Grafit project gets exploitation license

On Monday, Naalakkersuisoq signed for business, raw materials, Energy, Justice and Equality Naaja H. Nathanielsen together with Stefan Bernstein, who is director of Greenland Graphite A/S, a 30-year-old exploitation permit for graphite at Piiaaffik Amitsoq.

The permit is given to Greenland Graphite A/S, which is a Greenlandic subsidiary of British GreenRoc Strategic Materials Plc, option in order to utilize graphite, which is used, among other things, in the manufacture of batteries for use in the green transition.

On Monday, Naalakkersuisoq signed for business, raw materials, Energy, Justice and Equality Naaja H. Nathanielsen together with Stefan Bernstein, who is director of Greenland Graphite A/S, a 30-year-old exploitation permit for graphite at Piiaaffik Amitsoq.

The permit is given to Greenland Graphite A/S, which is a Greenlandic subsidiary of British GreenRoc Strategic Materials Plc, option in order to utilize graphite, which is used, among other things, in the manufacture of batteries for use in the green transition.

Effective case management

Naalakkersuisoq for business, raw materials, energy, the area of justice and equality, Naaja H. Nathanielsen, stated during the ceremony that the company's exploitation permit is the third that Naalakkersuisut has announced this year.

In June, it was Greenland Resources that got one exploitation permit for molybdenum from Malmbjerget and in May Greenland Anorthosite Mining, which received an exploitation permit for anorthosite from an area at Qeqertarsuatsiaat.

- It is a very positive record and it is particularly worth it note that the process from submitted application to issued exploitation permit only took 1 year and 3 months. It is significantly shorter than in many other countries and is clear proof that the revised mining law is working as intended. The aim was to streamline the proceedings without compromising on high standards environmental standards, safety and social responsibility. Today's exploitation permit is the result of targeted political work to make Greenland more attractive for responsible investments, while at the same time taking people into account and the environment seriously, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen in a press release.

Important milestone for the company

Director of Greenland Graphite A/S, Stefan Bernstein, said signing ceremony that it was a great honor and an important milestone for the company on the way to making graphite production in Greenland a reality again, after the mine has been closed for 100 years.

- At the same time, we are very aware that the extraction from Amitsoq must benefit Greenland, and especially the neighbors in South Greenland, says Stefan Bernstein, who explains to Sermitsiaq that the exploitation permit is important, not least for investors, because it shows that there is politics goodwill towards the project.

- The exploitation permit removes some uncertainties especially for investors, because they now know how Greenlandic society stands in relation to the project. An exploitation permit is very tangible proof that one in Greenland, they mean it seriously when they say they want to be one raw material country.

Long way to go

According to Stefan Bernstein, however, there is a long way to go before the company can get started with actual production of graphite. The company will soon ship the 30-35 bags of graphite ore that will be needed further studies at laboratories abroad.

- The results from the laboratories must be included in the large profitability study, which we expect to launch during the coming year. In addition, we count to start a drilling campaign in the spring that will give us more information on how the refraction can take place. So we still have a few more years of work ahead of us before we can start setting up mine, says Stefan Bernstein, who also mentions that approval of environmental and social statements is pending as well breaking and decommissioning plans.

Consequences for the environment and society

Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Catching, Agriculture, Self-sufficiency and Environment, Peter Borg, was also present at the signing ceremony and stressed the importance of resource projects being developed with respect for nature and environment, and that it was crucial that the work with environmental assessments and societal sustainability is anchored in openness, professionalism and involvement of locals.

The next step for Greenland Graphite is to send the project descriptions for the environmental and social reports (EIA and VSB) i consultation. When these have been approved by Naalakkersuisut, the company must prepare mine- and decommissioning plans.

Greenland Graphite A/S has until 31 December 2028 to submit a mine and decommissioning plans. The mining activities must be initiated no later than 31 December 2030, unless otherwise approved.

Before exploitation activities begin, an agreement on societal sustainability (Impact Benefit Agreement), entered into between the company, Kommune Kujalleq and Naalakkersuisut.