With vast mineral reserves, rare earths and geostrategic position in the Arctic, the territory has become the centerpiece of the dispute between the USA, Denmark and Europe
an autonomous territory of Denmark covered by 80% of ice, fascinates for its hypothetical mineral resources and its geostrategic importance, which explains the expansionist ambitions of the American president, .
These are the main reasons for the Republican’s interest in this island of 2.16 million square kilometers, twice the size of Colombia, for comparison.
Little explored mining sector
Since 2009, Greenlanders have had decision-making power over the use of their raw materials. The local government, whose main source of income is fishing, extols the riches of its subsoil, although only two mines are in operation and production is limited.
At a time when demand for metals and minerals is increasing, the race for unexploited resources is accelerating and Greenland can present itself as an El Dorado, despite an inhospitable polar environment and still incipient infrastructure.
Access to Greenland’s mineral resources is considered crucial by the Americans, who signed a memorandum of cooperation in this sector in 2019. The Europeans followed suit four years later, with their own collaboration agreement.
Greenlandic soils are extremely well mapped, which has made it possible to create a detailed map of resources.
Aerial view shows the landscape near Ittoqqortoormiit in east Greenland
The (EU) has thus identified 25 of the 34 minerals on its official list of essential raw materials, including rare earths.
Amaroq explores the territory’s gold mine and plans to develop another rare earth mine, Black Angel. This could come into operation in 2027 or 2028, thanks to the prior existence of infrastructure, as the site was first active in the 1940s and then between 1973 and 1990. There, Amaroq could extract zinc, lead and silver, but also critical elements such as germanium, gallium and cadmium.
On the west coast, Lumina Sustainable Materials has been exploring an anorthosite deposit since 2019.
With its Tanbreez (tantalum, niobium, zirconium) project, the Nasdaq-listed company Critical Metals wants to open a rare earth mine near Quaqortoq (south) this year, with the aim of starting large-scale extraction next year.
From an economic point of view, Greenland, which seeks to someday emancipate itself from Denmark, remains largely dependent on a subsidy from Copenhagen, which represents a fifth of its .
Closer to New York
Greenland is an autonomous territory in which Justice and monetary, foreign, defense and security policies depend on Copenhagen. But, with a capital closer to New York than Copenhagen, Greenland is part of the United States’ zone of interest, he told AFP historian Astrid Andersen, from the Danish Institute of International Studies.
During World War II, “when Denmark was occupied by Germany, the United States took control of Greenland. In a way, they never left,” he highlighted.
Washington maintains an active military base in the northeast of the island, at Pituffik (formerly Thule). This base was used as a warning post against the then Soviet Union during the Cold War and remains an essential link in the American anti-missile shield.
To compensate for the lack of surveillance of air and underwater space east of Greenland, which could become a problem as melting ice clears sea lanes, Denmark is investing in Arctic patrols, drones and wants to expand aerial surveillance and coastal radars.
US Armed Forces Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, where US Vice President JD Vance visited on March 28 last year
Strategic location
Located between the North Atlantic and the Arctic, close to the United States, Canada and , Greenland occupies a strategic geographic position.
Donald Trump accuses Copenhagen of not adequately guaranteeing the security of this gigantic territory in the face of Russia and . Denmark, a member of , rejects these statements and recalls having invested around 90 billion kroner (approximately R$75.2 billion) to reinforce its military presence in the Arctic.
A few hours before a crucial meeting this Wednesday (14) between the heads of Danish and Greenlandic diplomacy and their American counterpart, , and the vice-president, , Denmark promised to “strengthen its military presence” in Greenland and dialogue with NATO to increase the Alliance’s presence in the Arctic, according to the Danish Minister of Defense.
*With information from AFP
Published by Nícolas Robert
