As Arctic ice recedes due to climate change, Greenland is emerging as a potential hub for critical resource extraction. Vast mineral deposits, once locked under thick ice, are becoming accessible, attracting mining companies and intensifying geopolitical interest in the region.
Opportunities in Resource Extraction
Research by the University of Leeds highlights Greenland’s shrinking ice cover, revealing wetlands, vegetation, and exposed rock. This transformation facilitates mining operations, with companies like 80 Mile and Critical Metals Corporation pursuing resources such as titanium, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements. Melting ice also enables easier maritime transport, reducing infrastructure costs.
Greenland is viewed as a western alternative to China’s dominance in rare earth supplies. Its strategic importance has drawn U.S. attention, with calls for stronger ties and even controversial suggestions of acquisition. However, Greenland’s leadership has firmly rejected such notions while remaining open to mining partnerships.
While Greenland’s mineral potential is promising, experts, including Jakob Klove Keiding of GEUS, caution that development remains in its early stages. Despite logistical improvements from melting ice, full-scale resource extraction will take years to materialize.