A glimpse into the rare earth riches of Greenland

Under ultraviolet light, these sodalite stones from the Kvanefjeld mineral deposit in southern Greenland glow with an eerie luminescence against a dark mountainous backdrop.

The photo was taken by photographer Jonas Kako during a trip to Greenland, where he was studying how the mining of rare earth elements and minerals on the island affects the locals. He sees the sodalite from the Kvanefjeld site – in itself worthless, simply beautiful – absorbing ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, which is outside the spectrum that humans can detect. The sodalite then emits light in a wavelength visible to the naked eye.

The Kvanefjeld site contains many rare earth elements and minerals vital for batteries that can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but also for the space and defense industries. Currently, around 90% of these materials come from Chinese mines and processing plants, putting Western countries in a vulnerable position. But 25 of the 34 minerals classified by the European Commission as critical raw materials are found in Greenland.

This type of resource means that Kvanefjeld and other mineral-rich sites in Greenland are of interest to both scientists and politicians. And it’s no coincidence that Greenland is making international headlines as global tensions rise, with President Donald Trump’s bellicose and ominous rhetoric first about a possible purchase of the island, then threats of a forced takeover.

Images of Kako, collected in the photo report Treasure Islandexplore the situation on an island where many were already seeking to distance themselves from the Danish government. Full independence is a goal of many of the autonomous territory’s political parties, which also largely reject the idea of ​​joining the United States. The island’s already complex political situation has become even more complex, as Greenland’s somewhat surprised residents suddenly find themselves in the international spotlight.

For now, Greenland’s economy still relies on fishing, which generates around 90 percent of export revenue. Resource extraction could radically change the situation. But citizens are also concerned about the environmental impact that large-scale mining could have, even if it could help the island finance its own expenses as a sovereign state – especially since many of the minerals are found mixed with radioactive uranium.

In the Kako image above, two Greenland residents are shown at the Amitsoq mine, which was operated by Danes more than a century ago, and shoveling graphite samples into a wheelbarrow for analysis to assess future mining prospects. The site is one of the world’s largest deposits of graphite, a resource of growing importance for green technologies and batteries. The European Union classified the mine as strategically important last year and it can now expect to receive financial support. Below is a photo of a graphite sample.