EU pledges support for Greenland's critical minerals sector

The EU will support the development of Greenland's critical raw materials sector through a new €200 million investment package to connect sustainable mining projects on the Arctic island with European industrial supply chains.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the Global Gateway Partnership Package during a visit to Nuuk on Sept. 7, saying the funding would be deployed in cooperation with Greenland across 2026 and 2027. The first set of Global Gateway projects would cover priority sectors such as digital connectivity, sustainable raw materials, sustainable energy, capacity building, jobs and quality of life.

In a subsequent press release, the EU said it would support Greenlandic mining projects through technical analysis and investor matchmaking, with the aim of building resilient, integrated value chains linked to European industry. The Commission did not specify how much of the package would be allocated directly to critical raw materials projects.

The initiative builds on existing investments, including the Malmbjerg mining project, while GreenRoc's Amitsoq graphite project was highlighted as another example of EU-Greenland cooperation.

Amitsoq has been designated an EU Strategic Project under the bloc's Critical Raw Materials Act, reflecting its potential to attract investment, strengthen security of supply and support an integrated Greenland-EU graphite value chain.

The package comes as the EU seeks to reduce vulnerabilities in its critical raw materials supply chains by securing trusted sources of minerals needed by European industry. Greenland's extensive mineral resources and strategic Arctic location have made the territory an increasingly important partner for the bloc.

Von der Leyen also signed a renewed Joint Declaration with Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, broadening cooperation in sustainable raw materials, clean energy, infrastructure, digital connectivity, research and innovation.

"Greenland can count on the EU," von der Leyen said. "With a new EU-Greenland Partnership package, worth €200 million, this will create new opportunities and a strong and engaged EU in both Greenland and the Arctic. Because Greenland is a strategic ally and a trusted friend."

Greenland's mineral resources have attracted heightened global interest, following declarations of interest from US President Donald Trump regarding the acquisition of mineral-rich Arctic Island. This mineral wealth includes rare earth elements, graphite, copper, nickel, zinc, iron ore and tungsten, considered critical across a host of energy transition technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and sensitive military applications.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed neodymium-praseodymium oxide at $112/kg on Aug. 28, unchanged from the prior month.