The Australian mineral resources company Energy Transition Minerals, which, through its subsidiary Greenland Minerals, has an exploration permit for Kuannersuit, is now making a direct appeal to the members of Inatsisartut.
The company, which has filed a lawsuit against the self-government because they believe they are entitled to have a process carried out towards an extraction license for Kuannersuit, also stands to lose the exploration license and thus the right to continue to do field work in the license area, if the Greenlandic Government ends up following the recommendation from the Ministry of Mineral Resources.
Has invested close to 1 billion kroner
According to the letter, signed by Director Daniel Mamadou, Naalakkersuisut is undermining trust in Greenland's entire mineral resources sector, and the members of Inatsisartut are therefore urged to act to restore trust so that "the sector can realize its full potential for the benefit of Greenlandic society".
According to the letter, ETM has invested close to 1 billion kroner in the Kuannersuit project over the past decade and has "fully complied with all relevant rules and requirements".
The director emphasizes that the company has placed great emphasis on "local involvement in Narsaq, including local employment, skills development and contribution to the local economy. We are committed to building partnerships that create clear and lasting benefits both for local communities, including Narsaq, and for Greenland as a whole."
Case law
Regarding the upcoming lawsuit against the self-government, the company writes that it was not a path they would have chosen, "but that it has become necessary to protect our long-standing commitment to the project. We believe that we have a strong legal case, and we stand firm in our position. At the same time, a lengthy and costly legal process is not in anyone's interest, and we remain open to finding a constructive and balanced solution".
The company further writes that they are determined to solve local and environmental challenges in full compliance with the highest international standards for environmental protection, safety and responsible mining".
Statement on liability risks
Finally, Daniel Mamadou calls on the members of Inatsisartut to demand that Naalakkersuisut publish a statement on the potential consequences of the Uranium Act, including possible liability risks in relation to the Kuannersuit project.
"Although the Greenland Government maintained that no information had been withheld and committed to publishing a statement by spring 2024, such a statement has not been published. ETM would therefore urge the members of the Greenland Government to request the Greenland Government to ensure that such a statement is completed and published without further delay in accordance with the parliament's original request and in the interests of transparency," writes Daniel Mamadou.
Completely normal procedure
Sermitsiaq has attempted to get a comment from some of the members of the Greenland Government on the letter. However, only Demokraatits' Justus Hansen has returned the inquiry. He writes briefly that he neither can nor will interfere in a case that is currently under legal proceedings".
Sermitsiaq has also asked the Department of Mineral Resources whether they have withheld a statement on the potential consequences of the Uranium Act, including possible liability risks for the members of Inatsisartut.
"When the last elections were called, the legal investigation of "Naalakkersuisut's information on the Uranium Act and its consequences" was put on hold until Inatsisartut wanted something else. This is completely normal procedure. It was Inatsisartut's audit committee that at the time requested this investigation.", the Department of Mineral Resources writes to Sermitsiaq.
