Greenland Mines Policy Institute
Policy Briefing

The Strategic Imperative for Greenland's Minerals

Independent research and analysis on the national security dimensions of critical mineral supply chains. Greenland's vast reserves represent a pivotal opportunity for Western nations to secure resource independence.

Key Facts

China REE Market Control ~60%
China REE Processing ~90%
Western Alternative Sources Limited
Greenland REE Potential Significant
Governance 2009 Self-Government Act
Regulatory Alignment EU / Western legal tradition

A National Security Priority

Critical minerals underpin modern defense systems, clean energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. Concentration of supply in adversarial nations represents a systemic vulnerability that demands urgent policy attention.

Defense Applications

Rare earth elements are essential components in precision-guided munitions, jet engines, satellite systems, night-vision equipment, and communication systems. A single F-35 fighter requires approximately 920 pounds of rare earth materials.

Wind turbines, electric vehicle motors, solar panels, and battery storage all depend on critical minerals. Meeting climate targets without diversified supply chains creates dangerous dependencies on geopolitical rivals.

Technology Sovereignty

Semiconductors, smartphones, medical devices, and industrial robotics all require critical mineral inputs. Supply disruption could paralyze entire sectors of Western economies within months.

Greenland sits at the intersection of competing Arctic strategies. Securing mineral partnerships with Greenland strengthens the Western alliance's position in an increasingly contested polar region.

Key Findings

01

Supply Chain Vulnerability Is Systemic

End-to-end analysis of critical mineral supply chains reveals single points of failure concentrated in adversarial nations. Western manufacturing depends on materials that transit through jurisdictions outside allied control.

02

Greenland's Reserves Are Globally Significant

Technical evaluation of Greenland's mineral deposits confirms world-class scale across rare earths, platinum group metals, gold, and battery metals. The geological foundation is proven through decades of surveys.

03

The Window for Action Is Narrowing

Competing interests are accelerating their engagement with Greenland's mineral sector. Actionable guidance for policymakers must prioritize accelerating responsible development while maintaining environmental and social safeguards.

Critical Minerals in Greenland

Greenland hosts deposits across the full spectrum of minerals designated as critical by the US, EU, and allied nations.

Neodymium Rare Earth
Dysprosium Rare Earth
Praseodymium Rare Earth
Terbium Rare Earth
Lithium Battery Metal
Cobalt Battery Metal
Nickel Battery Metal
Graphite Battery Metal
Platinum PGM
Palladium PGM
Gold Precious Metal
Uranium Energy
Zinc Base Metal
Copper Base Metal
Titanium Strategic
Chromium Strategic

Governance & Regulation

Greenland's mineral resource governance operates under the 2009 Self-Government Act, with the Greenlandic government holding authority over subsurface resources. The regulatory environment is transparent, rules-based, and aligned with Western legal traditions.

The Mineral Resources Act provides a clear framework for exploration and exploitation licenses. Environmental impact assessments, social impact analyses, and benefit-sharing agreements with local communities are mandatory components of the permitting process.

US Critical Minerals Strategy

Executive orders and bipartisan legislation have identified Greenland as a priority partner for critical mineral sourcing, with multiple bilateral agreements in development.

EU Critical Raw Materials Act

The EU framework targets reduced dependency on single-source suppliers, with Greenland's OCT status providing preferential market access for mineral exports.

NATO Arctic Security

Alliance security considerations increasingly factor mineral supply chain resilience, positioning Greenland's resources as strategic assets within the NATO framework.

Mineral Dependency Analysis

China's share of global production and processing for critical minerals.

Rare Earth Mining 60%
Rare Earth Processing 90%
Graphite Production 65%
Cobalt Refining 72%
Lithium Processing 58%
Western Alternative Capacity 15%
Greenland Potential Contribution Significant

Research Agenda

Our research covers the full spectrum of strategic mineral policy — from geological assessment to geopolitical risk analysis.

Supply Chain Mapping

End-to-end analysis of critical mineral supply chains, identifying single points of failure and quantifying geopolitical risk exposure.

Resource Assessment

Technical evaluation of Greenland's mineral deposits, including reserve estimates, extraction feasibility, and development timelines.

Policy Recommendations

Actionable guidance for policymakers on accelerating responsible development while maintaining environmental and social safeguards.

The window of opportunity is narrowing. Competing interests are accelerating their engagement with Greenland's mineral sector. Western nations must act decisively to secure supply chain partnerships.

Learn More About Mining in Greenland