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

Sagebrush - November Stimulation Programme

Quantum continues to advance preparations for its planned larger-scale stimulation programme at the Sagebrush-1 well in Colorado.

Following the technical evaluation of the earlier extended production test, the Company is progressing a conventional propped fracture stimulation programme targeting the helium-bearing Leadville Formation.

The programme is designed to improve reservoir connectivity and deliver stronger, more sustainable flow rates, representing an important next step towards demonstrating the commercial production potential of Sagebrush.

Quantum is currently in the final stages of securing the necessary contractors and service providers, with the stimulation programme remaining targeted for November 2026, subject to final regulatory approvals and operational scheduling.

The Company will provide further updates as preparations are finalised.

Howard McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Helium, commented: "The US Government's decision to formally designate helium as a critical material is a highly significant development for our industry and particularly encouraging for companies such as Quantum, which already hold substantial independently assessed helium resources within the United States.

"Only last week, Quantum was a key sponsor of the gasworld Helium Super Summit in Houston, where the case for recognising helium as a critical material was a prominent topic of discussion. The conference included a dedicated presentation on the case for adding helium to the US critical materials list, making the Department of Energy's announcement just two days later particularly encouraging.

"With more than 1.1 billion cubic feet of independently assessed helium resources across our Colorado projects, Quantum is exceptionally well positioned within the growing US focus on securing domestic helium supply. At what we consider to be a conservative illustrative price of US$500 per thousand cubic feet, our gross resource base represents approximately US$552 million in potential gross sales value, highlighting the considerable scale of our portfolio.

"We are also actively pursuing opportunities to expand our helium footprint through the potential acquisition of additional acreage, which could further strengthen our resource and development pipeline.

"Our immediate operational focus remains firmly on Sagebrush, where we are in the final stages of securing contractors and service providers for our larger stimulation programme, which we continue to target for November. Designed to establish stronger, more sustainable flow rates, this represents an important step towards demonstrating Sagebrush's commercial potential. With the US Government's latest recognition of helium's strategic importance, we believe Quantum is entering a very exciting period in its development."