Main content

Greenland: To Dig or Not to Dig?

James Fletcher asks if mining for rare-earth elements and uranium will destroy Greenland's environment – or lead the country to independence?

Could Greenland become the world's next resource hotspot? The government there hopes so - they've been travelling the world touting the country's vast reserves of oil and gas, and huge deposits of iron ore, gold and rare-earth elements. As melting icecaps make all these resources more accessible, mining promises riches for Greenland and the ultimate prize of full independence from Denmark. But there's a catch - many of the rare earth minerals are surrounded by uranium, pitching Greenland into the world of nuclear politics and environmental hazards. Nowhere is this clearer than in the small town of Narsaq in the country's south. Two proposed rare-earth mines could reverse the town's economic decline, but one just miles away will mine uranium too. James Fletcher travels to Narsaq to ask whether mining will be a blessing or a curse.

Produced and presented by James Fletcher

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Thu 2 Jan 2014 20:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 2 Jan 2014 00:32GMT
  • Thu 2 Jan 2014 04:32GMT
  • Thu 2 Jan 2014 09:06GMT
  • Thu 2 Jan 2014 15:32GMT
  • Thu 2 Jan 2014 20:06GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes