From Agence France-Presse and Euractiv, February 16:
[EPA-EFE/Christian Klindt Soelbeck]
A rare earth mining project in Greenland has reignited dreams of the autonomous Arctic territory’s full independence from Denmark one day, but environmentalists fear large-scale mining could harm the remote island’s pristine landscape.
The planned project has also wreaked political havoc. On Tuesday, Greenland’s parliament voted in favour of holding new elections at an as-yet undecided date in the spring, after a junior party quit the coalition government over disagreement about the mine.
Greenland, which obtained ownership of its mineral reserves when it gained self-rule in 2009, has long harboured hopes that the riches believed to be buried in the ground will help it cut its financial umbilical cord to Copenhagen one day.
Nuuk relies on annual Danish subsidies of around €526 million, or about a third of its national budget.
The proposed mine in Kvanefjeld, or Kuannersuit in Greenlandic, on the island’s southern edge could yield a massive windfall that would supplement its main industry, fishing....
....MUCH MORE
Probably related:
October 2020"As the Arctic's attractions mount, Greenland is a security black hole"
December 2019
Denmark Puts Mineral-Rich Greenland Top of its National Security Agenda, Ahead of Terrorism and Cybercrime.
August 2019
"President Trump Eyes a New Real-Estate Purchase: Greenland"
"Commodity Traders Could Be a Key Beneficiary of Climate Change"
Greenland's sand barons as well.*
April 2019
"China’s Emerging Strategies in the Arctic"
September 2018
Greenland Passes On the Opportunity To Be Part Of China's One Belt, One Road
