Denmark/Greenland: Uranium exploration and mine development

Uranium exploration and assessment activities have been performed in South, East and West Greenland, and most recently, in North Greenland. The earliest exploration for uranium was carried out using Geiger counters over selected areas of South Greenland during 1955 to 1956, leading to the discovery of radiation anomalies associated with the Kvanefjeld deposit, a large low-grade U-Th-REE deposit associated within 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.