Greenland is emerging as a significant potential source of rare earth elements (REEs) vital for the global green economy, particularly for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics.

The island possesses substantial REE deposits, both in terms of size and critical element composition.

Estimates indicate that the Tanbreez Mining project alone holds about 19 million tons of rare earth oxides, with approximately 30% consisting of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which have higher value due to their rarity and essential properties for high-performance magnets used in electric motors and wind turbines.

This project is planned to commence extraction as soon as 2024, signaling imminent operational development.

Other notable deposits include the Surfertog Carbonatite complex, where Canadian company NEO has acquired exploration licenses, marking active international interest and investment in the region’s mineral potential.

These carbonatite complexes are known to concentrate REEs, often in commercially viable grades.

Further exploration is underway along Greenland’s west coast, such as in areas including Disco Island and the Noswak Peninsula, where companies like Kobold Metals and Bluejay Mining are investigating a portfolio of critical minerals comprising REEs, nickel, and cobalt.

These efforts benefit from the backing of high-profile global investors, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Michael Bloomberg, reflecting strong capital inflows and confidence in Greenland’s resource prospects.

This lends indication that Greenland is becoming an international hotspot for critical mineral exploration, especially for elements essential to the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors.

On the regulatory and geopolitical front, Greenland has demonstrated keen oversight and control concerning its resource development, especially regarding foreign involvement.

In 2023, Greenland revoked a mining license held by the Chinese company Junan due to inactivity and failure to meet required financial guarantees.

Additionally, Greenland imposed a ban on uranium mining during the same year, which directly halted development at Kuannersuit, one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits, partly owned by a Chinese firm.

These actions highlight Greenland’s intent to regulate mining activities, ensure financial viability, and likely reduce reliance on or influence from dominant external powers such as China, whose current dominance in the rare earth market has become a strategic concern globally.

Greenland has also sought to forge strategic international partnerships around its mineral resources.

In late 2023, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union to foster sustainable raw material value chains.

This agreement emphasizes that Greenland hosts 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified as essential for the EU’s green industrial transformation agenda.

The memorandum includes commitments to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards for resource extraction, reflecting rising global demand not only for raw materials but for responsibly sourced minerals accommodating both ecological sustainability and indigenous peoples’ rights.

Extraction and logistical challenges in Greenland are considerable due to its Arctic environment, which is characterized by severe cold, seasonal darkness, and difficult terrain.

These factors limit the operating window for mining activities and increase capital and operational expenditures.

Greenland’s infrastructure is primarily concentrated in southern regions, while many promising mineral deposits exist in remote and less accessible zones, requiring substantial investment in transport, energy, and community access.

Mining operations therefore face elevated costs compared to more temperate regions.

Nevertheless, there are efforts to mitigate environmental impacts and support mining activities with renewable energy resources.

Local developments include hydroelectric and wind power projects, which can supply clean energy to mineral extraction operations, reducing carbon footprints and aligning projects with sustainability goals.

The presence of high-grade ore deposits mitigates some environmental concerns by minimizing the volume of materials processed and waste generated compared with lower-grade sources elsewhere.

In sum, Greenland combines significant rare earth mineral resources, strategic geopolitical positioning, and growing investor interest with evolving but stringent regulatory oversight focused on sustainable development.

Notable projects such as Tanbreez represent major steps toward commercial production, while exploration continues in promising zones with strong backing.

Extraction will face Arctic-related challenges, but renewable energy integration and high-grade deposits make exploitation potentially feasible and environmentally prudent.

Greenland’s partnerships with the EU and active management of foreign mining interests suggest a controlled, strategic approach to capitalizing on its mineral wealth.

For investors, Greenland offers a compelling opportunity in a critical mineral jurisdiction poised to grow in relevance as global demand for rare earths increases.

However, potential ventures must carefully evaluate climate-related operational constraints, infrastructure requirements, and evolving regulatory frameworks.

Further sector-specific and project-specific analyses are advised to detail estimated monetary valuations, market risks, extraction costs, and timelines to inform robust investment decisions.

Greenland is emerging as a significant potential source of rare earth elements (REEs) vital for the global green economy, particularly for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics.

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Content: Greenland to mine rare earths in 2024 | Economic Horizontal | DW | 30.07.2023
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Economic stratification
Greenland to mine rare earths in 2024
According to the German "Economic Weekly" reported that a mining company has obtained permission from the Greenland government to mine rare earths on the island.
The company said production could begin next year.
Tanbreez Mining, a mining company, plans to mine rare earths in Greenland next year, according to the Economic Weekly.
“We can start production next year, ” said Greg Barnes, a geologist and owner of the company. Greenland ’ s deputy minister for minerals confirmed to the journal that a mining licence had been issued.
Barnes said the Tanbreez mine "contains more than half of the world's rare earth resources" and has 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.
Of these, 30% are highly favored heavy rare earth elements.
Rare earth contains a total of 17 kinds of metal elements, the properties of each metal are different.
Each metal has a unique industrial value.
Some of them are irreplaceable.
They are used, for example, in the manufacture of electric vehicles or wind turbines.
Last year, about two-thirds of Germany ’ s rare earths came from China. Mining such as rare earths is difficult and often harmful to the environment, as rare earths are often associated with iron ore, and the chemical process of refining often requires the use of acidic substances.
What is Rare Earth?
Barnes, owner of Tanbreez Mining, told Economic Weekly that to start mining for rare earths in Greenland, a factory would be needed to separate rare earths from heterosexual rocks.
Currently there are only such factories in Russia and China.
But one such plant will be built in the United States in the coming months.
There are also plans to build a factory in Europe.
Thanks to technological advances, the equipment that separates rare earths currently costs only $40 million.
According to Barnes, China paid 1.7 billion U.S. dollars for the equipment 13 years ago.
In January, Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB announced the discovery of Europe ’ s largest rare earth deposit to date.
But the company said it would take 10-15 years for the rare earth mine, located in Kiruna in northern Sweden, to be available to the market.
EU Plans to Diversify Rare Earth Supply Chain
(Agence France-Presse, Economic Weekly)
© 2023 Deutsche Welle Copyright Notice: All content in this article is protected by copyright law and may not be used without special permission from Deutsche Welle.
Any misconduct will lead to recovery and criminal prosecution.
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What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

The island possesses substantial REE deposits, both in terms of size and critical element composition.

Title:

Content: Greenland ban on uranium mining prevents Chinese companies from expanding rare earths
November 13, 2021 17: 33
Eastern Network Television
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As part of its Arctic strategy, China has supported the mining of rare earths in Greenland by Australia ’ s Greenland Minerals, a Chinese-owned subsidiary of Shenghe Resources, through the Belt and Road Initiative.
However, Greenland ’ s parliament passed a new law banning uranium mining and halting the development of rare earth deposits at Kuannersuit, the southern tip of Greenland.
China's rare earth mining accounts for more than 70% of the global mining volume, and China's rare earth magnetic processing volume accounts for 90% of the global processing volume.
Sungho Resources, one of the world ’ s largest producers of rare earth materials, acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals in 2016, making it the largest shareholder in the latter.
Guanast in southern Greenland is home to the world ’ s second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium after China, accounting for 10% of the world ’ s rare earth production.
Since former US President Donald Trump proposed the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, the rich rare earth resources of Guanaster in southern Greenland have attracted attention.
Greenland ’ s local parliament was elected early on April 6. In the end, the pro-environmental left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party won the election, and its leader, Mute Egede, became the new prime minister.
He declared that he would do everything in his power to stop the Guanast Rare Earth Mine project.
In response, Greenland ’ s parliament has passed a new bill aimed at banning exploration of uranium deposits, as well as other radioactive deposits such as thorium, and halting the development of rare earth deposits at the southern tip of Greenland.

What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

30% of oxides are highly sought after heavy rare earth metals

Estimates indicate that the Tanbreez Mining project alone holds about 19 million tons of rare earth oxides, with approximately 30% consisting of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which have higher value due to their rarity and essential properties for high-performance magnets used in electric motors and wind turbines.

What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

30% of oxides are highly sought after heavy rare earth metals

This project is planned to commence extraction as soon as 2024, signaling imminent operational development.

Other notable deposits include the Surfertog Carbonatite complex, where Canadian company NEO has acquired exploration licenses, marking active international interest and investment in the region’s mineral potential.

Title:

Content: A Canadian company has been granted a license to mine rare metals in Greenland.
© AP Photo / David Goldman Greenland ice melt August 3, 2017
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Toronto ’ s New Performance Materials, one of the few rare earth metal processors outside China, has obtained an exploration license in Greenland from Hudson Resources in Vancouver (Canada).
Washington - Sputnik.
“Through a special-purpose entity, NEO plans to explore and develop the Surfertog project to further diversify its global sources of rare earth ore and expand the supply chains that feed the company ’ s rare earth ore separation facility in Estonia, ” it said in a statement.
NEO CEO Constantine Karianopoulos told the New York Times that his goal was to reduce the company ’ s exposure to volatile global crude prices.
NEO buys semi-processed raw materials from Russia, the United States and Australia.
"Collects Rare Minerals"...
China enters the world of "space mining" with the launch of the first robot...
A picture.
The Surftog Carbonatite complex contains mineral deposits rich in neodymium and praseodymium, which are essential components of the rare earth permanent magnet used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, high-efficiency electric motors and pumps that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
NEO also plans to build a new permanent magnet manufacturing plant in Estonia to supply European manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles, wind turbines, and energy-efficient electric motors and pumps, the statement said.
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These carbonatite complexes are known to concentrate REEs, often in commercially viable grades.

Further exploration is underway along Greenland’s west coast, such as in areas including Disco Island and the Noswak Peninsula, where companies like Kobold Metals and Bluejay Mining are investigating a portfolio of critical minerals comprising REEs, nickel, and cobalt.

Title:

Content: AEX Gold aims to invest in Greenland through its new gold mining project

Traditionally known for its fishing and hunting industries, Greenland is fast becoming the next significant area of exploration for mining businesses. The largest island in the world, Greenland remains one of the least populated areas worldwide with 56,000 citizens, and it has sought to attract local and foreign investment across a number of new projects.

The island’s current position remains complex. A sovereign government, it is positioned under the Danish kingdom who provide grants to support its local economy. To further its independence and bolster its economy to create increased tax revenue, Greenland has embraced the exploration of new mining projects as well as utilising all the renewable and local resources it has to offer.

Rich in rare-earth minerals, gold, iron-ore, uranium, in addition to hydro and wind power, Greenland’s favourable legal framework and robust infrastructure, particularly in South Greenland, have factored into AEX Gold’s vision to explore through its Greenlandic subsidiary, Nalunaq Gold Mine, situated in the Nanortalik Gold belt, Southern Greenland.

Acquiring an existing Exploitation Licence in 2015, the company is at the advanced exploration stage of its Nalunaq property, including the previously operating Nalunaq Gold Mine.   It also holds Exploration Licences at the early exploration stage Vagar and Tartoq properties.

Hosting a high-grade NI 43-101 compliant gold resource estimate of 263k oz (inferred) at 18.7 g/t and a number of regional exploration targets, AEX Gold has undertaken three years of exploration at Nalunaq, developing an updated geological model and an extension of the main vein strike length up to 1km.

“The government is very supportive, so it's about having a sound exploration strategy. We are very much focused on that, as we have an asset package that we think we can grow and create a lot of value,” explains Chief Executive Officer, Eldur Olafsson.

Originating from Iceland, Olafsson has gained extensive experience of the local geography. Focusing on mining projects in Greenland since 2012, he has analysed the country’s potential against the backdrop of environmental responsibilities and associated legalities with partner SRK Exploration Services. Through this process, the business has turned its attentions solely towards gold exploration.

“The known gold deposits in Greenland are in an area where the climate is mild and, given our experience, logistics are relatively easy. Gold opportunities are easier to finance than larger base metals projects and our perception was that we could fully fund projects like these through our support here in Iceland and in the UK market,” he explains.

“We started looking for opportunities in the South Greenland Gold Province and became aware of this historically producing mine. We were attracted by the extremely high-grade potential of the resource and the fact that the project had significant infrastructure in place.  We believed there were significant opportunities to materially improve the mining operation that had been run by previous operators.”

Extensive exploration

Throughout the exploration of high-grade resources, Olafsson is proud to remain hands on and is regularly seen on site. By undertaking various technical studies, AEX has gained the ability to comprehensively analyse similar types of assets with potential.  After acquiring the Nalunaq project in 2015 the company has continued to expand its portfolio. Whilst Nalunaq encompasses the required licence to explore and recommence production at the old gold mine, they own the larger Vagar exploration licence, situated a few kilometres to the west of the mine, where AEX believes the ground is prospective for the discovery of further Nalunaq-type deposits.  In addition, they also own the early stage Tartoq Project to the North West of Nalunaq. Each licence area is at a different stage of exploration which supports AEX’s aim of having a continuous pipeline of projects being brought into production.

“We have a total of 690sqkm of licences in south Greenland and we're the only active listed gold company in Greenland. Previous operators undertook very little forward-looking exploration once the mine was in production.  It's a very under-explored region so we intend to recommence production within the next two years at Nalunaq in order to support our exploration in the larger licences in the next 5-10 years,” he says.

“Iceland is a short distance from Greenland, so logistically it’s good for us. Additionally, in Iceland you need to be really self-sufficient, and the same can be said for those in Greenland. We don't have as many people or the multitude of services that you would have in other countries which encourages you to think creatively,” he adds.

Consequently, the company has sought to maximise efficiency whilst keeping costs down, yet all the time adding increased value across its operations.

By acquiring a high-grade deposit, less material is needed to be broken down, lowering AEX Gold’s carbon footprint. Everything taken out of the mine from underground will be processed and shipped out to a different processing facility, or processed on site adhering to the current environmental guidelines. Historically, electricity has been generated through the use of traditional fossil fuels, something which is steadily changing throughout Greenland.

“We're using oil to put in generators or to power mobile mining equipment which is high cost both in monetary and environmental terms.   Greenland currently has five hydroelectric power plants and they are looking at building more in south Greenland,” says Olafsson.

Seeing huge opportunities, he explains that the use of hydropower and wind power would complement AEX Gold’s operations, not only in its existing exploration activities, but with the implementation of an electric mining fleet with electricity being obtained from local renewable resources.

Providing local opportunities

In the future, it will be essential for Greenland to gain further revenue to unlock opportunities and services for its citizens. This is something Olafsson believes that AEX Gold can help with due to its knowledge of Iceland as it has many similarities to Greenland and has been through a period of comparable change.

“Greenland is in a similar position to Iceland not so long ago. Iceland didn't have a high education rate and wasn’t wealthy compared to other European countries, with economic and cultural activities that were very insular. We are now at the highest level of all parameters in terms of education, wealth per family, etc. and this has stemmed from improving the breadth of schooling and creating opportunities for people to grow and develop outside of the traditional areas of agriculture and fisheries.

“Our aim is that the majority of employees will be Greenlandic, but it will take time. Greenland has a large number of people competing for jobs in the fisheries and tourist centres. It is important that Greenlanders are able to access programmes that will allow them to consider other career options. In Iceland we are importing a lot of people to work in different industries in our country because we don't have enough people. This might be the case for Greenlanders as well if the anticipated growth of the Mining Sector materialises but we want to ensure that, where possible, we use local people first before looking elsewhere.

“The Greenlandic Government provides good support for those who seek education.  There are an increasing number of Greenlandic students attending Danish Universities so that now, for example, we are seeing well qualified Greenlandic geologists available for employment.  There has been a Mining School at Sisimiut for the last 10 years which provides local qualified labour who can take advantage of opportunities in the Mining sector.  You need skilled labour and as we own a mine that was in production for 10 years previously, there is a fair bit of local knowledge that we have been able to use during our exploration work and which we are keen to utilise going forward,” he says.

“We are creating revenue for local communities, creating highly skilled jobs, and are providing benefits where local communities can live better lives and grow as individuals. We need to create opportunities for young people.”

Additionally, by working with local businesses as well as those who have been operating in Greenland for some time, AEX has made a conscious effort to hire companies which can support its growth. AEX have therefore acquired a longstanding relationship with Cartwright Drilling, due to the company’s extensive experience in Greenland and subsequent knowledge of the island’s government systems, processes and practices.

Planning to mine high-grade resources using significant infrastructure already in place, AEX Gold holds extensive licences managed by an experienced team. Previous operations produced between 50,000 to 100,000 ounces a year at 15.4 grams/ton produced and this has provided a benchmark for the company, who will utilise this cash flow to explore the wider region in the long-term.

“We have a five-year plan where we want to get into production at Nalunaq and use the cash generated to fund exploration in the wider district.   We envisage investing a significant amount in exploration assets to provide a portfolio of different deposits that we can bring into production. We are creating a company that has a long-term mission in Greenland to build up local know how to support our aim of ramping up to very profitable production across a number of projects,” notes Olafsson.

“It will create a dramatic effect on the local community and hopefully be a springboard for unlocking much larger potential in Greenland. There are plenty of deposits that have been found, but you have to be able to develop them. You can only do that that with support and cooperation from the local people who believe in your vision.”

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These efforts benefit from the backing of high-profile global investors, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Michael Bloomberg, reflecting strong capital inflows and confidence in Greenland’s resource prospects.

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CNN reports that some of the world ’ s wealthiest people are funding large treasure hunts using helicopters and signal transmitters on Greenland ’ s west coast.
The climate crisis is causing Greenland ’ s ice to melt at unprecedented rates, ironically creating an opportunity for investors and mining companies looking for a treasure trove of important minerals capable of powering clean energy transitions.
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Search for minerals in Greenland
Many billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, are betting that what lies beneath the surface of the hills and valleys of Disco Island and Greenland ’ s Noswak Peninsula are important enough minerals to power millions of electric vehicles.
Speaking to CNN, Kobold Metals CEO Kurt House said: “We are looking for a deposition that will be the largest or second largest nickel and cobalt deposition in the world. ”
The disappearance of Arctic ice – both on land and in the ocean – highlights a unique dichotomy: Greenland is the zero point for the effects of climate change, but it could also be the zero point for the search for the minerals needed to provide solutions to this crisis.
For their part, representatives of Kobold Metals, a California-based mineral exploration company, said the billionaires ’ club is supporting the company financially.
Bezos, Gates and Bloomberg did not respond to requests from CNN for comment on the news, and Kobold Metals is partnering with Bluejay Mining to find precious and rare metals in Greenland, which are essential for building the electric vehicles and huge batteries needed to store renewable energy.
The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said Greenland could be a hot spot for coal, copper, gold, rare earth elements and zinc.
The Greenland government has conducted several assessments on ice-free land and is aware of the country ’ s “ability to diversify the national economy through mineral extraction, ” the agency said.
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This lends indication that Greenland is becoming an international hotspot for critical mineral exploration, especially for elements essential to the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors.

On the regulatory and geopolitical front, Greenland has demonstrated keen oversight and control concerning its resource development, especially regarding foreign involvement.

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Content: Friday 01 December 2023
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The world.
EU and Greenland sign strategic partnership on raw material value chains
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The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Greenland in Brussels to establish a strategic partnership to develop sustainable raw material value chains.
Greenland ’ s vast natural wealth is a key asset for reaping the benefits of global value chains, as it seeks to diversify its economy in a sustainable way, while 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified by the Commission as strategically important for European industry and green transformation can be found in Greenland.
The Executive Vice President of the European Green Deal, Enterprise Relations and Foresight of the European Commission, Maros Sivčović, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Greenland represented by the Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality, Naga Nathanelsen.
The signing of the MoU will contribute to the development of sustainable projects along the raw materials value chains and the deployment of the necessary infrastructure for their development.
The MoU provides for close cooperation between Greenland and the EU in five important areas; among which is the development of economic and industrial integration of the value chains of vital raw materials and other raw materials.
This includes networking, joint project development, creating and promoting new business models, attracting investments, supporting access to finance, facilitating business linkages, developing and integrating support for economic diversification and ensuring the smooth functioning and resilience of value chains.
Foster collaboration to leverage high environmental, social and international governance (ESG) standards, to ensure that Greenland ’ s mineral sector serves as a lever for sustainable and inclusive economic growth while creating local and local value.
This includes the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources in close dialogue with the Greenland community of individuals, organisations, institutions and other stakeholders, taking fully into account the unique nature of Greenland ’ s pristine lands and applying high environmental, social and governance standards set out in legislation, conventions, guidelines and best practices.
Deploy the infrastructure needed to develop raw material value chains.
This includes taking into account the specificities of Greenland's transport and energy infrastructure needs, taking into account Arctic or sub-Arctic conditions, and supporting the mobilization of funding for such infrastructure.
Capacity building and skills development along raw material value chains.
This includes developing skills at all levels in the raw materials industry and wider society.
Greenland is eligible to participate in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and provides Earth observation data thanks to the European Copernicus Satellite Programme which offers promising opportunities related to mineral exploration, sediment mapping and mining monitoring including waste management and environmental impact monitoring.
according to the statement.

Why AEX consider Greenland a favorable mining location?

In 2023, Greenland revoked a mining license held by the Chinese company Junan due to inactivity and failure to meet required financial guarantees.

Title:

Content: The government of Greenland, which is located in the Arctic, said on Monday it had revoked the license of a Chinese mining company to mine an iron ore deposit near the capital, Nuuk.
The move has dealt a blow to efforts by Chinese companies to gain a foothold in the resource-rich Arctic region.
China ’ s General Nice took control of the Isua mine in 2015, replacing bankrupt London Mining.
Junan became the first Chinese company to acquire mining rights in Greenland.
Greenland is an autonomous region of Denmark and is rich in minerals.
As a result of the warming climate, waterways have been opened, allowing the resources of the Arctic Island to be developed and utilized.
The Greenland government pointed out that the mine was idle and Junan did not pay the agreed guarantee and therefore withdrew its license.
Once Junan returns the license, Greenland will re-offer it to interested companies.
At present, the government of Greenland has asked Junan to return all the geological data, pay the remaining 1.5 million Danish kroner (about $226,000) of the deposit, and clean up the mine.
The London mine, which was granted mining rights in 2013, initially planned to employ 2,000 Chinese workers to mine, with a goal of supplying about 15 million tonnes of iron ore to China each year.
Greenland banned uranium mining this year, blocking mining in the Kuannersuit region, one of the world ’ s largest rare earth mines and partly owned by a Chinese company.
Junan tried to buy an abandoned naval base in Greenland from Denmark in 2016, but sources told Reuters at the time that the Danish authorities had rejected the proposal for security reasons.
# Greenland # Junan # Mining # China # Mining

What has Greenland done to undermine Chinese efforts to establish a foothold in the Arctic region?

Additionally, Greenland imposed a ban on uranium mining during the same year, which directly halted development at Kuannersuit, one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits, partly owned by a Chinese firm.

What countries are invested in Greenland Minerals corp?

What has Greenland done to undermine Chinese efforts to establish a foothold in the Arctic region?

What has Greenland's new prime minister Mute Egede pledged to do regarding Kuannersuit rare earth mining?

Which Greenland rare earth deposits has its Parliament prohibited from developing?

These actions highlight Greenland’s intent to regulate mining activities, ensure financial viability, and likely reduce reliance on or influence from dominant external powers such as China, whose current dominance in the rare earth market has become a strategic concern globally.

Greenland has also sought to forge strategic international partnerships around its mineral resources.

In late 2023, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union to foster sustainable raw material value chains.

This agreement emphasizes that Greenland hosts 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified as essential for the EU’s green industrial transformation agenda.

The memorandum includes commitments to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards for resource extraction, reflecting rising global demand not only for raw materials but for responsibly sourced minerals accommodating both ecological sustainability and indigenous peoples’ rights.

Extraction and logistical challenges in Greenland are considerable due to its Arctic environment, which is characterized by severe cold, seasonal darkness, and difficult terrain.

These factors limit the operating window for mining activities and increase capital and operational expenditures.

Title:

Content: Why are countries competing so hard for deep sea mining?
Jamaica will host international talks from Monday to discuss several issues, most notably the controversial issue of allowing deep sea mining.
This comes after a two-year ban on such activities ended due to the failure of states to agree on new regulations.
Scientists fear a possible "scramble" for precious metals in the deep ocean could have dire consequences for marine life.
But proponents argue that these minerals are necessary to meet global demand for green technology, which preserves the environment.
The controversy began in 2021 when the tiny Pacific island of Nauru formally applied to the United Nations International Seabed Authority, which oversees mining in international waters, for a commercial licence to start deep-sea mining.
The move prompted a provision to set a two-year deadline for the agency to decide on the application, despite minimal regulations in place.
States have been meeting since then in an effort to finalize rules on environmental control and property sharing, but the efforts have not yielded any success.
Kingston, Jamaica, is currently hosting a three-week meeting for discussions.
It comes at a time of growing objections to commercial deep-sea mining aimed at collecting rocks containing precious metals.
Some 200 countries, including Switzerland, Spain and Germany, are calling for a halt or suspension due to environmental concerns and are now expected to be given a vote on a new ban next month.
Although the UK has not called for a new ban, a government spokesman told the BBC: "The UK will maintain its precautionary position of not supporting the issuance of any exploration licences until there is sufficient scientific evidence on the potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems."
Marine scientists have raised concerns about limited deep-ocean research to study the animals and plants that live there, and therefore the effects that deep-sea mining could have.
Experts say the technology potentially used to collect minerals from the seabed could create significant noise and light pollution, as well as release plumes of sediment that pose a risk of choking food-leaching species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Katherine Wheeler, director of global policy at charity Fauna & Flora, said: “We must not let this be a new drive to raise wealth, to further destroy our planet without actually realizing what we are doing. ”
Scientists recently announced that more than 5,000 different animals have been found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean, a key area for future mining activities.
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone and other areas ripe for mining, such as the so-called Pacific Ocean crust, are unique environments with hydrothermal vents, underwater mountains and vast plains up to 6,500 meters below the surface of the water.
Scientists believe they can support uniquely adapted species of organisms, the likes of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
Not all States are categorically opposed to such activities, and the International Seabed Authority has already issued 31 exploration contracts to companies wishing to search the deep ocean, while 14 States, including China, Russia, India, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, support such activity.
The Authority only permits the issuance of exploration contracts in international waters, and States are free to conduct exploration in their national waters.
Last month, Norway controversially opened up areas in the Greenland Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea covering 280,000 square kilometers for mining companies to apply for licences.
Oil and Energy Minister Terje Asland said in a statement: "We need minerals to succeed in the green transition."
Metal Company, which partners with three Pacific Island States -- the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Kiribati and the Kingdom of Tonga -- intends to proceed with applications.
The company said the deep sea offers a promising source of metals such as copper, cobalt and nickel, which are needed for technologies such as mobile phones, wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries.
Nick Pickens, director of global mining research at Wood Mackenzie, told the BBC that many of these minerals are relatively available on Earth but difficult to access.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, which has some of the highest purity copper grades in the world, is facing violent ethnic conflict in parts of the country.
There are also a limited number of refining sites involved in the conversion of metals from their raw form to useful components.
Pickens said: “Deep sea mining does not necessarily solve any of these issues.
There are still geopolitical challenges. ”

Greenland’s infrastructure is primarily concentrated in southern regions, while many promising mineral deposits exist in remote and less accessible zones, requiring substantial investment in transport, energy, and community access.

Mining operations therefore face elevated costs compared to more temperate regions.

Nevertheless, there are efforts to mitigate environmental impacts and support mining activities with renewable energy resources.

Title:

Content: Sweden's new rare-earth metal find likely big deal for Western consumers

Sweden has discovered what is billed as Europe's biggest deposit of rare earth minerals - a crucial component of electronics and clean energy technology - giving a significant boost to the continent's hunt for trade security.

LKAB, the Swedish state-owned mining company, announced Thursday that it found deposits of more than 1 million tonnes of rare earth metals in the country's far northern Lapland province.

Products ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles and even military jets require these rare earth elements, which are not currently mined in Europe, the company said. Much of the world's supply comes from China, which has used them as a geopolitical tool.

LKAB president Jan Mostrom said in a statement that the find could be a "significant building block" for Europe, which faces a "supply problem." But the company also said that it would take at least a decade before the rare earth minerals discovered hit the market.

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Here's what to know about this major discovery and what it means for Western consumers.

What are rare earth minerals and where are they found?

Rare earths are not actually that rare. They are a group of 17 chemical elements, composed of scandium, yttrium and lanthanides, according to the US Geological Survey.

But mining rare earth minerals is complex, as supply is not concentrated in one location. Mining them also affects the environment, since their ores can be laced with radioactive materials such as thorium and uranium. Refining the minerals can generate toxic and radioactive waste, which poses environmental and health risks if not properly disposed of.

China hosts the majority of the world's reserve of rare earth minerals and is the world's leading supplier. (The United States was the largest producer several decades ago.) While Brazil and Vietnam have significant reserves, they lag far behind in mining them.

Access to the minerals became an issue in the trade war with China during the administration of US President Donald Trump. Beijing threatened to cut off exports to the United States in 2019 to retaliate against Trump's measures, pushing prices up and prompting Trump to sign an executive order increasing domestic production. The Biden administration has also pushed for investments in that supply chain.

Other countries have also moved to reduce their reliance on China. Australia is spending millions to develop a rare earths mine and processing plant in its Northern Territory.

What are rare earth minerals used for?

Multiple household goods, including televisions, computers, smartphones and lighting use rare earth minerals. Yttrium and europium, for instance, light up iPhone displays and allow them to vibrate.

They are also key elements of US-made defence systems, including night-vision technology, jets and armoured-vehicle alloys.

Rare earth minerals are critical for the global clean energy transition, as they are components of the magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines - although recently some companies have developed motors for electric vehicles that do not require rare earths.

What does Sweden's discovery mean for the climate?

LKAB's find was welcomed in Europe, which has faced energy challenges amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European Union also has a goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

In September, a senior EU official said Europe's climate ambitions were at risk without reliable supply chains. "Take China, with its quasi-monopoly on rare earths and permanent magnets and prices rising by 50-90% in the past year alone," wrote Thierry Breton, an EU commissioner. "Supply of raw materials has become a real geopolitical tool."

The European Raw Materials Alliance notes that while the European Union has a massive electric-motor manufacturing sector, "it is almost fully import dependent" when it comes to rare earth permanent magnets.

Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said Thursday that Europe's independence from Russia and China would begin with this mine.

Political leadership in the continent, she said, "must give the industry the conditions to switch to green and fossil-free production."

The Washington Post

Local developments include hydroelectric and wind power projects, which can supply clean energy to mineral extraction operations, reducing carbon footprints and aligning projects with sustainability goals.

The presence of high-grade ore deposits mitigates some environmental concerns by minimizing the volume of materials processed and waste generated compared with lower-grade sources elsewhere.

In sum, Greenland combines significant rare earth mineral resources, strategic geopolitical positioning, and growing investor interest with evolving but stringent regulatory oversight focused on sustainable development.

Notable projects such as Tanbreez represent major steps toward commercial production, while exploration continues in promising zones with strong backing.

Extraction will face Arctic-related challenges, but renewable energy integration and high-grade deposits make exploitation potentially feasible and environmentally prudent.

Greenland’s partnerships with the EU and active management of foreign mining interests suggest a controlled, strategic approach to capitalizing on its mineral wealth.

For investors, Greenland offers a compelling opportunity in a critical mineral jurisdiction poised to grow in relevance as global demand for rare earths increases.

However, potential ventures must carefully evaluate climate-related operational constraints, infrastructure requirements, and evolving regulatory frameworks.

Further sector-specific and project-specific analyses are advised to detail estimated monetary valuations, market risks, extraction costs, and timelines to inform robust investment decisions.