“What would Denmark have been without Greenland?” Múte B. Egede, Greenland’s Prime Minister
You know it’s February in Denmark when half the country is coughing through a flu outbreak, and the other half is debating free speech. And somewhere in between, Greenland is back in the headlines. Again.
This time, it’s all about money, minerals, and a whole lot of resentment. A new DR documentary, Greenland’s White Gold, has thrown fuel on an old fire: did Denmark profit off Greenland while giving little in return? The film reveals how Danish companies extracted and sold cryolite (a rare mineral used in aluminum production) for over 130 years, raking in an estimated 400 billion DKK in today’s money.
The documentary triggered Greenland’s leader, Múte B. Egede, to call Denmark’s yearly subsidies more of a “repayment plan.”
Danish economists and former industry bosses have rushed to push back. They argue the 400 billion number is misleading; it’s total revenue, not profit. Factor in mining costs, shipping, and refining, and the real profit might have been closer to 15 billion. But at this point, does it really matter? Because this isn’t just about one mineral; it’s about a long history of Greenlandic resources flowing out and wealth accumulating somewhere else.
And here’s where things get uncomfortable. Greenland never had a say in how cryolite was extracted or where the profits went. The workers were Danish, the taxes were paid in Denmark, and economic growth fueled by cryolite largely bypassed Greenland. Sounds familiar? Former colonies tell the same story all over the world.
Meanwhile, Greenland’s political landscape is shifting. Kuno Fencker has walked out of Siumut and straight into Naleraq, the party that wants independence negotiations right now. And Naleraq is also pushing a controversial idea: only people with Inuit heritage should vote in an independence referendum. Critics warn this could deepen divisions and push people away.
Denmark may not have a say in who votes, but others are watching closely. The U.S. Senate just held a hearing on Greenland’s strategic importance, including minerals, Arctic security, and (casually) floating ideas about closer ties with Washington.
So, what happens next? Expect Danish politicians to downplay the cryolite profits while Greenland’s leaders ramp up calls for independence. Because at the end of the day, the debate isn’t just about who profited from the past; it’s about who gets to decide Greenland’s future.
“Måke Califørnia Great Ægain,” an online campaign to bring California to Denmark.
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