Mining in Greenland – a country divided

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 01.01.14
Publication Date 01/01/2014
Content Type

Major feature. Greenland's economy relies on fishing and hunting, but the government has ambitious plans to develop the country's resource industries. In places like Narsaq, there's a fear that mining could destroy the environment and traditional ways of life.

Exploiting the island's mineral resources could bring also full independence from former colonial master Denmark, which still provided a substantial annual subsidy for Greenland's budget.

Despite tensions between the two sides, the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland confirmed on 8 January 2014 that an agreement on uranium extraction was expected by the end of that year.

Prime Minister Aleqa Hammond told The Guardian on the 23 January 2014 she was concerned, but confident, of the country adapting to mining and oil exploration as the Arctic icecap retreats.

According to several academic experts heard by EurActiv, the minerals found in Greenland would not be enough to grant the country economic independence from Denmark.

The BBC reported in July 2014 that environmentalists, politicians and members of the public in Greenland were protesting against a law that could keep major mining projects under wraps and restrict the right to appeal against them.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25421967
Related Links
Euronews: Tag: Greenland http://www.euronews.com/tag/greenland/
Euronews, 25.10.13: Greenland’s green light for uranium extraction sparks environmental concerns http://www.euronews.com/2013/10/25/greenland-s-green-light-for-uranium-extraction-sparks-environmental-concerns/
ESO: Background information: Greenland votes to allow uranium, rare earths mining http://www.europeansources.info/record/greenland-votes-to-allow-uranium-rare-earths-mining/
Mining.com: Greenland http://www.mining.com/tag/greenland/
The Guardian, 31.07.12: Europe looks to open up Greenland for natural resources extraction http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/31/europe-greenland-natural-resources
EurActiv, 10.01.14: Greenland, Denmark hope to reach uranium mining deal by end 2014 http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/greenland-denmark-expect-uranium-news-532667
The Guardian, 23.01.14: Climate change brings new risks to Greenland, says PM Aleqa Hammond http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/23/climate-change-risks-greenland-arctic-icecap
EurActiv, 27.01.14: Minerals won't buy Greenland independence, experts say http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/experts-minerals-greenlands-inde-news-533008
BBC News, 23.07.14: Greenland: Bill to raise secrecy around mining projects http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-28439821

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