Greenland is home to several attractive and strategically important minerals, and there is significant activity with exploration and exploitation projects within the mining industry.
Nuna Law has extensive expertise in Greenland’s mining sector and more than 20 years of experience in the field. We assist a wide range of international mining companies and have advised on the majority of mineral exploitation projects in Greenland.
There is no private land ownership in Greenland, as all land is publicly owned.
In order to carry out mineral prospecting and exploration in Greenland, companies must obtain a licence from the Government of Greenland, which may grant an exclusive licence for a specific area and for one or more specific minerals. Exploration licences are issued for two consecutive periods of five years and may thereafter be extended in three-year intervals, up to a maximum total duration of 22 years.
If a licensee under an exploration licence has substantiated and delineated a viable mineral deposit which the licensee intends to exploit and has performed all its obligations in relation to the licence and activities under the licence, the licensee is entitled to be granted an exploitation licence. Exploitation licences may be granted for up to 30 years and can be extended one or more times for periods of up to 20 years each, provided the total licence period does not exceed 50 years.
We regularly advise on applications for exploration and exploitation licences, licence terms and conditions, direct and indirect licence transfers, as well as EIA and SIA matters. We also assist in preparing legal opinions and conducting due diligence processes in connection with fundraising.
Beyond advising on mining regulation, we provide various other legal services to mining companies and contractors, such as establishing companies in Greenland, preparation of supplier contracts and employment contracts, obtaining residence and work permits for foreign workers.
We also offer business address services for companies with a permanent place of business in Greenland.
If you need advice on the legal framework for mining in Greenland or related areas of law, please contact us at Nuna Law. We have many years of experience advising on the legislative framework for mineral activities, along with in-depth knowledge of regulatory processes and the political landscape.
We also have extensive experience in establishing joint venture partnerships, financing projects, and more, providing a solid foundation for delivering high-quality legal guidance to clients in the mining sector.
