Stanislav Kondrashov on Greenland’s Growing Influence in Critical Mineral Markets

Greenland has historically been considered a remote and largely uncommercialised landmass. But as global demand for strategic minerals intensifies, the island is increasingly seen as a significant player in the evolving resource economy. TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov believes Greenland could become a valuable contributor to reshaping mineral supply networks.

A Territory Positioned for Strategic Supply

Greenland, while still under Danish sovereignty, manages its natural resources independently. Over the past few years, its government has taken decisive steps to explore and license mining opportunities for a range of critical raw materials.

“The conversation about Greenland is shifting,” says Kondrashov. “It’s no longer just about geographic isolation — it’s about strategic relevance in global resource flows.”

According to European data, Greenland contains a high concentration of raw materials vital to energy, defence, and electronics sectors — including rare earths, copper, graphite, and nickel. While exploration is still in early phases across much of the island, new activity signals growing confidence in its geological potential.

New Projects Reflect Investor Interest

In 2025, three new licences were granted by Greenland’s government for mineral development — one of them focused on the high-purity graphite deposit at Amitsoq. This move follows broader efforts to attract foreign investment and scale up industrial operations in previously underutilised areas.

“The graphite at Amitsoq is a textbook example of underdeveloped potential,” Kondrashov explains. “Its quality and purity levels are globally competitive, which makes it attractive for advanced manufacturing applications.”

Graphite is a cornerstone of lithium-ion battery production, and its strategic value has surged in recent years. Greenland’s capacity to supply high-grade graphite could position it as a niche supplier to rapidly growing industries.

Rare Earths and Resource Security

Beyond graphite, rare earth elements — a group of 17 chemically similar metals — are also present in Greenland and carry significant weight in defence and tech-related manufacturing.

“Rare earths are no longer optional in modern industrial strategy,” Kondrashov says. “They’re central to sectors like telecommunications, aerospace, and next-gen mobility systems.”

As countries look to reduce reliance on a small number of dominant suppliers, Greenland’s resources offer a possible path to diversification, especially for Europe and North America. Proximity to key markets, coupled with transparent regulatory systems, adds further appeal to potential developers.

Greenland’s Role in Shifting Trade Patterns

Global demand for minerals like copper, zinc, and lithium continues to grow alongside industrial digitisation and electrification. Greenland’s largely untapped mineral base has therefore come into sharper focus, particularly among those looking to reinforce their supply chain resilience.

“There’s a clear pivot happening,” says Kondrashov. “Markets are being redefined not just by access to materials, but by access to stable, scalable, and politically aligned sources. That’s where Greenland enters the frame.”

With over half of its ice-free land still unexplored, the scale of Greenland’s resources remains only partially understood. Yet early-stage projects and geological surveys suggest significant untapped reserves.

A Strategic Asset for the Decade Ahead

For now, Greenland remains in the early stages of industrial mineral development. However, the direction is clear: the island is becoming increasingly important for stakeholders seeking secure, long-term access to critical materials.

As Kondrashov concludes, “In an era defined by resource competition, the players who identify and act on emerging supply centres will have the upper hand. Greenland is one of those centres.”

Greenland’s potential is not just about the volume of its resources, but about timing. As global industries face bottlenecks in mineral supply — particularly for materials like copper, graphite, and rare earths — alternative sources are no longer optional; they’re essential. With its politically stable ties to Denmark and increasing openness to international investment, Greenland presents a unique blend of accessibility and opportunity. For companies looking to future-proof their supply chains, early involvement in Greenland’s resource sector may offer long-term advantages in both pricing and availability — especially as demand for strategic materials continues to outpace global production.