Khaberni - Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his threats to take control of Greenland "one way or another," as he described, indicating that if the United States does not take control, Russia and China will.
As Trump's threats escalated, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, which has autonomous government within its affiliation with Copenhagen, headed to Washington - on Wednesday - to meet with the U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Mark Rubio.
Trump’s significant interest in Greenland did not come out of nowhere, as the island holds a critical strategic position and vast natural resources, which remain unexploited.
According to a survey conducted in 2023, Greenland possesses 25 of the 34 types of rare earth metals cataloged by the European Commission.
A treasure of gas and oil
Politico's website noted that despite U.S. estimates in 2007 which suggested the presence of over 30 billion barrels of oil and natural gas beneath Greenland’s surface and waters—comparable to U.S. reserves—oil exploration efforts that lasted 30 years by a consortium including companies such as Chevron and Italy's ENI, have ceased.
In 2021, Greenland's then-leftist government banned oil and gas exploration to protect the environment.
At the same time, attempts to develop the mining sector on the island were delayed and obstructed due to opposition from the indigenous population, in addition to bureaucratic measures from the authorities, according to Reuters.
Neither the government of Greenland, Denmark, nor the European Union, of which Copenhagen is a member, showed interest in developing the rare earth minerals in Greenland, which Politico described as a "strategic mistake" amid competition between the United States and China for rare earth minerals.
Here are details on the most important minerals in Greenland, according to Reuters, based on data from the island's mineral resources agency:
Rare earth elements
Three of the largest rare earth mineral mines in Greenland are located in the Gardar province in the southern part of the island. Rare earth elements are essential in the manufacture of magnets used in electric cars and wind turbines.
Among the companies seeking to develop rare earth mineral mines are "Critical Metals," based in New York, USA, and "Energy Transition Minerals" from Australia, whose project "Kvanefjeld" stopped due to legal disputes.
Graphite
The geological survey indicated the presence of graphite in several locations on Grey Island, and British company "Green Rock," based in London, applied for a license to develop the "Amitsoq" graphite project on the island.
Natural graphite is used in important technological industries such as the batteries for electric cars, as well as steel manufacturing.
Copper
According to Greenland's Mineral Resources Agency, the island's copper reserves have only seen limited exploration campaigns.
The agency noted areas in northeast and east-central Greenland have not been explored but are of particular importance due to the potential presence of copper.
British company "80 Miles," based in London, is aiming to develop the "Disco-Nuussaq" mine on the island, which contains copper, nickel, platinum, and cobalt.
Nickel
According to Greenland's Mineral Resources Agency, there is considerable evidence of a nickel stockpile on the island.
British company "Anglo American" received an exploration license in western Greenland from the island's authorities in 2019, and it is seeking the stock of several minerals, including nickel.
Zinc
Most of the island's zinc stock is located in the north within a geological formation that spans over 2500 kilometers.
Several companies are striving to develop the "Citronen Fjord" project for zinc and lead, which is one of the largest undeveloped zinc resources in the world.
Gold
The most promising areas with large quantities of gold are around the "Sermiligaaq Strait" in the southern part of the island.
Canadian company "Amaruq" Minerals, headquartered in Toronto, started working last year in a gold mine on Mount "Nalunaq" in the "Kujalleq" region of the island.
Diamonds
Most of Greenland's diamond stock, and the largest stones, are in the western part of the island, according to the Mineral Resources Agency.
The agency also indicates the potential presence of diamonds in other areas of the island.
Titanium and Vanadium
There is a known stock of titanium and vanadium in the southwest, east, and south, according to the Earth Minerals Agency of the island.
Titanium is used in commercial, medical, and industrial applications, while vanadium is mainly used in the production of steel alloys.
Tungsten
Tungsten is used in many industrial applications and is mostly located in central-east and northeast of the country, with potential stock in the south and west.
Uranium
In 2021, the leftist ruling party "Ataqatigiit" banned uranium mining, leading to the halting of the "Kvanefjeld" project for rare earth minerals, which counted uranium among its byproducts.
