Trump Says Massive Energy, Mineral Exploration Ready to Start in Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 14 that a massive exploration for oil, gas, and minerals was preparing to begin in Greenland, the autonomous territory of Denmark.

Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, writing that some experts had indicated that the amount of available oil in Greenland is “far greater than that of almost any land, anywhere in the World.”

He did not provide details about the exploration project.

Trump also touted Greenland’s military strategic importance, saying that any future attack on the United States would have to pass through Greenland, where he said U.S. defense would “routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived.”

“It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World,” the post reads.

On Sept. 22, Trump signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark that allows the United States to control security for the world’s largest island.

The deal came months after Trump expressed interest in taking control of Greenland, citing increasing threats from Russia and China in the Arctic.

Trump said the agreement, which amends the 1951 U.S.–Denmark defense agreement, would give the United States “permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland” and address all U.S. concerns.

The deal reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, while recognizing Greenland’s right to self-determination.

The United States, Denmark, and Greenland also agreed that states and investors not part of NATO or the European Union should not be allowed to exercise control, exert significant influence, or access information that could “constitute a threat to national security or public order” within their territories.

The terms of the agreement published by the White House did not include any specific provisions on oil, gas, or mineral exploration in Greenland. But it recognizes U.S. cooperation with Greenland in the areas of science, education, minerals, economic development and business promotion, and cultural and local partnerships.

U.S.-based Critical Metals Corp announced on Oct. 5 that the government of Greenland had formally approved its Tanbreez mining project through September 2050.

The company said the Tanbreez deposit contains 19 approved critical elements, including terbium, dysprosium, and yttrium, which are used in high-temperature permanent magnets for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense systems.

Critical Metals CEO and Chairman Tony Sage said in a statement that the government’s approval would provide the company “a clear framework through 2050 to responsibly develop one of the world’s largest heavy rare earth deposits, in partnership with the Government of Greenland and the communities of South Greenland.”

Greenland Mines, which is based in North Carolina, also submitted an application on Sept. 21 to double the size of its rare-earth mine to supply magnet metals needed for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems in Greenland.

The company is developing a rare-earth project for neodymium and praseodymium that could reduce the Western Hemisphere’s dependence on China for magnet rare-earth minerals. China-based processors control at least 75 percent of the global market for all rare-earth elements.

Timothy Frudd and Jill McLaughlin contributed to this report.