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ARTICLE · 12 NOVEMBER 2019

Next Global Mining Frontier?

Mayer Brown
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Ian R. Coles, head of global mining practice at Mayer Brown, delves into mining exploration and exploitation in Greenland.

GreenlandEnergy and Natural Resources
Ian Coles
Ian Coles
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Greenland, mainly known for its icebergs, glaciers and ice sheets that are often used as a barometer for global warming, has been receiving increased attention as a potential global mining frontier. Most famously (or maybe infamously) of course it recently attracted the attention of the incumbent in the White House who was keen to buy it. To his chagrin, it had not been placed in the sale aisle, with the result that it is unlikely Greenland will follow in the footsteps of Louisiana and Alaska (both of which were purchased in the 19th century).

Greenland is the world's largest island, with the same land area as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Switzerland combined. It is home to only 56,000 residents. Previously a Danish colony, Greenland established limited self-governance over its domestic affairs in June 2009, and on January 1, 2020, the rights to mineral resources transfer from Denmark to the local government. The Greenlandic

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