Our raw materials policy must be based on balance

The mineral hunt is in full swing all over the world and the intensity is high.

This can be felt at the world's largest raw materials conference PDAC in Toronto, where Naalakkersuisut is represented this year by both the responsible naalakkersuisoq for business, raw materials, energy, the justice sector and gender equality, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA) and the responsible naalakkersuisoq for nature and environment, Peter Borg (D).

– There is a lot happening in the area at the moment, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. There is a global mineral hunt underway with a geopolitical overlay. It is intense and different from the last time I was here, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who has held countless meetings with companies, business leaders and ministers during the conference.

Common front

It is new that the political leaders of both jurisdictions are represented at the conference, but actually very natural when the coalition agrees that environmental protection is a central and equal part of the mineral resources legislation in Greenland.

According to Naaja H. Nathanielsen, it has a different weight when naalakkersuisoq for the environment is present and articulates the environmental conditions to the companies.

– It makes perfect sense, and I am pleased with the close cooperation we have and that we can show that we stand with a common front.

Greater understanding of the industry

In addition to participating in both the kick-off meeting with the Greenlandic business community and at Greenland Day, Peter Borg has also held several meetings, including with the licensees in Greenland.

– It has been positive for me in this respect that I have had direct contact and dialogue with both the licensees, but also other players within the mining industry. This is important. Because we need to have a greater understanding of each other. This applies to both politicians, the business community and the companies that want to do business and extract raw materials in Greenland, says Peter Borg, who believes that in the coming years, it should also be prioritized that naalakkersuisoq for nature and environment participate in the raw materials conference in Canada.

A conference with a broad vision

It has been 90 years since the first PDAC conference in Canada took place. Over the years, the conference has evolved from being narrowly focused on mineral exploration, the establishment of mines and the financing of projects to today covering everything from social development, education and the environment to politics, new technologies and much more.

For Peter Borg, it is important that we constantly remember what ordinary citizens often say about mineral extraction in Greenland.

– When talking about mining and raw materials, the main message from the local population is that we must take care of our nature, our animals, our sea and our opportunities to hunt and fish. And social and societal considerations must also be taken into account. Therefore, it is also appropriate that nature and the environment are given a greater place in politics, says Peter Borg.

The dilemma of the raw materials industry

Both in his speech to the participants at Greenland Day and here at Sermitsiaq, Peter Borg states that the development of society and consideration for nature are not opposites, but rather prerequisites for each other.

– We live in nature – not next to it, and we are aware that nature does not belong to us. We must ensure that mineral development is a long-term strength for society, while at the same time that our descendants must be able to move around in the same landscape as we do. Raw material extraction affects the surroundings. But we must work with the industry to find out how to leave the smallest possible footprint so that we can utilize some of our resources to develop society. That is the balance we need to find, says Peter Borg.

Cooperation with Canada

This year, the Greenlandic delegation focused particularly on the Canadian cooperation opportunities.

– Overall, there is increased focus in the Canadian mineral resources sector and government to cooperate more on developing mineral resources development in Greenland. We welcome this. This will mean that our mineral resources sector may be able to develop faster and better than it otherwise would have done, says Peter Borg.

For Naaja H. Nathanielsen, it is very positive that Canada has now taken the initiative for a more formalized cooperation with Greenland.

– We have long been curious about Canada, and there have been several attempts by successive Greenland governments to collaborate in the areas of fisheries, research, labor exchange, trade agreements, air routes, etc. over the years. I cannot say whether it is the geopolitical situation or something else that makes Canada now share our enthusiasm for doing more together.

More agreements under way

Although so far only one agreement has been signed stating that an agreement should be concluded, it is a first step in the right direction. And more agreements are under way in a number of areas, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who sees Canada advancing on the global stage as a leading raw materials country.

– Canada is very ambitious and targeted also in terms of establishing partnerships with mineral companies. They now have more than 50 agreements in place, including the most recent one with Greenland Resources' project in Malmbjerget, which we are very pleased about, because it is an indirect investment in Greenland, and it is something we have been lobbying for several years. You will have to be more risk-averse and support the mineral projects in the initial phases, and we of course hope that more companies in Greenland can obtain support from Canada, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who also hopes that other countries and the EU Commission will be inspired by Canada to move from good intentions to concrete action.