The race for Greenland’s Mineral wealth | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs): A group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements crucial for modern technologies.
• Tambre Project: A proposed mining site in southern Greenland with significant rare earth deposits.
• Critical Minerals: Minerals deemed essential for economic and national security by governments, often due to supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Geopolitical Significance: Greenland's strategic location and mineral wealth are attracting international attention, particularly from the US and Europe, seeking to diversify supply chains away from China.
• Infrastructure Challenges: Remoteness, lack of transportation links, and harsh Arctic conditions pose significant hurdles for mining operations in Greenland.
• Processing Bottleneck: While REE deposits are found in Greenland, the expertise and facilities for separating and processing these elements are largely concentrated in China.
• Socio-economic Impact: Potential for job creation and economic development in Greenland, balanced against environmental concerns and the preservation of local culture.

Tambre Project: A Treasure Trove of Rare Earths in Greenland

The video highlights the Tambre project, located in the remote southern tip of Greenland, as a significant source of rare earth elements (REEs). These are vital for numerous modern technologies, including computers, guided missile systems, destroyers, and F-35 fighter jets, as well as for space exploration. The project is partly owned by Australian-run mining outfit Critical Metals.

Deposit Details and Potential

• Scale of the Ore Body: The ore body at Tambre extends for 1 kilometer in one direction and 3 kilometers in another.
• Rock Composition: The deposit consists of three types of rock: black, white, and red. The red rock is where the rare earths are located.
• Resource Abundance: Drilling over 80 meters deep has revealed substantial ore, estimated to be enough for thousands of years of mining.
• Exploitation License: An exploitation license was granted five years prior to the video's filming.
• Future Operations: The company envisions two open pits for the operation, with plans to commence works by spring, pending final approvals and financing. The projected timeline for the operation to take shape is 3 to 5 years.
• Market Access: The site's proximity to the North Atlantic provides direct access to European and US markets.

Geopolitical Drivers and US Interest

The surge in interest in Greenland is attributed to its strategic Arctic location and its vast mineral potential. US President Donald Trump's administration has shown particular interest, with a stated goal of securing these critical minerals.

• "Drill Baby Drill" Mantra: This mantra, associated with Trump, has spurred investment in exploration and drilling programs, with the Tambre project's current drill program costing millions of dollars.
• Pentagon-Backed Agreement: Tambre has secured a 10-year agreement to supply material to an American processing facility backed by the Pentagon.
• "Trump Bump": The increased focus from the US has led to a resurgence of interest and activity from companies that previously found operations in Greenland challenging.

Broader Mining Landscape in Greenland

While Tambre is a prominent example, other mining activities and explorations are underway in Greenland, indicating a growing sector.

• Active Mines: Currently, only two active mines operate in Greenland.
• Luminina: Located further north, this site is used for e-glass ceramics and even for astronaut training (moon dust).
• Amarok: In the south, Amarok is actively drilling for gold and exploring for copper, nickel, and rare earths.
• Projected Growth: Experts anticipate the development of three to five mines within the next 10 years, which is considered a rapid pace for the mining industry.

Greenland's Mineral Wealth and EU Criticality List

The Geographical Survey of Denmark and Greenland has extensively mapped the territory's mineral reserves.

• Significant Deposits: Greenland possesses three very large deposits of critical minerals.
• EU Critical Minerals: Out of more than 30 minerals identified as critically important by the EU, 24 are found in Greenland.
• Underexplored Territory: The ice-free area of Greenland, approximately 400,000 square kilometers, remains largely underexplored.

Challenges of Arctic Mining

Despite the rich mineral potential, mining in Greenland faces significant obstacles.

• Remoteness and Lack of Infrastructure: The primary challenge is the lack of developed infrastructure, including transportation networks.
• Seasonal Shipping: In northern regions, operations may require stockpiling materials for 10-11 months due to ice, with shipping only possible for a single month.
• Processing Expertise: A major hurdle is the processing of rare earths. While finding and mining deposits is relatively straightforward, separating the individual rare earth elements requires specialized know-how, which has largely been lost in the West and is concentrated in China.

Local Impact and Future Outlook

The potential for mining development is bringing significant changes to southern Greenland, where approximately 6,000 people reside in small towns, villages, and on sheep farms. Livelihoods currently depend on fishing, agriculture, and tourism.

• Economic Hopes: The development of mines, a new airport, and a planned deep-water port are expected to create new job opportunities. There is a hope for "good jobs" beyond entry-level positions for local residents.
• Environmental and Cultural Concerns: Some residents express hesitation regarding the potential environmental impact of mining and its effect on their traditional way of life.
• Crossroads: Greenland is described as being at a crossroads, with the growing global demand for critical minerals positioning it to play an increasingly important role on the world stage. The expectation is that three to five mines could be operational within the next two to four years.