A lawsuit by Chinese-owned London Mining against Greenland’s Self-Government (Naalakkersuisut) has stalled the reopening of the Isukasia iron-ore area, 150 km northeast of Nuuk. The dispute began after the company lost its exploitation license in November 2021 for repeated delays and failure to post required security funds.
London Mining is suing to regain the license or receive 20 million kroner (3 million $) in compensation, arguing it was unlawfully stripped of its rights. Naalakkersuisut says the firm missed agreed deadlines despite multiple extensions. “We cannot accept that a license holder repeatedly fails to meet agreed deadlines,” said Minerals Minister Naaja H. Nathanielsen at the time.
Proceedings are delayed while the High Court of Greenland considers the company’s request for access to internal government correspondence, which the Self-Government says is exempt under Greenlandic law. Until the case is resolved, the 290-sq-km Isukasia area remains closed to new exploration or mining permits, according to the Ministry of Minerals.
The project has been presented in Chinese media as a symbolic first Arctic mining venture run by an Asian/Chinese company, aligning with Beijing’s Polar Silk Road narrative. Its continued closure underscores the high stakes in Greenland–China resource ties.
