Why everyone wants to own Greenland: beneath its icy surface lies a true "treasure trove" of resources waiting to be discovered.

Greenland has once again made headlines after the new U.S. President Donald Trump expressed interest in purchasing or gaining control over the semi-autonomous Arctic territory of Denmark. Such statements have sparked widespread curiosity: what makes Greenland so intriguing? Researchers have addressed this question, as reported by IFLScience.

In short: natural resources and geopolitical maneuvering. Greenland is covered by an ice sheet, the second largest in the world, surpassed only by Antarctica. Beneath the ancient ice lies a world of colossal canyons, remnants of prehistoric plants, and traces of human activity. For instance, in the northwest of Greenland, the ruins of a U.S. military research base are concealed.

But that's not all. The region's complex and unique geological history also renders it incredibly valuable in the 21st century. Essentially, Greenland is an untapped treasure trove of mineral resources that are crucial for the global economy. As early as 2023, scientists discovered that Greenland harbors 25 of the 34 minerals the European Commission has classified as "critical raw materials." Among these are:

• precious metals — gold and silver;
• valuable metals — cobalt, copper, nickel, and lithium, essential for battery technology;
• gemstones — including olivine and rubies.

Researchers have also found that Greenland contains reserves of coal, oil, and gas. However, the region has a complicated history regarding fossil fuel extraction. Since the 1970s, several American and European corporations have explored oil fields in the area, but their efforts have been fruitless. In 2021, Greenland took a bold step by halting further oil exploration and extraction projects, stating that the environmental consequences were "too great." Nevertheless, a report from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that there may be up to 31.4 billion barrels of oil beneath the East Greenland Rift Province.

However, the rich natural resources of Greenland are not the only factors attracting attention. The region also holds significant importance for the U.S. in its rivalry with Russia and China, both of which view the Arctic as a strategic arena for power.

In essence, catastrophic climate change affecting the Arctic is creating new opportunities in the region, and now many countries are eager to take advantage of them. It's no secret that global warming is resulting in increasingly less ice in the Arctic for longer periods. As a result, waters, including the Northwest Passage, may be utilized for faster shipping routes. In simple terms, those who manage to control the local waters will gain a substantial advantage.

Trump's discussions about purchasing Greenland seem unprecedented and absurd, but he is not the first American politician to toy with this idea. In fact, the notion of acquiring Greenland has surfaced at various points throughout American history. Despite these attempts, none of the proposals have gained traction for a compelling reason: neither Greenland nor Denmark is interested in selling.