Rift Helium said the Environmental Impact Assessment for its Upepo Project in Tanzania's Rukwa Basin is now in its final stages, with completion still expected during the third quarter.
The AIM-listed company is exploring for primary helium across a 283 km² licence position in a basin that already hosts confirmed helium discoveries.
Rift said it remains fully funded for its planned work programme, which includes a 3D seismic survey and a two-well drilling campaign, with the first exploration well planned for the first half of 2027.
The National Environmental Management Council completed its site verification visit in July, and the subsequent Technical Advisory committee review concluded successfully the same month.
Rift now awaits formal committee comments before submitting its final report for certification.
The company said dry-season conditions favour mobilisation, and a receding Lake Rukwa margin is opening up more ground for survey coverage.
It added that no material long-lead items are expected to delay mobilisation, with prospective suppliers ready to respond once the EIA certificate is issued.
Seismic data is intended to rank structural closures ahead of an updated independent resource assessment targeted for the first quarter of 2027, before drilling begins.
"We remain fully funded for our planned 3D seismic programme and two exploration wells and are preparing to move into seismic acquisition once the EIA certificate has been received," said chief executive Charles FitzRoy.
