For most life on the planet, Greenland, and its frozen tundra, is a forgettable place. However, this soon-to-be independent country is home to an immense surplus of extremely important minerals.
Greenland's landmass is chalked full of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). These elements are so critical to modern technologies that they have been nicknamed "technology metals". According to Green Chip Review there are 29 Rare Earth Elements, including the metals cerium, promethium, and europium.
REEs are essential to all modern electronic devices that use rechargeable batteries; photo optics; solar cells; electric motors; and strong magnets. With the clean energy bubble expanding at record speed, REEs will become even more important as the make up essential parts of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric and hybrid vehicles.
It is estimated that Greenland's reserve of Rare Earth Elements is worth $273 billion USD. Therefore, Greenland's natural resources may not only make the country more geopolitically relevant but may also generate some much needed wealth for the infant state.
Read the full story at Green Chip Review: The Greenland Project
Image courtesy of Flickr
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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