CLEAN : Helium: South Africa strikes new 'gold'

Stefano Maroni discovered helium while searching for natural gas in South Africa. Helium is crucial for modern technology, including electronics and medical devices. South Africa's helium production is significantly higher than the US, with some wells reaching unprecedented levels. Renigen plans to build a plant for helium export, contributing 7% to global production. The extraction process is environmentally friendly, avoiding fracking.

What did Stefano Maroni and his partner initially search for before discovering helium?

• Gold

• Silver

• Coal

• Natural gas

Why is helium considered a precious resource in modern technology?

• It is a key component in building construction.

• It is used in jewelry making.

• It is essential for cooling rocket engines.

• It is used in food preservation.

How does South Africa's helium concentration compare to that of the United States?

• It is lower than the US.

• It is about the same as the US.

• It is ten times higher than the US.

• It is twice as high as the US.

What is Renigen's plan for the helium they extract?

• To store it for future use.

• To export it as liquid helium worldwide.

• To use it solely for domestic purposes.

• To sell it to local industries only.

What makes Renigen's helium extraction process environmentally friendly?

• It uses wind power.

• It uses solar energy.

• It recycles all waste products.

• It does not involve fracking.