US President Donald Trump has announced that large-scale exploration for oil, gas, and minerals is set to begin in Greenland.
What happened
Trump made the announcement in a social media post, stating that experts believe Greenland has a significant amount of available oil, surpassing many other locations worldwide. He also highlighted the territory's strategic importance to US defense, noting that any potential attack on the US would need to pass through Greenland, where US defense systems would be able to detect and respond to threats.
A recent security deal between the US, Greenland, and Denmark allows the US to control security for the island, addressing concerns over increasing threats from Russia and China in the Arctic. The agreement recognizes Greenland's right to self-determination and reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.
US-based companies, such as Critical Metals Corp. and Greenland Mines, have already begun exploring mineral deposits in Greenland, including rare earth elements used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense systems. The government of Greenland has approved Critical Metals Corp.'s Tanbreez mining project, which contains 19 approved critical elements, through September 2050.
