‘A decision to decide’: Greenland moves to suspend seabed mining until 2029
Greenland’s parliament has asked the government to pause licensing on seabed mining amid concerns about foreign interests in mining and potential environmental consequences for marine life. The Oct. 15 measure directed the government, called Naalakkersuisut, to present a law to the parliament, called Inatsisartut, in early 2027 to suspend seabed mining until at least 2029. […]
Greenland's parliament has called for a suspension of seabed mining until 2029, as lawmakers worry about potential environmental impacts and foreign influence in the industry. The Oct. 15 resolution directed the government, Naalakkersuisut, to introduce legislation to the parliament, Inatsisartut, by early 2027 to implement the pause.
"This is a decision to decide. An important one, and not the same thing as protection," said Jenseeraq Poulsen, executive director of Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat, an environmental nonprofit. All 31 members of the Greenlandic parliament, who were present for the vote, voted in favor of the proposal, regardless of party affiliation.
On the day before the vote, U.S. President Donald Trump had stated that "massive" oil, gas, and mineral exploration was set to begin in Greenland, which contradicted the recent decision by the parliament. The resolution was first introduced in February 2026 by Pipaluk Lynge, a representative of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, who expressed concerns over potential harm to Greenland's marine environment caused by the interest of other countries in deep-sea mining.
Over 90% of Greenland's exports are derived from the fishing industry, according to the 2026 report from the country's national statistics organization.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
