Mineral diplomacy in Greenland

Learning from US-European history of engagement at the Ivittuut cryolite mine

Bibliographic Data

ID13136909
AuthorsThomas Nolan Hale (0000-0002-6486-6888, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, corresponding author), Saleem H Ali (0000-0003-0961-4327, corresponding author), Saleem Ali (0000-0002-2943-9557, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume7
Publication date2025-08-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Political Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2673-3145 • E-ISSN: 2673-3145
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpos.2025.1584988
OpenAlexW4413368722
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited40

Growing extractive and geopolitical interest in Greenland is leading to a confluence of threats and opportunities for communities in determining their future economic development pathways. This paper investigates the diplomatic history of the Ivittuut cryolite mine in Southwest Greenland as part of a larger participatory mapping project focused on interviewing stakeholders in the Arsuk fjord on future development pathways in the Ivittuut region. Ivittuut was a key strategic outpost supporting U.S and European cooperation during World War II. In particular, we define the political process of mineral diplomacy and how cryolite was at the heart of US-European diplomacy in Greenland and how minerals could potentially again be a source of cooperation rather than conflict. Greenland can be a frontline for mineral diplomacy, bridging interests between Europe and the US but key to moving forward with such a process requires critical reflection of who was excluded and included in previous mining engagements. Mineral diplomacy today often reflects colonial extractive pressures and military strategic interests, but we argue that political geology frameworks must be included to ensure that mineral diplomacy processes foster long-term sustainable mineral investment while ensuring local communities and Greenlandic values are protected and included in throughout the process

Archaeology · Cryolite · Diplomacy · Geochemistry · Mineral · Norwegian · Political science · Politics · Arctic and Russian Policy Studies · Chemistry · History · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Mining and Resource Management · Geology · Oceanography

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