Of Greenland’s 10 important rare earth deposits, only two,...

Of Greenland’s 10 important rare earth deposits, only two, Kvanefjeld (Kuannersuit) and Kringlerne (Killavaat Alannguat), have attracted much attention.

In spite of being located just a few miles apart in the same complex in South Greenland, these two rare-earth deposits are very different on all parameters: geology and mineralogy, stage of exploration, and documented resources. They are alike, however, in that both deposits have some serious drawbacks when compared to active mines or advanced projects elsewhere in the West.

The Kvanefjeld plateau, near the southern tip of Greenland, is the site of large deposits of rare-earth oxides, uranium, thorium, and other elements of industrial importance.Jan Richard Heinicke/laif/Redux

Kvanefjeld is the only project in Greenland with well documented reserves; but it suffers from–or, some would say, could potentially benefit from–a high content of uranium and thorium.

In 2021, when the project was in the final phase of getting an exploitation license, the Greenlandic government dug in its heels and made it illegal to mine deposits with more than 100 parts per million of uranium. The new regulations were used against the Australian company behind the Kvanefjeld project, rendering worthless years of heavy investments—more than US $100 million was reportedly spent on drilling and other work.

The company filed a request for arbitration in 2022, and in 2024 it commenced legal proceedings against the Greenland and Danish governments. It may be years before these cases are resolved. In the meantime, this case is likely to harm investment in Greenland due to the climate of high political risk it suggests.

The rare earths at the Kringlerne deposit are contained within an igneous rock called kakortokite.Jan Richard Heinicke/laif/Redux

At Kringlerne there are much lower concentrations of uranium. The privately owned company that has invested in the site, Tanbreez, claims that it is the largest deposit of its kind in the world, but that belief is based on very little drilling. In 2020, the company got an exploration license in spite of not having provided documentation of resources, updated studies of feasibility, or of environmental and socio-economic impact. Deadlines for providing financial security and plans for mining and closure were extended for many years. Tanbreez was partly taken over by a New-York-based company registered on the NASDAQ, and the new owners were obligated to follow international standards and disclose a confidential resource estimate from 2016. The report revealed considerably more disappointing numbers with regards to ore grade and other characteristics.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/spectrum.ieee.org/amp/rare-earth-minerals-2671898231