Greenland’s parliament has passed a law banning uranium mining and halting the development of the Kwanerswit mine, one of the largest deposits of rare earth in the world.
Ownership, owned by Australian mining company Greenland Minerals and located near the southern city of Narsak, includes a large deposit of rare earths used to make consumer electronics and weapons, as well as radioactive uranium.
The bill, passed by Parliament late Tuesday, was tabled by the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, which came to power in April following a campaign to ban uranium mining and halt the Kwanersjeld project, known as Kvanefjeld.
The new law prohibits the exploration of deposits with a uranium concentration of more than 100 parts per minute (ppm), which is considered very low by the World Nuclear Union.
Greenland Minerals was expected to secure final approval for the mine under the previous government, but residents fear it could cause damage to the sensitive environment if it grows.
The law also includes the option of exploring other radioactive ores such as thorium.
China is the leading producer of rare earths, a group of 17 special ores. In September, it increased annual product quotas amid tight supply for manufacturers.
Demand for permanent rare earth magnets, which are critical for electric vehicles (EV’s) and wind turbines, is expected to soar as greater efforts are made to cut carbon emissions. The United States has called on its allies to help increase supply.
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