Firsthand Insights Into Mining Greenland’s Mineral Wealth

The global drive to secure critical and strategic minerals for the modern economy is intensifying, with Greenland’s mineral wealth drawing increased interest. However, public discussions indicate an uneven understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in developing these minerals in a way that aligns with the priorities of Greenland’s government and the expectations of its people.

Jim Cambon, CEO of AnorTech, has more than two decades of experience in resource development in Greenland and a positive view of mining opportunities in this part of the Arctic.

He highlights that Greenland has a history of successful mining operations, including the prominent Black Angel zinc mine advanced by major Canadian miner Cominco, now part of Teck Resources. Other successful mining operations include the Ivittuut cryolite mine, active until 1987, and the Nalunaq gold mine, which operated from 2004 to 2013 and was recently reopened by Amaroq

Although largely covered by ice, Greenland has about 100 kilometers of exposed geology along its coastline, containing potentially significant mineral deposits. Cambon notes that several mineral ore bodies have been discovered in Greenland and are being advanced towards development, through processes that include robust environmental review and obtaining local approval. The minerals range from base and precious metals to the critical minerals used in modern technologies.

He notes that developing a resource project in the Arctic presents a distinct set of challenges. It requires either unique minerals like anorthosite with clear end-market demand and offtake agreements in place, or ore bodies containing mineral grades that support revenue generation in the top quartile of industry margins. “Infrastructure and logistics are key, and this is where the deep-water access of local projects is advantageous. It is also essential that projects are supported by government authorities and host communities.”

Unique geology

According to Cambon, Greenland is geologically unique in hosting several large anorthosite bodies, including White Mountain and Gronne Bjerg. “Our geological sampling and mapping to date shows that Gronne Bjerg is by far the largest and least metamorphosed of these formations, which means it largely retains its original mineralogical and geological features,” he explains. “Once Gronne Bjerg became available for staking, AnorTech moved quickly to secure a mineral exploration license through the appropriate regulatory processes. It has since proven to be an exceptional deposit of anorthosite, characterized by its high aluminum content and low levels of iron and sodium required for a successful resource project.

Greenland’s rich mineral resources include deposits of rare earth elements, of which it holds some of the world’s largest untapped reserves. The Sarfartoq project, in which AnorTech has a 5% interest, is situated on the region’s largest rare-earth-hosting carbonatite formation. “Projects like Sarfartoq remain largely unexplored, presenting exciting opportunities for finding additional mineralization and scaling up known resources,” says Cambon.

Operating in Greenland

While mining in Greenland is often characterized as involving logistical and regulatory challenges, Cambon argues that this perception does not reflect the reality on the ground when companies work constructively within Greenland’s regulatory framework. The country’s road network may be limited, but the ocean is effectively a superhighway directly connecting its mining projects to major continents.

“Projects like Gronne Bjerg are right on deep tidewater, which provides a significant logistical advantage for both construction and operations,” Cambon states. “From AnorTech’s Gronne Berg project, it’s the same distance by ship to Antwerp, Belgium, and Savannah, Georgia. Handysize vessels can move rock for about $25 per tonne to Europe or North America.”

Some believe that Greenland’s people oppose mining activity on their land, but Cambon feels this is another misconception. “Greenlanders are very much in favour of responsible mining that delivers local benefits and respects traditional land use; I have experienced tremendous support for AnorTech’s projects in the country. I can also attest to a streamlined permitting process that is less cumbersome than in any of the 35 mining jurisdictions I have worked in, provided projects meet regulatory and community expectations.”

Responsible mining

Cambon advises prospective investors and operators in the region to earn the trust of community stakeholders and government leaders by honouring their commitments, supporting local businesses and communicating transparently from the earliest stages of project development.

“As a company, we have tremendous respect for the land and for the Greenlanders who are close to nature. The majority of Greenlanders hunt and fish, spending as much time outdoors as possible on boat or snowmobile.

“Because no one can own the land here, there is a real sense that the land belongs to everyone and that all citizens are stewards of it. This is important to understand when entering the country to explore and potentially operate a mine. As a guest, you must first respect the land and the Greenlandic way of life, and demonstrate that respect through action, not just words.”

In practical terms, mining projects that are acceptable to Greenlanders are those that do not use chemicals and that do not contain radioactive elements. “The most critical aspect of responsible mining here is not to impact traditional hunting and fishing areas or disrupt the land for future generations,” he emphasizes.

For Cambon, the environmental and social regulations for operating in Greenland are fair and reasonable: “Respect the land and stakeholders – and you will succeed.”

Diversifying the global supply chain

Cambon believes the right conditions exist to advance mining activities in Greenland, helping to build a more diverse global supply chain for critical minerals, while meeting Greenland’s expectations for responsible development. Based on AnorTech’s exploration and development of anorthosite projects in Greenland, he believes the region could become the dominant supplier of feed material from anorthosite for the alumina and aluminum industries. AnorTech plans to start by supplying high-purity alumina to global markets and is currently talking to potential investors and partners in the government and private sector about commercializing its project.

“Global bauxite reserves are declining in grade and often located in politically unstable regions. However, Greenland can provide sufficient anorthosite to supplement and, over time, replace bauxite as a primary feed material for the aluminum sector,” says Cambon. “Similarly, the country could contribute significantly to the global supply of rare earth elements, provided projects are supported by government authorities, local communities, and responsible investors.”

ENDS