Greenland's Mining Projects Draw Attention

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Written by Eric Funderburk for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land Texas)

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Summary

The potential mining of rare earth elements is increasingly entering the rhetoric justifying the possible acquisition of Greenland by the U.S., in addition to other issues such as opening Arctic trade routes. What sort of mines currently operate in Greenland, and in particular, what is the country's status in regard to rare earths-mining projects?

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What Mines Are Active in Greenland?

In addition to multiple potential projects, Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Plant Database lists two operational mines in Greenland--one of which is at the very beginning of resuming full operations after several years idle. The underground gold mine is owned by Amaroq Limited (Toronto, Ontario), which purchased the operation, which was idled in 2013, in 2015. The Nalunaq gold mine and mill are located on an island in the extreme south of Greenland, near its southern tip.

In 2023, Amaroq started in earnest on its redevelopment and restart efforts, achieving first production in late 2024, but continuing to ramp up operations and grow output throughout 2025 and, presently nearing full capacity as a 300-ton-per-day operation to extract 320,000 ounces of gold over remaining life of the operation. The mine produced more than 350,000 ounces of gold between 2004 and 2013.

Greenland's other operational mine is geared toward the production of anorthosite, used in multiple applications, such as glass, ceramic and aluminum production, paints and coatings, plastics, and as a component of decorative aggregates. The White Mountain mine in central-west Greenland, not far from the coast, was commissioned in 2019 and is owned by Lumina Sustainable Materials A/S (Nuk, Greenland). Subscribers to GMI Metals & Minerals Plant Database can click here for the plant profiles.

What's on the Horizon?

So what other mining projects are being tracked in the country? Besides putting the finishing touches on the restarted gold mine, little on-the-ground activity of major significance is presently occurring. However, several projects, including those geared at rare earths, are in the works, but the several years that many have spent on the planning table suggests headwinds that may difficult to overcome.

Those projects include two potential rare earths mines, neither of which has broken ground. One of these, Tanbreez Mining Greenland A/S' (Nuuk, Greenland) planned underground rare earths mine and mill near Julianehab on the south coast, has been tracked by Industrial Info since early 2013, and as of the last project update from mid-2025, was aiming to break ground in mid-2029; however, the project has been deemed as having a low probability of moving forward as planned. In addition to 100,000 tons per year of the rare earth element eudialyte, Tanbreez also aims to produce 200,000 tons per year of feldspar. This would come from mining 4.3 billion tons of material over a 10-year mine life. Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Metals & Minerals Project Database can learn more by viewing the project report.

The other rare earths mine has also been tracked by IIR since 2013, and our last update to project, made last week, suggests a potential 2027 start date, followed by completion about two years later. However, this project also been deemed as having a low probability of occurring as planned. Neo Performance Materials (Toronto, Ontario) is aiming to mine 2,000 tons per day of ore to produce 6,500 tons per year of rare earths concentrates, specifically neodymium and praseodymium used in high-strength permanent magnets, from its Sarfartoq development near Kangerlussuaq on Greenland's southwest coast. Subscribers can click here to learn more.

Other Mined Products

One of the largest active Greenland mining-related projects being tracked by Industrial Info is not for a rare earth element but involves molybdenum, which is, in fact, a constituent of many rare earth alloys. The mine itself doesn't require the highest investment of all Greenland mining projects, but an associated processing plant and shipping port on Greenland's east coast by mine developer Greenland Resources Incorporated (Toronto) more than doubles the value of the overall undertaking. The mine, near Angmagssalik on the east coast, aims to be a 21.5 million-ton-per-year open-pit mine that would include a 2,244 ton-per-hour crushing facility. This would be accompanied by a 22-kilometer (13.7-mile) conveyor system to a processing plant and shipping port facility on the Mestersvig Inlet. The mine is expected to have a 20-year life. Subscribers can learn more by viewing the project reports on the mine and processing plant and port facility. Again, highlighting the headwinds caused by climate, a lack of labor and little infrastructure, the mine portion of the project has been tracked by Industrial Info for more than 19 years. That original project report, released June 2006, optimistically suggested that construction would kick off the following year.

Other mining projects loom in Greenland's planned activity, with feldspar being one of the key elements to be extracted. In addition, IIR's mining coverage of Greenland includes a planned nickel-cobalt-copper mine and mill near Nuuk on Greenland's west coast, another gold development from Amaroq and an underground graphite mine on Amitsoq Island aiming for 77,000 tons per year of 94% graphite concentrate over a 20-year life that feeds a downstream anode plant, among other projects. However, as with the rare earth projects, many of these, have been on the planning table for several years. Greenland, due its low labor population, harsh weather, remote location and lack of critical infrastructure, is simply not an easy place to get the ball rolling on projects that are such significant undertakings.

Key Takeaways

• Greenland's operational mines include an anorthosite mine and recently restarted gold mine.
• Industrial Info has been tracking two rare earths mining projects in the country since 2013, but neither has broken ground.
• Other potential mining projects include the extraction of feldspar and molybdenum, other gold projects, graphite and more.

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About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resource's Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).