Greenland allows the exploitation of uranium and rare earth in the Arctic

With a close share of 15 votes and 14 votes against, Greenland Parliament on October 24 voted to end the decades-long ban on the exploitation of radioactive materials such as uranium , opening up opportunities for Investors from all over the world are targeting the vast mineral resources of this vast island region.

Reporters said the decision of the Greenland Parliament not only allows the exploitation of uranium mines but also rare earths and minerals used in many products of the 21st century from wind turbines to hybrid and electric cars. Mobile phones that have so far only been provided largely from China. Local newspapers quoted Greenland Prime Minister Aleqa Hammond in a discussion that led to the vote stating: 'We cannot live with unemployment and rising living costs while the economy grows. bad. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the ban on exploitation of uranium mines. '

Greenland is rich in frozen land.(Photo: Kyodo / TTXVN)

With fast melting ice opening new shipping routes in the Arctic region, Greenland is becoming the center of attention for geopolitics for many countries, from China to the European Union, thanks to owning resources. Huge untapped mineral resources.

Greenland, with a population of only 57,000, is an autonomous country in Denmark. Since 2009 after the establishment of a separate government, most Greenland politicians still want to gain more autonomy and gradually move toward full independence. At present, Denmark still has a say in Greenland's defense and security issues and the decision to allow the exploitation of uranium mines may require approval from the Danish Parliament, which has so far provided grant more than half of the budget for this ice island.

According to Cindy Vestergaard, senior researcher at the Danish International Research Institute, both Denmark and Greenland will have to sit together to consider the legal aspects of allowing uranium mining before they can. perform this activity. Earlier, some environmental organizations warned that allowing uranium mining could threaten Greenland's original Arctic ecosystem.