Revival of a historic graphite mine on Greenland's southern coast

At dawn, a vessel leaves Nanortalik, the southernmost settlement of Greenland, to ferry workers and geologists to Amitsoq island, where a graphite mine that shut down in 1922 is being reactivated. The hillside area contains remnants of old housing and corroded machinery alongside newly arrived equipment such as fuel drums, a pumping system and a drilling rig, all flown in by helicopter. Greenland, despite its low population, is seen as a valuable source of strategic minerals and rare earths essential for military hardware and the energy transition.

The United States, China and Europe are all competing for these resources, with lithium, copper and graphite leading the rush. In response to China’s dominance and U.S. demand, the European Union is seeking to secure its own supply chains.