Greenland’s fishing communities fear loss of traditional waters as rare earth mining expands

The remote town of Qaqortoq in South Greenland sits at the center of a growing conflict between economic opportunity and cultural preservation. As global demand for critical minerals surges, mining companies are increasingly eyeing the region’s vast deposits of rare earth elements (REEs) – some of the largest reserves outside of China. These minerals, prized for their magnetic properties, are essential components in everything from wind turbines to military weapons systems.

For local fishermen like Jens Peter, however, the promise of mining jobs and economic independence comes with a troubling cost. The expansion of mining operations into coastal areas threatens to restrict access to the very fjords that have sustained Greenlandic communities for generations. In a region already struggling with high unemployment, residents find themselves torn between the economic benefits that mining could bring and the potential loss of their traditional fishing and hunting grounds.

This dilemma reflects Greenland’s broader geopolitical significance as nations worldwide scramble to secure supplies of critical minerals for green energy transitions and national defense. The island’s rare earth deposits have thrust this Arctic territory into international spotlight, but local communities worry their voices may be drowned out by global economic interests.

Greenland now faces a defining choice: whether to prioritize rapid economic development through resource extraction or find ways to balance mineral wealth with the protection of indigenous livelihoods and coastal heritage. The decision will shape not only the island’s economic future but also determine whether traditional ways of life can coexist with the demands of the modern global economy.