The PGE potential in Greenland

The potential for Platinum Group Element (PGE) resources in Greenland attracted interest already in the 1960’s and has been part of the Survey’s considerations for more than 50 years. The PGE potential is found in Precambrian to Palaeogene environments. The most promising occurrence is in the Skaergaard intrusion in East Greenland.

The corporate interest in PGE targets in Greenland was initiated by Kryolitselskabet Øresund in the early 1960’s and related to a suite of norites in the Archaean of West Greenland. In 1968, Platinomino A/S was established to search for Merensky Reef type deposits in the gabbroic Fiskenæsset Complex. GEUS and university groups focused In the 1980’s on the formation of massive sulphides in the Palaeogene basalts of West Greenland. The research has led to continued exploration for Noril’sk type occurrences.

In the 1980’s, Platinova Resources prospected known PGE indications in Amitsoq peridotites in Southern Greenland. From 1986 and into the 90’es their focus shifted to Paleaogene mafic intrusions in East Greenland leading to the discovery of a world-class PGE and Au deposit in the Skaergaard intrusion. Sub-economic occurrences were identified in more of the Paleaogene intrusive complexes and macrodykes. The exploration has continued to date. Since 1995 norites in the Tasiilaq region, East Greenland have been the target for Cu-Ni-PGE exploration by several companies. In 2005 NunaMinerals initiated exploration for PGE in the mafic intrusions of the Fiskefjord area.