The Isukasia Iron Ore Mine Controversy: Extractive Industries and Public Consultation in Greenland

Nordia Geographical Publications 41: 5, 23–34 Mark Nuttall

The Isukasia iron ore mine controversy: Extractive industries and public consultation in Greenland

Mark Nuttall Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Canada and Greenland Climate Research Centre/University of Greenland, Greenland

Abstract: The development of oil, gas and mineral resources is a stated aim of the Government of Greenland. Since the introduction of Self-Rule in 2009, which has given Greenlanders greater autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark, the exploration for and exploitation of non-renewable resources has been a cornerstone of government policy. A number of mineral exploration and mining development licences have been granted to international companies and exploratory work for oil has continued off west Greenland and will take place in coming years in northwest Greenland and off the east coast. While energy companies and Greenlandic politicians and business leaders remain optimistic that discoveries of commercially-viable oil will be made, mining activities and energy development plans have provoked political and social debates within Greenland about the nature of such development, the absence of appropriate public consultation and regulatory processes, concerns about the impacts of extractive industries on traditional hunting and fishing activities, rights of participation, social and economic benefit agreements, skills and education, and the shortcomings of social and environmental impact assessments. This article discusses this debate with reference to the Isua Iron Ore Project. Located at Isukasia some 150 km northeast of Greenland’s capital Nuuk, this project has been implemented by London Mining and is currently under review by the Greenlandic authorities.

Introduction in Greenland, accounting for it in terms of the trope that resource development is being In recent years, Greenland has assumed made possible and profitable by an Arctic geostrategic importance as a new resource regional warming trend that is eliminating frontier to be opened up and developed for sea ice, melting glaciers and reducing the the global economy. International energy thickness of the inland ice, hence allowing and mining companies have identified the multinational corporations to venture potential for this Danish self-governing into places previously considered remote territory to be a significant source of new and inaccessible (and thus reproducing mineral and oil extraction and interest has the discourse of a “rush to resources” grown in the possibility of developing in the Arctic). Yet Naalakkersuisut, the mines and in oil exploration opportunities Greenlandic government, implements in offshore waters (Nuttall 2012). Media policies that actively promote exploration reports often call attention to climate change and investment in extractive activities and as being one reason for such global interest climate change merely brings into focus

23 The Isukasia iron ore mine controversy: Extractive... NGP Yearbook 2012 the speculative and capital penetration surface melt of the Greenland inland ice, motives for what is essentially an ongoing as well as international media coverage of process of frontier expansion and resource a “monstrous” iceberg that calved from the development evident in other parts of the Petermann Glacier in northern Greenland, world (Browder et al. 2008; Hirsch 2009). all seemed to add to recent scientific In this article, I draw on current and concern that a “tipping point” in Arctic ongoing research in Greenland that explores climate systems is being approached with the social, political and environmental alarming speed (e.g. Wassmann & Lenton dimensions of climate change and resource 2012). Greenland is one region of the development – in particular, how the global North that has come to represent country is anticipating and discussing both the image and reality of catastrophic resource development and is (or is not) and irreversible climate change (Nuttall preparing for large-scale projects. In this 2009; Bjørst 2011). Scientific climate work, I am concerned with a consideration models suggest that average temperatures of both the political discourse surrounding in Greenland will rise by more than 3ºC resource development and the emergent this century. This warming trend would public responses to it, especially debates increase ice melt on the inland ice, which over decision-making processes (e.g. covers around 80% of Greenland’s total Nuttall 2012). As I shall show, with specific area and, together with glacial activity, more reference to a planned iron ore mine freshwater is likely to be introduced into northeast of Greenland’s capital Nuuk, the surrounding fjord and coastal systems public disquiet in Greenland over lack of (ACIA 2005; AMAP 2011). There have appropriate consultation (and criticism over been marked changes in temperature and the absence of information about planned precipitation patterns which will induce megaprojects), as well as over government further changes in snow cover and in the debate on legislation for large-scale projects, distribution of lake ice and sea ice. These is leading to a situation where demands for changes in the physical environment will greater public engagement and participation have far-reaching consequences and will be in discussion and decision-making on apparent in the biodiversity and function of extractive industries as a foundation for marine, terrestrial and limnic ecosystems. Greenland’s future are increasing. Climate change is already having profound impacts on society, economy and culture in some regions of Greenland which are Climate change, politics likely to be magnified in the near future and extractive industries in (Nuttall 2009; AMAP 2011). While these Greenland impacts have negative consequences for some communities and economic activities, In summer 2012, scientific reports on the opportunities also arise – in particular, lowest recorded extent of Arctic Ocean climate change is often cited as opening sea ice, NASA satellite images of 97% of up areas in Greenland that allows for the development of extractive activities.

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However, identifying climate change as it with revenues generated from within the reason for why Greenland is becoming Greenland and derived from new forms of accessible to multinational corporations economic development. Many Greenlandic is far too simplistic. The unprecedented politicians and business leaders believe the growth of interest expressed in Greenland exploitation of oil, gas and minerals will by international extractive industries in the be the answer and the development of last five to ten years is also largely a result of extractive industries is now a stated aim of an active international marketing campaign the Greenlandic government. Greenland by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum took over control of sub-surface resources (BMP), a Greenland government agency on 1st January 2010, thus paving the way for under the Minister for Industry and Mineral direct negotiation between the Greenlandic Resources. The Employers’ Association authorities and companies interested in of Greenland (GA), the country’s biggest developing Greenland’s resources. trade organization, also plays a large part Foreign companies involved in extractive and has positioned itself in a new role as industries are being courted by the providing a link between Greenlandic and Greenlandic authorities and business foreign companies. leaders and are being invited to explore for While we should not dismiss climate and invest in oil and minerals, but it is the change – together with the “greening of very idea of Greenland becoming greener Greenland” discourse – entirely, the gradual and warmer as a result of climate change marking out and the industrialization of that often frames political discourse about the Greenlandic resource frontier is more economic opportunities (Nuttall 2008, the result of a Greenlandic nation-building 2009). As such, climate change is viewed and state-formation process underway since as empowering by many Greenlandic Greenland achieved Home Rule within politicians and business leaders and the Kingdom of Denmark in 1979, one the current trajectory of political and which also involves a political redefinition economic development involves embedding of environment and resources with the Greenland deeper into global networks potential for far-reaching consequences for and circuits of resource extraction and human-environmental relations. In 2009, commodity production. Ambitious for Greenland achieved greater autonomy in industrial development within the context the form of Self-Rule, but the Greenlandic of its new form of self-government, economy remains dependent for almost Greenland is experiencing greater interest 60% of its budget revenue on a 3.5 billion from multinational corporations engaged DKK annual block grant, which was in a search for oil, gas and minerals. These frozen with the implementation of self- companies imagine, approach, and represent government, and other transfers it receives Greenland as a new resource frontier and from Denmark. The most significant make promises of great economic benefit, challenge to securing and sustaining greater wealth creation, and new educational skills self-government is overcoming this reliance and job opportunities for local people. on the Danish block grant and replacing Greenlandic élites (politicians and business

25 The Isukasia iron ore mine controversy: Extractive... NGP Yearbook 2012 leaders) and international companies (largely in southwest Greenland and one of the those involved in extractive industries) biggest fjord systems in the world. At some are engaged in a collective enterprise of 3.8 billion years old, Isua contains some of conceiving, imagining and actualizing the the world’s oldest geological formations, future of this Arctic region (Nuttall 2012). including a green rock called Grønlandit, In this way, plans for resource development which is possibly the world’s oldest precious in Greenland represent the enactment of stone (Appel & al. 2008). Carrying out a resource frontier as a relational zone, research in Nuuk since February 2012, I “produced through scaled interactions have followed the twists and turns of what which are simultaneously material and has become the Isukasia iron ore mine representational” (Barney 2009: 147). controversy. While self-government and the financial In this area of great geological antiquity, return from resource development may the presence of unoxidised magnetite on mean a greater degree of independence the surface reveals tantalizing glimpses of from Denmark in the long-term, along with what lies below. Isukasia was first explored new employment opportunities, extractive in 1962 by Kryolitselskabet Øresund (KØ), industries nonetheless pose considerable a Danish cryolite mining company which threats to society and environment. The later discovered the Isua BIF outcrop in construction and operational phases of 1965 following an aeromagnetic anomaly. large-scale projects may also mean the The discovery of this 2 billion tonne iron beginning of new forms of dependency ore deposit attracted great interest in the relations as multinational corporations and geology of the larger Isua area of which foreign investors broker deals and exert Isukasia is part and prospectors became influence over Greenlandic politics and interested in the potential for other minerals business. and precious stones. KØ continued its exploratory activities and mapped Isukasia in 1966. A hematite ore body was first The iron ore mine postulated from surface boulder terrain project at Isukasia and in 1970 Marcona, a company from the United States, was attracted to the In 2006, the United Kingdom-based project. Marcona conducted drilling and company London Mining obtained an metallurgical work in 1971, and over the exploration licence for an iron ore deposit next decade research was carried out on at Isukasia, an Archaean banded iron the inland ice and glacier terminus, along formation (BIF) located approximately 150 with open cut and underground feasibility km northeast of Nuuk. The deposit lies on studies, as well as hydropower studies. In the edge of the inland ice, in a mountainous 1995-97, RTZ/Rio Tinto drilled through area located in the Isua Greenstone Belt, a the inland ice to reach banded hematite, region accessible from deep in the Nuuk having postulated its existence from gravity Fjord (Nuup Kangerlua), the longest fjord data and studies of the glacial moraine.

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With this baseline geological data and southern parts to a maximum depth confirming the potential of Isukasia, and of 130 m. To extract much of the ore, the guided by feasibility studies carried out mountain will be gradually cut away and the by the Quebec engineering firm SNC- surrounding ice will have to be removed. As Lavalin (e.g. SNC-Lavalin 2010), London the open mine pit is deepened, the rate of Mining plans to produce 10 million tonnes glacial ice inflow will increase to something of iron ore concentrate a year from an like 5 m a year, which London Mining open pit mine with backing from Chinese estimates will mean some 3.5 million tonnes investors. Having carried out environmental of ice will have to be removed annually. and social impact assessments as well The large-scale, intensive nature of both as all relevant technical studies required construction and operational phases of the under Greenland’s Mineral Resources Act, project raise considerable local concerns London Mining submitted its application over environmental disturbance both on for construction and operation of the land and sea, especially from pollution, in mine to the Greenlandic authorities in the an area already experiencing the effects summer of 2012. Beyond the development of climate change. As well as the mining of the open pit mine itself, which covers and processing of the ore, large ships will an area of 2 km², the project will involve sail regularly in and out of Nuuk Fjord major infrastructure in a licence district of bringing in supplies and taking away the 26 km² in the form of processing systems concentrate. and tailings ponds, an oil-fired power Isukasia and the Nuuk Fjord are plant, accommodation for several hundred important social, cultural and economic employees, deepwater port facilities in the environments which many people from innermost part of Nuuk Fjord, an airport Nuuk and the village of Kapisillit in the and heliport, a 103 km long road from the inner part of the fjord depend on to sustain port to the mine, and a slurry pipeline of their hunting and fishing livelihoods. Place similar length that will deliver the product names and local narrative accounts of seal from the processing plant to the port, from hunting, tracking reindeer, or fishing, or where it will be shipped to foreign markets. travelling by boat or walking across the land, The mine is expected to have a lifetime of 10 attest to the historical and contemporary years, with a possible extension to 15 years. use of the area. Harp and hooded seals are Furthermore, the mine will lie south of an a significant catch mainly in areas close to area of proposed hydropower development Nuuk, in the outer fjord and around the for Alcoa’s planned aluminium smelter near skerries, while ringed seals are also hunted Maniitsoq further up the coast from Nuuk, close to the town but also in the innermost adding to the marking out, delineation and parts of the fjord. Atlantic cod, salmon, development of a central west Greenlandic Greenland halibut and other fish species industrial heartland. are caught throughout the wider Nuuk The central part of the Isukasia deposit Fjord system, with fishermen ranging deep outcrops as a mountain at the surface, but into the ice fjords, while berries and edible is covered by the inland ice in the northern plants are picked around the Isukasia area.

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Some local people also gather rocks and to explore, London Mining has held several stones for making jewellery and other public information sessions in Nuuk. crafts and the Isua area is of particular Naalakkersuisut announced that four public importance to local carvers because of its hearings would be held in September and soapstone. Because of Nuuk’s population October 2012 and that public comment was of around 15,500 people, the Nuuk Fjord invited and would be taken into account system is also the most intensively used when parliament discussed legislation for area in Greenland for recreational purposes. large-scale projects and deliberated on While local people are concerned with the a decision on the Isua Iron Ore Project impacts the mine will have on all these during is autumn session. Naalakkersuisut activities, Isukasia is an important area delegated responsibility to organizing the for reindeer, which are hunted during late hearings to London Mining, but in a token summer and autumn. In public meetings nod to democratic and public consultation and in media debates, local people have the company was told it could not itself often identified the potential impacts the preside over the hearings. Instead, a local mine and its associated infrastructure, such consultancy firm with clients in the mining as the all-weather haul road, pipeline and 24 sector was hired to chair proceedings, hour mining and production activity, will raising questions about the independent have on reindeer as something they worry nature of the process. about most. At the hearings, which were held at the University of Greenland, company employees and consultants from Denmark Information sessions and Canada, hired by London Mining to carry and public meetings out the environmental and social impact assessments and the engineering work for Greenland’s 2009 Mineral Resources Act the project, summarized several thousand makes no mention of public consultation pages of technical reports in a dizzying array (although it talks of public opinion), but of short, colourful PowerPoint presentations BMP guidelines for environmental impact with detailed digitized topography maps, assessment (EIA) do require companies to providing summaries of aeromagnetic involve the public throughout the process, surveys, information on the pipeline route and public comment on the EIA should be and the deepwater harbour, and examples considered and addressed. However, the of the equipment needed, including high nature of public consultation – indeed, what pressure grinding rolls and triple drum actually constitutes public consultation – is magnetic separators. Understanding of the not defined and the BMP guidelines seem scientific and technical vocabulary was often to equate consultation with information, hindered by problems in translation from leaving it more or less up to the companies Danish to Greenlandic and vice versa. Yet involved in extractive resource projects to what was significant about the hearings is determine the extent of public consultation that they were not really hearings at all – they to be carried out. Since obtaining its licence were essentially information sessions – and

28 Nordia Geographical Publications 41: 5, 23–34 Mark Nuttall they highlighted the reality that Greenland third meeting, “This was not a hearing, it has yet to develop and implement regulatory was a public information session. It was procedures and public hearings overseen by a one-way process and the organizers an independent review panel that guides wanted to be in control. They wanted to decision-making processes. While Denmark avoid a debate.” Another hunter remarked, ratified the 1998 Aarhus Convention on “The environmental impact assessment Access to Information, Public Participation raises significant questions of concern and in Decision-Making and Access to Justice this should be an independent, objective in Environmental Matters in October process.” 2008, Greenland is not a party to it In the public information sessions and (United Nations Treaty Collection n.d.). As hearings, what struck me most (apart from Greenland is self-governing, it implies inter the absence of an independent review alia that environmental affairs in general and panel) was the way that Isukasia, and the areas covered by the Convention are the wider Isua area, was represented and governed by the right of self-determination. talked about by London Mining and its At each public hearing for the London consultants. The area, people were assured, Mining project, many people who attended was “a wilderness” and “virgin territory” expressed their frustration about a lack of where nobody lived. Hence, people were democratic participation – for example, the told they need not worry about social audience was told that questions could be impacts because it was a place far from asked towards the end of the meeting, but populated areas. Furthermore, consultants would not be answered until the following from Denmark who had only carried session, which was sometimes two weeks out short-term studies remarked with away, thus constituting a one-way flow of apparent authority that the area was low in information from the proponent to the biodiversity. Thus a cursory experience of public. Isua by outside consultants was accorded Each hearing was scheduled for around the authority of specialized knowledge that three hours and the chairs of the sessions was privileged over the local knowledge of kept each presenter to a strict time. For people who live, travel and move around in example, at the third hearing held on 24th the Nuuk Fjord region. It was emphasized September, presentation of the EIA was that at the end of the project the site kept to 35 minutes – “I do have additional would be cleaned up according to the most slides,” the consultant said after running rigorous environmental guidelines and that quickly through his talk, “but I am being there would be no sign of the mine and its told I have run out of time.” Hence, people infrastructure ever having been there. When left at the close of the meetings having one man in the audience commented that heard simplified and distilled accounts of a mountain would be removed and a huge highly complex aspects of the project and hole in the ground would be made, one of many questioned the social legitimacy of the Danish consultant engineers responded the process. As one man, a hunter in his that “Meltwater from the inland ice will fill early forties, told me immediately after the the hole. Meltwater and icy conditions will

29 The Isukasia iron ore mine controversy: Extractive... NGP Yearbook 2012 eventually erase the signs of where the hole One of the rights is that development has has been and there is an expectation that to take place in accordance with the wishes the ice will move towards the mine pit and of the people. One of the things we lack is eventually cover it.” a clear description of the decision-making Such comments about the easy erasure of process. When, how, and by whom are the site conspired with the downplaying of decisions made?” The third underlined environmental impacts in the brief overview this issue of legitimacy: “One of the things given of the EIA to present a scenario that we are missing is the presence of experts the impact of the mine on the area would who can oppose the information that is be minimal. The consultants peppered their presented. Some of the material that is presentations with assurances that “the available is unintelligible, many questions effects on the mine will be limited to a small remain unanswered, and we need to see area”, and that “there will be no disturbance some experts who are independent of what to wildlife habitat.” In response to the is being presented here.” representation of the environment as empty These comments speak to general and to the downplaying of environmental concerns about a restriction of hunters’ impacts, many people took the opportunity rights to access traditional hunting and to contradict the consultants by pointing fishing areas, with rights to Isua and parts out that the Nuuk Fjord system, including of the Nuuk Fjord being assigned to Isukasia, was vital to the continuation of London Mining instead, to feelings that the many people’s livelihoods as hunters and public is allowed little or no say in decision- fishers. As one man remarked, “The hunters making processes, and to frustration over in Nuuk know and say that the area has a what some see is already a done deal, rich biodiversity in terms of animals, plants that a decision has already been taken and berries.” to give London Mining permission to Three comments from people who develop the Isukasia site. As one member represented local hunting and indigenous of the audience at the hearing on 24th organizations stand out from the meetings I September asked, “Have we already been attended as representative of public feeling. bought and can’t change any decisions that The first was an expression of concern that have been made?” At a minimum, public “The licence area will be out of bounds involvement must provide an opportunity to us. One of the largest hunting areas in for those directly affected to express Greenland will no longer be available to us their views regarding the proposal and its because of the mine,” pointing to suspicion environmental and social impacts. As the that a subtle process of the commodification hearings illustrated, some people were able of the environment is underway, what to make their thoughts and feelings known, Harvey (2003) calls ‘accumulation by and to ask questions, but these were merely dispossession’. The second, representative recorded by the organizers. No comments of other comments on the concept of free were returned and no answers were given. prior and informed consent, emphasized that “As indigenous people we have rights.

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‘Stop London Mining!’ influenced by the demonstration or take much notice of the demonstrators and In the late afternoon darkness on Monday their placards declaring ‘Stop London 26th November 2012, on a day when strong Mining!’ and ‘Our fjord, our livelihood’, winds and freezing rain had turned the but he maintained that Naalakkersuisut had streets of Nuuk to sheet ice, cancelling bus to recognize the rights of the Greenlandic services and making driving treacherous people whose views were not heard at the and walking dangerous, some 20 people public hearings and that it seemed the only assembled outside the Greenlandic way to express those views was through parliament building to demonstrate against the right to assemble (Petersen 2012). London Mining’s project and to express Furthermore, the demonstrators articulated their dissatisfaction with the way parliament their dissatisfaction that the decision (Inatsisartut) was debating legislation for for approving the mine will be based large-scale projects. The demonstration on discussion and negotiation between was organized by ‘Forening 16. august’ (the government and industry, not on public ‘16th August Association’, so called after consultation, public participation and the date a few years ago when the Bureau community inclusion. of Minerals and Petroleum banned local Beyond a concern with the possible people from gathering red rubies and other environmental and social impacts of the stones in an area attracting the interest of mine itself, arguments put forward by Canadian company True North Gems) and citizens’ groups crystallize around a central included participation by Nuup Kangerluata demand that decision-making for large-scale Ikinngutai (Friends of the Nuuk Fjord), a projects should be an effective and formal group formed to oppose the development dialogue and engagement between project of the mine and to protect the Nuuk proponents and the public, making for Fjord, and Avataq, Greenland’s national legitimate citizen engagement in analysis and environmental organization. It was the third agenda-setting. Around the same time as the such protest against large-scale projects demonstration was held, Greenlandic media since the previous March. The first two reported that an unnamed company had had been organized by Nuup Kangerluata submitted an application for an exploration Ikinngutai and had drawn larger crowds of licence to the BMP to assess prospects for a demonstrators. ‘Forening 16. august’ had high calcium feldspar mine at Innajuattoq, hoped for at least 100 people – earlier in the the largest bird cliff in Nuuk Fjord located day I had talked with friends who said they at the entrance to Ilulialik, which is near had planned to go, but by 4pm it seemed the site for the Isua project’s deepwater that the main concern for many was getting harbour. Avataq and Timmiaq (Greenland’s home safely in increasingly difficult weather national bird conservation organization) conditions. expressed concern and regret that public Jan Hansen, the chairman of ‘Forening consultation had not been carried out prior 16. august’, was not optimistic that to the application. The Mineral Resources government nor parliament would be Act states that if an activity is considered

31 The Isukasia iron ore mine controversy: Extractive... NGP Yearbook 2012 to have an impact on nature, a licence can been suspected of corruption, fraud and only be issued after the public, authorities tax evasion in negotiating and developing and organizations have had an opportunity projects in Africa and India. However, to express their opinion. a report to the effect was broadcast in It turned out to be an interesting week for Greenland by television news company both those protesting against the Isukasia Nuuk TV the following day, prompting an mine project and for those in support outpouring of public outrage and a call by of it. Two days after the demonstration, opposition MP Doris Jakobsen for a new the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq independent feasibility study to be carried published the results of a poll on mineral out for the Isua mine. Specifically, Jakobsen development in which 73% of respondents asked questions about how far London (there were 1032 who participated) did Mining and its partners could be trusted not believe that Greenland would benefit and demanded that parliament defer its or profit from mining. The poll was discussion on large-scale project legislation conducted following the airing of The Theft (Langhoff 2012). of Africa, a documentary shown on Danish On Friday 7th December, Inatsisartut television and also broadcast in Greenland voted to approve the new law. Among its on Sunday 25th November in which it was provisions, it allows foreign companies to argued that Zambia had fallen victim to decide on whether they wish to develop multinational mining corporations with no projects with foreign labour rather than obvious benefits for society, environment employing a local Greenlandic workforce. or the national economy (Duus 2012a). However, the legislation will need the Greenland’s premier Kuupik Kleist appeared approval of the Danish government before on television later that evening denying it can be implemented. vociferously claims from critics that there In addition to civic action groups, both would be a similar “theft of Greenland” the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) and and arguing that the country would reap the Employers’ Association of Greenland rewards from extractive industries. Kleist have been leading calls for public debates and his government, however, began to feel about the nature of consultation processes the pressure to account for the legitimacy in the country today – in October 2012 ICC of the decision-making process between launched a new project in collaboration his government and London Mining. On with WWF-Denmark to call for improved Wednesday 28th November, the news broke hearings processes for large-scale resource in Canada that the former chief executive development – while Transparency officer of SNC-Lavalin had been arrested Greenland acts to raise awareness of in Quebec on charges of fraud, with corruption in business practices and has another former high-ranking executive also argued for citizen participation in similarly detained by the Swiss authorities. discussion of legislation for large-scale The news came as no surprise in Canada, projects (Duus 2012b). A recent report where it had long been asserted in the produced for the Employers’ Association press that SNC-Lavalin employees had argues that while the existing consultation

32 Nordia Geographical Publications 41: 5, 23–34 Mark Nuttall process in Greenland is not illegitimate, it and rights of access and new perspectives does not go far enough in its attempts to on the environment shape resource allow a process of deliberative democracy exploration and commodity production. (Bjørn Aaen 2012). In particular, the report An increasing number of international endorses the view expressed by many companies involved in extractive industries organizations (including ICC, Avataq, are expressing interest to explore and work and Nuup Kangerluata Ikinngutai) that in Greenland during a significant moment in asymmetries of power exist, illustrated by the country’s political, economic and social the fact that the government has delegated development. Indigenous and local rights, administrative responsibility to the BMP for however, are overlooked in this process promoting Greenland to the international of accumulation by dispossession (Harvey extractive industries sector, for dealing 2003). Through the Mineral Resources with applications for exploration and Act, Greenland’s parliament aims to ensure exploitation licences, and for organizing that resource exploration and exploitation formal consultation processes rather than activities are “securely performed as regards this being done by an independent regulator. safety, health, the environment, resource The report is critical of instances where exploitation and social sustainability as significant information has been excluded well as properly performed according to from public view, and where other public acknowledged best international practices consultation meetings have been poorly and under similar conditions.” Yet the public inappropriately designed and organized, participation and consultation processes for which has had the effect of limiting the large-scale projects remain lacking, while ability of the public to contribute to debate free, prior and informed consent appears and influence the decision-making process, to go unrecognized as a fundamental just as many people feel is the case with the prerequisite for building relations between Isua Iron Ore Project. companies and local communities. The development of extractive industries as a basis for economic development is an Conclusion issue that divides communities and, as more applications for exploration licences are Greenland appears to be an industrial nation submitted, it raises the prospect of further in the making based on the extraction of contested and controversial debate about hydrocarbons and minerals. Resource how Greenland should not only prepare stakeholders (politicians, government for a future society characterized by the bodies, local businesses, multinational presence and dominance of mining and companies) imagine, speculate, define oil companies, but how that future society and actualize Greenland as a new frontier will also manage and govern resource where new forms of property relations development.

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