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Mineral riches: a route to Greenland's independence?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2016

Jørgen Taagholt  and
Kent Brooks
Jørgen Taagholt
Affiliation:
Danish Arctic Institute, Strandgade 102, DK-1401 København K, Denmark
Kent Brooks
Affiliation:
Museum of Natural History of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5–7, DK 1350 København K, Denmark ([email protected])
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Abstract

This paper presents a brief history of Greenland which sets the scene for unprecedented recent developments, both materially and politically. After the war, in 1953, the political status of Greenland was changed from colony to an integral part of Denmark. Greenland gained home rule [Hjemmestyre] in 1979 and greater devolution to self rule [Selvstyre] in 2009. The population is becoming centralised, increasingly resembling consumer societies worldwide. In recent years the economy has been mainly based upon fish and mining, although at present there is no active mine and the economy is declining, making the country increasingly dependent on subsidies from Denmark. The former president recently predicted that Greenland would leave Denmark within her life-time, a view based upon her vision of the development of a rich mining industry. Additionally she established a reconciliation committee to examine supposed ill-treatment by Denmark. The present situation and the unrealistic expectations of huge production of different minerals are discussed based upon accepted predictions of mineral resources, world market prices, logistic problems (lack of infrastructure and tiny population) and environmental concerns. During the past year, a more realistic and less confrontational debate on the relations between Denmark and Greenland has been evident.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 52 , Issue 3 , May 2016 , pp. 360 - 371
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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