Denmark/Greenland: Uranium exploration and mine development

Uranium exploration and assessment activities have been performed across Greenland, most recently in the north. The earliest exploration for uranium was carried out using Geiger counters over selected areas of southern Greenland from 1955 to 1956, leading to the discovery of radiation anomalies associated with the Kvanefjeld deposit, a large low-grade U-Th-REE deposit associated with the Mesoproterozoic Ilímaussaq layered alkaline intrusive rock complex. In 1973, Denmark, including Greenland, joined the European Economic Community when uranium exploration was encouraged in member states to secure the community’s uranium resources.