Greenland: A Potential Natural Resource Treasure

Greenland's potential to become an important supplier of numerous natural resources — including uranium and rare earth metals — is gaining international attention. Despite its strong historical ties to Europe, the Arctic island has resisted offers to form strategic partnerships with the Europeans that would limit the involvement of other possible investors such as China, which is showing great interest in the region.

Greenland, which is still a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, wants to use its natural resources to reduce its dependence on Europe and strengthen its independence. This puts Denmark in a difficult position. Instead of hindering the development of Greenland's mining sector and risking conflict with the territory's population, Copenhagen will make greater efforts to negotiate a strategic partnership with the Greenlandic government and ensure European access to natural resources that the Continent largely lacks.