Greenland rich in minerals does not want to become a wonderful mining nation

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During an interview with Agence France -Presse, the Minister of Business at Greenland and Mineral Resources, Nathanelsen, spoke on March 6, 2025.

Odd Andersen | AFP | Gety pictures

Greenland does not care about a little bit of harnessing the capabilities of its huge resources to become the best country of mining.

The largest island in the world has been pushed to Geopolitical lights In recent months, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly saying that Washington should control the independent Danish lands – until it refused to exclude the use of military or economic power.

Trump’s endeavor to Greenland as mining executives comes Describe A largely extracted resource race on the Arctic Island as a “huge opportunity”. but, All of them were martyred in the cruel climate of Greenland, remote landscapes, and infrastructure lack as barriers to the island’s strategic capabilities.

Nathanilsen, Minister of Business at Greenland and Mineral Resources, told CNBC that the exploitation of some high -priced minerals in the region is “completely possible and life”, noting that many mining projects are already ongoing.

“We have projects that I think are very promising: graphite, copper, copper, nickel, molybdenum, etc.,” CNBC told CNBC.Squawk Box EurobeFriday.

“But for Greenland, we are not necessarily interested in becoming a really wonderful mining country. We really want 5 or 10 active mines at any specific time,” Nathanelsen said.

She added: “We are a very young population, so, for us, we do not need the entire country covered with mines. We are happy to manage a few and I think this is possible.”

Greenland, which currently includes only active mines on the island, has long laid itself as a Western Service alternative Near monopoly On rare land elements.

In fact, 2023 reconnaissance Through the geological survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEU), I found that 25 of 34 metals recognized as critical raw materials by the European Commission were found in Greenland.

These minerals include graphite, molybdinum and Titanium, which are all expected to play a major role in Axis To the most sustainable energy sources.

Mining operations

Earlier this week, the Critics Corporation Declare It has received a benefit from the US export and import bank for a loan of up to $ 120 million to finance the company’s Tanbreez Rare Earth mine in South Greenland.

It is worth noting that the financing package was distinguished by the first investment abroad in the Trump administration in a mining project.

In this air view, the ice mountain mountain, Illissat Icefjord on July 16, 2024, is near Ilulissat, Greenland.

Sean Gallup Getty Images News | Gety pictures

Greenland authorities also recently consent A 30 -year mining permit for a French Danish mining group to exploit anorthosite, an aluminum rich rock, at a location in West Greenland.

Separately, Eldur Olafsson, CEO of Amaroq, which focuses on Greenland as a “amazing country” to work in it.

“The geology is so that Greenland traveled all over the world during a geological time and went everywhere – which means that it has exposure to most mineral resources,” O Olafon told CNBC.Europe early edition“Thursday.

“It has a great specialty regarding the organization. It depends on the principles of the North and the law.”

A general view of a residential area in Nok, Greenland, on March 10, 2025, on the eve of parliamentary elections in Greenland, the independent Danish region. Two days of the storm and moderate weather torn the political posters of the functional and snow in the capital of Greenland.

Odd Andersen | AFP | Gety pictures

In response to a question about how the possibility of the United States in Greenland could affect the operations and expectations of the company, Oldonon said that the fate of Greenland is to choose Greenland.

“In the end, I think Greenland will most likely become an independent country, with the support of the northern European countries and with the support of the United States, just like Iceland,” said Oldson.

Learning from the past

Nathanilsen of Greenland said the region has environmental, social and “very high” governance standards (ESG), partly due to its previous issues with mining pollution.

“I think people in Greenland really support the mining industry, which is rare when you look at other judicial states. But they do this because they trust that we have a high environmental level and care for local communities.”

“If we start to fold it, we will also lose people’s support for this industry. For us, this is really important. Therefore, I think we have learned from the past.”



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