Greenland’s Rare Earth Resources Draw Industry Attention

Greenland has attracted interest from mining companies and governments due to its large rare earth element (REE) deposits, which are important for various industrial applications.

Amaroq Ltd identified REE mineralisation in the Ilua Pegmatite Zone within its Nunarsuit licence area in South Greenland, with total rare earth oxide grades reaching up to 2.31%. The company reported that the mineralisation consists of both heavy and light rare earth elements, including magnetic metals such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium.

Eclipse Metals Ltd confirmed high-grade REE mineralisation at its Grønnedal Prospect in southwest Greenland, with total rare earth oxide content exceeding 2%. One drill sample from this site returned 20,092 ppm (2.01%) TREO, with measurable concentrations of several magnetic metals.

The Ilua pegmatite system, according to Amaroq Ltd, is several metres wide and extends for about five kilometres. The company plans to evaluate additional parallel structures in the 2026 exploration season as part of its ongoing assessment.

What the numbers show

• Greenland holds about 1.5 million tonnes of rare earth oxide equivalent
• The Kvanefjeld deposit contains an estimated 1.01 billion tonnes grading 1.10% TREO+
• Critical Metals signed a 10-year supply agreement for up to 10,000 metric tons annually from Tanbreez

Greenland is home to two of the world’s largest rare earth deposits: Kvanefjeld and Tanbreez. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has estimated that the Gardar igneous province in South Greenland may contain up to 20% of global rare earth resources.

Despite these resources, no rare earth mine has yet commenced production in Greenland. The country’s mining sector remains limited, with only one operational anorthosite mine and a second gold mine in planning stages. Rare earth projects continue to face logistical, financial, and regulatory challenges.

Development at the Kvanefjeld deposit was halted after Greenland’s 2021 ban on uranium mining. This decision led to a legal dispute involving a claim of up to $11.5 billion under investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms.

In 2025, Critical Metals signed an agreement to supply heavy rare earth concentrate from the Tanbreez Project to a U.S. government-funded facility in Louisiana. The contract covers up to 10,000 metric tons per year over a ten-year period, according to company statements.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.