Mineral Resources and Oil Exploration in Greenland

Today Greenland is experiencing an increased focus on the country’s potential with respect to the international minerals and petroleum industry, and many interesting discoveries have already been made to date. 

Handling the responsibility for the management of petroleum and mineral resource activities in Greenland is the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP) under the auspices of Greenland Home Rule.

BMP is responsible for all case processing and is the only authority the industry needs to contact in order to receive the necessary licenses. This ensures efficient processing of applications for petroleum and mineral resource activities. 

BMP contributes to the financing and implementation of a number of projects that can provide new knowledge about Greenland’s petroleum and mineral potential.

BMP engages in concerted efforts to promote Greenland’s petroleum and mineral potential through participation in international trade shows and exhibitions and through direct promotional initiatives aimed at selected petroleum and mining companies.



Greenland aims to make petroleum and mineral resources one of its primary industries. Developments within petroleum and mineral resource activities must therefore take place in a clear dialogue with the population of Greenland. As a consequence, BMP is striving to establish a clear and comprehensible framework for petroleum and mineral resource activities via a number of information activities in order to encourage a successful working relationship between the industry and the general public.

The number of licenses listed for 2006 includes 12 new licenses for minerals under application, and the number for 2007 includes 33 new applications for minerals currently being processed. This is the highest number ever recorded.

Greenland combines its natural resource potential with focused efforts on the supply of the right logistics and workforce.

The logistical needs of the industry are served by modern infrastructure in Greenland. Every city or other locations of interest are within reach by airplane, helicopter or ship. Bulk cargo is transportable through a well-developed network of industrial harbours by a modern transport fleet.
A fleet of helicopters ensures that even the remotest locations are reachable for the transportation of equipment and personnel.
Trained local manpower is provided through a coordinated effort with regard to consultancy and education. 

By establishing contact between the exploration company and Greenland’s Home Rule Government, the Home Rule can help identify the specific needs of the industry for which an adequate number of local personnel will be trained.
BMP communicates full and relevant information to the international petroleum and mining industry at http://www.bmp.gl/