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Kvanefjeld
Mine in Kujalleq, Greenland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kvanefjeld (local name Kuannersuit) is a mineral deposit in Kujalleq, southern Greenland. It sits on the broad plateau of the Ilimaussaq intrusive complex, overlooking the fjords near the town of Narsaq. For decades the site has attracted attention as one of the world’s largest accumulations of rare earth oxides (REO), accompanied by significant uranium and zinc content.[1]
JORC-compliant estimates place the total resource (Kvanefjeld together with the Sørensen and Zone 3 orebodies) at around 1.01 billion tonnes grading 1.10% TREO+, 266 ppm U₃O₈ and ~0.24% Zn. Within this vast inventory, the 2015 JORC ore reserve is 108 Mt at 1.43% TREO+ and 362 ppm U₃O₈ (43 Mt proved + 64 Mt probable).[2]
The project is held by Energy Transition Minerals (formerly Greenland Minerals Ltd, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange). Its largest shareholder is Chinese rare earth company Shenghe Resources.[3] An industry overview in 2025 described Kvanefjeld as one of the most strategic undeveloped rare-earth deposits in southern Greenland, though it also noted that development has stalled amid legal disputes while the rival Tanbreez project progressed under U.S. ownership.[4][5]
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Geology
Kvanefjeld is part of the layered Ilimaussaq intrusive complex, a unique Mesoproterozoic peralkaline intrusion. The ore occurs mainly in Lujavrite, a dark agpaitic variety of nepheline syenite. Rare earths and uranium are concentrated in the minerals Steenstrupine and Eudialyte, while Sphalerite carries the zinc values.[6]
The distribution of rare earths is attractive for modern applications: Neodymium and Praseodymium dominate, with significant amounts of Dysprosium and Terbium that are critical for high-performance permanent magnets. Compared to many large light-REE deposits, Kvanefjeld contains a relatively higher share of mid- to heavy rare earths.[7]
In addition to its economic minerals, the lujavrite hosts striking occurrences of Villiaumite (NaF – Sodium fluoride) and other fluorescent minerals. Collectors value specimens of Tugtupite and Chkalovite from the site.[8]
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Exploration
The mineral deposit was first recognised in the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War, when uranium potential drew international attention. The physicist Niels Bohr even visited nearby Narsaq in 1957 to support early investigations.[9] When Denmark abandoned nuclear power in 1983, exploration ceased. Greenland Minerals and Energy (later Energy Transition Minerals) acquired the area in 2007.[10]
A 2010 policy change by the Government of Greenland reopened the door to large-scale mining.[11] By 2015, the company had submitted an application for an open-pit mine.[12]
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Project design
Feasibility studies outlined a mine and concentrator producing a flotation concentrate of ~20–25% REO, with fluorspar and zinc concentrates as by-products. A downstream refinery was designed to recover uranium (around 5% of revenues) and to separate individual rare earth products.[13] After Shenghe Resources took a strategic stake in 2016, optimisation work lifted projected output to about 32,000 t/y REO and ~400 tU/y, with a mine life exceeding 35 years.[14]
Politics and Suspension
In the 2021 Greenlandic general election, parties opposed to uranium mining, notably Inuit Ataqatigiit, formed government and passed Act No. 20 banning uranium mining and exploration above 100 ppm.[15] Since the average ore at Kvanefjeld contains ~250–350 ppm U₃O₈, the legislation effectively blocked development. In March 2022, Energy Transition Minerals initiated arbitration proceedings against the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, arguing that the ban unlawfully expropriated its investment.[16]
As of 2025, Kvanefjeld remains in limbo: years of technical work and investment have not yet translated into production, while the nearby Tanbreez project has advanced under new ownership.[17]
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See also
References
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