From rare earth elements powering the green transition to strategic shipping routes reshaping global trade, discover why the world's largest island has become the centre of geopolitical attention.
Once a remote Arctic outpost, Greenland has emerged as one of the most strategically significant territories on Earth. Here is why world powers are paying attention.
Positioned between North America and Europe, Greenland sits astride emerging Arctic shipping routes and guards the approaches to the Northwest Passage. Its location makes it vital for both commercial and military purposes.
Home to 25 of the 34 EU-defined critical minerals, including some of the world's largest rare earth deposits. These elements are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and defence systems.
As Arctic ice retreats at unprecedented rates, previously inaccessible mineral deposits and shipping lanes are opening up. Climate change is quite literally reshaping Greenland's strategic value year by year.
Greenland has become a focal point in the rivalry between the world's major powers, each seeking to secure its interests in this strategically vital territory.
The United States views Greenland as indispensable to national security. Home to Thule Air Base since the Cold War, the island provides crucial early warning capabilities and guards North Atlantic sea lanes against potential adversaries.
President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland, whilst initially dismissed, underscores Washington's determination to secure this territory. The concern is straightforward: if America does not lead in the Arctic, other nations will fill the gap.
China has declared itself a "near-Arctic state" and sees Greenland as a key node in its Polar Silk Road strategy. Chinese companies have pursued mining projects and infrastructure investments, though Western scrutiny has intensified.
Russia, meanwhile, watches Greenland as part of NATO's northern flank, whilst the European Union has signed a strategic partnership to secure critical mineral supplies and diversify away from Chinese dominance.
The renewed American interest in Greenland reflects both strategic imperatives and resource ambitions that have intensified in recent years.
Control of Greenland provides unparalleled surveillance and defence capabilities across the Arctic region. As Russian military activity increases in the High North and new shipping lanes open, Greenland's radar installations, airfields, and deepwater ports become increasingly valuable for monitoring threats and projecting power.
America's dependence on Chinese rare earth elements poses a significant vulnerability. Greenland's deposits could supply the rare earths, graphite, and other critical minerals needed for defence systems, electric vehicles, and advanced technology, reducing reliance on geopolitical rivals.
As Arctic ice retreats, trans-polar shipping routes could cut transit times between Asia and Europe by up to 40%. Greenland's position astride these emerging corridors offers potential oversight of global trade flows and ensures Western influence over this new commercial frontier.
Beijing has made persistent efforts to invest in Greenland's infrastructure and mining sector. Washington's interest is partly defensive, aimed at preventing China from establishing a foothold in North America's backyard that could support military or intelligence operations.
Beneath the ice and rock lies one of the most diverse mineral endowments on the planet, holding materials essential for the technologies shaping our future.
Greenland's geology, formed over four billion years, hosts 25 of the 34 EU-defined critical minerals. From rare earths powering electric motors to graphite enabling battery storage, these resources are the foundation of the global energy transition.
Greenland holds approximately 1.5 million tonnes of proven REE reserves, ranking 8th globally. The Kvanefjeld and Tanbreez deposits contain critical heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium.
The Amitsoq deposit contains some of the world's highest-grade graphite at over 20% carbon content. This critical battery material is essential for lithium-ion cells powering electric vehicles.
With approximately 270,000 tonnes of uranium oxide, Greenland ranks 8th globally. This nuclear fuel resource could supply Western reactors but remains politically contentious due to environmental concerns.
The Citronen Fjord deposit in the far north contains over 100 million tonnes of ore, making it one of the world's largest undeveloped zinc resources. Zinc is critical for renewable energy infrastructure.
The Isua deposit near Nuuk contains an estimated 950 million tonnes of high-quality magnetite ore. Whilst currently undeveloped, it represents a significant future resource for steel production.
Gold deposits in southern Greenland are being actively developed, whilst the island is one of the few places where gem-quality rubies and sapphires are commercially mined, adding further diversity to its mineral wealth.
The materials beneath Greenland's surface are not merely commodities. They are the building blocks of the global energy transition and the technologies defining the coming decades.
China currently controls approximately 60% of global rare earth production and 90% of processing. Greenland's deposits could provide Western nations with an alternative supply, reducing strategic vulnerability.
Every electric vehicle requires rare earth magnets, graphite for batteries, and copper for wiring. As EV production scales to hundreds of millions of vehicles, demand for these materials will surge dramatically.
A single large offshore wind turbine requires roughly 600 kilograms of rare earth elements for its generator magnets. The global buildout of renewable energy infrastructure will require vast quantities of these materials.
From precision-guided munitions to stealth aircraft, modern military systems depend on rare earth elements. Secure supply chains for these materials are now considered matters of national security.
Source: USGS estimates, 2025
A diverse range of mining and exploration companies are working to unlock Greenland's mineral potential. Below are the key publicly traded operators active in the territory.
Leading Greenland-focused mining company developing the Nalunaq Gold Project in southern Greenland, a past-producing high-grade gold mine. Recently acquired the historic Black Angel zinc-lead-silver mine, creating a diversified precious and base metals portfolio.
Developing the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in southern Greenland, one of the world's largest heavy rare earth deposits. With low uranium content, Tanbreez has avoided regulatory hurdles and is progressing toward production by 2028.
Advancing the Amitsoq Graphite Project, one of the world's highest-grade flake graphite deposits at over 20% carbon content. Recently granted a 30-year mining licence and designated an EU Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Formerly Bluejay Mining, holds a diverse Greenland portfolio including the fully permitted Dundas ilmenite project and the Disko-Nuussuaq nickel-copper-cobalt exploration target, often compared to Russia's Norilsk in scale potential.
Holds the giant Kvanefjeld rare earth deposit, one of the world's largest undeveloped REE resources. Development is currently suspended following Greenland's 2021 uranium mining ban, though the company is pursuing legal arbitration.
Advancing the Malmbjerg Molybdenum Project in eastern Greenland, one of the largest undeveloped molybdenum deposits globally. Supported by the EU Raw Materials Alliance with a completed feasibility study showing robust economics.
Developing Citronen Fjord in northern Greenland, one of the world's largest undeveloped zinc resources with over 55 million tonnes of ore. Holds a mining licence and offtake agreements; seeking project financing to begin construction.
Operates the White Mountain anorthosite mine, producing industrial minerals for fiberglass and alumina applications. Also holds the Sarfartoq rare earth deposit, a neodymium-praseodymium resource awaiting development.
First mover in Greenland lithium exploration, having confirmed spodumene pegmatites near Nuuk in 2023. Holds extensive licences covering what may be Greenland's largest known lithium-bearing pegmatite trend.
Exploring the Ryberg nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE project in East Greenland, targeting magmatic sulphide deposits analogous to major intrusion-hosted systems. Early drilling has intersected significant sulphide mineralisation.
Holds the Skaergaard palladium-gold-platinum project in East Greenland, one of the world's largest PGM resources with over 5.5 million ounces indicated. The low-grade, high-tonnage deposit awaits improved market conditions.
Exploring the historic Ivigtût cryolite mine and nearby Grønnedal carbonatite complex for rare earths and critical minerals. Recent drilling confirmed high-grade REE and gallium, a critical semiconductor metal.
Whether you are researching the region for investment purposes or simply want to understand the geopolitical dynamics at play, we are here to help you navigate this complex landscape.
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