Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn

Greenland is home to one of the largest undeveloped deposits of rare-earth minerals and uranium in the world.

A proposed open-pit mine would be worth about $7.5bn (6bn) if it went ahead, generating income for the island’s economy.

But when the mining company acquired the site in 2007 , the impact of potentially radioactive waste contaminating drinking water and nearby sheep farms alarmed local people.

Many Greenlanders celebrated the vote as a victory for health and the environment.

But three years later , the company is suing Greenland for stopping its plans, demanding the right to exploit the deposit.

Greenland has become a new frontier of global mining, with at least 124 projects at various stages of development across the island.

Despite intense global interest, Greenland ’s government says it will not be moved in the case of the Narsaq deposit.

It is among 75 cases found by the Guardian that have been financed by litigation finance investors.

Greenlanders go to the polls again this month , and a new government could allow mining to go ahead.

After the 2021 general election, the value of the mining company collapsed.