Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 hrs ago
Greenland parliament backs a move to halt deep-sea mining until at least 2029
Greenland’s parliament unanimously backed a proposal calling for a ban on deep-sea mining and exploration.
The government is now asked to draft a law that would keep the ban in place at least until the end of 2029.
The proposal allows the government to extend the pause in two-year steps.
Fishing drives Greenland’s economy, and hunting is important to the livelihoods of many local communities.
People in the Danish autonomous territory are cautious about deep-sea mining, while some see untapped minerals as a possible route toward independence.
The vote signals concern about protecting the ocean and local livelihoods as interest grows in exploiting marine resources.
The measure is not itself a ban; the government must draft the proposed law.
Greenland’s parliament unanimously backed a proposal calling for a law to ban deep-sea mining and exploration until at least the end of 2029.
The proposal would allow the government to extend the moratorium in two-year increments.
WWF Greenland called the decision an important step toward protecting the ocean, nature and livelihoods.
Fishing drives Greenland’s economy, while hunting is important to many local communities.
Unexplored minerals are also seen as a potential path toward independence for the Danish autonomous territory.
- Who
- Greenland’s parliament adopted the proposal.
- What
- It asks the government to draft a law banning deep-sea mining and exploration until at least the end of 2029.
- When
- Thursday; the article was published on 16 October 2026.
- Where
- Greenland.
- Why
- The proposal cites protecting the ocean, nature and livelihoods amid new forms of marine resource exploitation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Greenland suspended all new oil and gas exploration concessions.
Washington signed a security agreement with Greenlandic and Danish leaders after Donald Trump threatened to take the territory by force.
Donald Trump said oil, gas and mineral exploitation was about to begin in Greenland, without specifically mentioning deep-sea mining.
Greenland’s parliament unanimously adopted the proposal calling for a ban on deep-sea mining and exploration until at least the end of 2029.
- Vote
- Unanimous
- Proposed ban
- Deep-sea mining and exploration until at least the end of 2029
- Extension option
- Two-year increments
- Population
- 57,000
- Oil and gas concessions
- New exploration concessions suspended in 2021
What people are saying
With this decision, Greenland has the opportunity to send a strong signal that the protection of the ocean, nature and our livelihoods must be taken seriously when we face new forms of marine resource exploitation
an important step in the right direction