Greenland's untapped mineral wealth

Greenland has over 1,100 identified mineral sites, but there are only two active mines and just eight active licenses for mining. More than 600 sites contain minerals designated by the US to be essential to its economy and national security.

Last updated: Jan. 7, 2025.

Note: Mineral occurrence does not indicate the economic viability of extraction. There are 60 “critical minerals” defined by the US government, 15 of which are rare earth elements. The data show only the primary resource at each site.

Sources: The National Geological Surveys for Denmark and Greenland, Greenland's Mineral Licence and Safety Authority, The US Department of Energy, US Geological Survey, Greenland Business Association

Graphic: Soph Warnes, CNN