Nuuk, Greenland – February 11, 2025 – The Government of Greenland has launched its Mineral Resources Strategy for 2025-2029, outlining a vision for a sustainable and prosperous future driven by responsible development of its mineral wealth. The strategy, which replaces the 2020-2024 plan, emphasizes sustainability, attracting investment, and capitalizing on critical mineral resources.
Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice, and Gender Equality, underscored the importance of the mining sector for global development and Greenland’s economic future. “The mineral resource industry is a necessary prerequisite for the continued development of the global community,” stated Nathanielsen in the strategy’s preface. “The global need for minerals can create jobs and growth locally and nationally, contributing to a more sustainable and robust economic development for us all.”
The strategy identifies four key focus areas:
Sustainability and Society: This area prioritizes public engagement, environmental responsibility, and social equity within the mining sector. Initiatives include public surveys on attitudes toward the industry, campaigns promoting education and job opportunities, and the development of gender equality guidelines for companies.
Attractive Investment Frameworks: Greenland aims to reduce investor risk and stimulate economic growth through targeted tax agreements, streamlined administrative processes via digitalization, and strengthened infrastructure. The strategy also includes ongoing assessments of Greenland’s tax and royalty model to ensure competitiveness.
Critical Minerals: Recognizing the growing global demand for critical minerals, Greenland will focus on strengthening international partnerships, particularly with the EU and the US, to secure markets for its resources.
Geological Mapping and Geodata: To improve the attractiveness for exploration and investment, the strategy calls for continued geological mapping, scientific projects to generate new knowledge, and expanded availability of geoscientific data. Focus will also be on preventing natural disasters like landslides.
The strategy emphasizes a holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing social, environmental, and economic dimensions. It recognizes the importance of balancing resource development with the needs of traditional industries like fishing and hunting, as well as protecting Greenland’s unique natural and cultural heritage.
The plan outlines numerous concrete initiatives, including marketing efforts at international conventions, increased cooperation with export-import banks to support project financing, and the establishment of a certification system for small-scale licensees. The government also plans to facilitate meetings between investment funds and the mineral resources industry, as well as host an annual investment conference for global investors.
