Greenland’s parliament has unanimously backed a proposal calling for a ban on deep-sea mining and exploration until the end of 2029, citing concerns over the potential impact on the marine environment. The autonomous Danish territory could extend the moratorium in two-year increments under the proposal.
The motion was adopted on Thursday, 15 October, and calls on the Greenlandic government to draft legislation prohibiting deep-sea mining and exploration.
WWF Greenland welcomed the decision as “an important step in the right direction”, noting that scientific understanding of the potential environmental consequences of deep-sea mining remains limited.
Fishing is a cornerstone of Greenland’s economy, while hunting remains essential to the livelihoods of many local communities. Residents are concerned that extracting minerals from the seabed could threaten the Arctic island’s fragile marine ecosystems and the resources on which they depend.
Balancing environmental protection and economic ambitions
Greenland’s largely untapped mineral deposits, both on land and beneath the seabed, are also seen as a potential source of economic growth. Minerals used in emerging technologies and defence industries could help the territory strengthen its economy and advance its long-term ambition of independence from Denmark, a goal supported by a majority of its roughly 57,000 residents.
Under the proposal adopted on Thursday, the Greenlandic government would be able to extend the moratorium in two-year periods.
WWF said the decision offered Greenland an opportunity to send a clear message that protecting the ocean, nature and local livelihoods must remain a priority as new forms of marine resource extraction are considered.
Decision follows Trump’s remarks
The parliamentary vote came a day after US President Donald Trump said oil, gas and mineral extraction was about to begin in Greenland, without specifically referring to deep-sea mining.
Greenland halted the issuance of new oil and gas exploration licences in 2021. No industrial-scale oil or gas drilling has taken place on the island, where harsh conditions and limited infrastructure make operations difficult.
The debate over resource extraction comes amid heightened geopolitical interest in the Arctic. In September, the United States signed a security agreement with Greenland and Denmark following Trump’s threats to seize the strategically important territory by force.
Be First to Comment