2005Annual Report

Map of licences, 1 January 2006Example of map of licences in Greenland. The map is updated every 14 days on thefirst and sixteenth of the month on the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum websitewww.bmp.gl , The map can be printed from here.

ForewordIn the last couple of years, Greenland has been facing a very

positive development in both the minerals and the petroleum

sector. Interest by the minerals industry has increased as a re-

sult of intensive marketing of the minerals potential in Green-

land, and, further, by favourable developments in prices of oil,

minerals and metals.

In the minerals sector, 2005 saw a marked increase in the

number of licences: 15 new exploration licences and four pro-

specting licences were issued.At the end of 2005, a total of

two exploitation licences had been granted, and 33 explora-

tion licences covering an area of 12,986 km2, as well as 12

prospecting licences.

In the hydrocarbons sector, two exploration and exploitation

licences had been issued for the offshore area west of Nuuk,

and eight onshore prospecting licences.

At the end of 2005 almost 60 licences had therefore been is-

sued.

For minerals, the break-through achieved in diamond explora-

tion deserves special attention.Activities have resulted in

more than 300 diamonds found south of Kangerlussuaq in

2004 and 2005. Exploration activities have also been conside-

rable, for instance for gold in Godthåbsfjord, at the zinc-lead

deposit at Maarmorilik, at ruby deposits in the Fiskenæsset

area, at the iron deposit at Isukasia, and at the molybdenum

deposit at Malmbjerget on the Greenland east coast.

A very important picture of the optimism displayed in the mi-

nerals sector is that total investments in exploration projects

increased threefold in the period 2002–2004, from DKK 20

mill. in 2002 to DKK 66.2 mill. in 2004.

Two years ago, in 2003, Greenland opened its first gold mine,

the Nalunaq gold mine, and in 2005, Seqi Olivine A/S started

operations to exploit the olivine deposit at Fiskefjord in the

municipality of Maniitsoq.The company expects production to

amount to 2 mill. tonnes olivine per year. Deposits will be suf-

ficient for production for at least 25 years, and could generate

a large number of jobs in Greenland.

On 20 January 2005, I signed a new exploration and exploita-

tion licence for oil and gas: the Lady Franklin licence was gran-

ted to the Canadian oil company EnCana Corporation and

Nunaoil A/S.The area involved covers approx. 3,000 km2 and

is located in a offshore area about 250 km west of Nuuk,

West Greenland.

EnCana Corporation is also operating the Atammik licence off-

shore West Greenland.This licence was issued in connection

with a licensing round in 2002, and includes an area approx.

80 km northeast of the new licence area.

EnCana Corporation has now completed extensive collection

of seismic data in both licence areas. Results of exploration

have been very positive, and there is every possibility that – in

a few years – we will see more exploration drilling offshore

West Greenland.

2005 has been characterised by a number of projects to ma-

ture the Disko-Nuussuaq region for licensing of exploration

and exploitation activities within the hydrocarbon sector be-

fore the end of 2006.The projects focus on the hydrocarbon

potential of the area, including collection of new seismic data:

assessment of environmental impacts from the oil activities,

and analysis of the economic conditions for exploration of oil

and gas.The projects have been performed in close dialogue

with the international oil industry. Results achieved in the

many surveys have been very encouraging, and much indicates

the presence of an active petroleum system in this very large

offshore area, covering more than 90,000 km2.

The very positive results of oil exploration, and the opening of

the two mines within a very short period indicates that we are

facing new challenges and a new era, where exploitation of

Greenland’s mineral resources will be a very important ele-

ment in a sustainable economy in Greenland.

Jørgen Wæver Johansen

Minister of Housing,

Infrastructure and Mi-

neral Resources

1

Joint Committee Joint Committee on Mineral Resources in Greenland.

At the end of 2005, the Joint Committee consisted of the

following members:

Chair: Kim Andersen, MP (Denmark's Liberal Party)

Greenlandic members

Kuupik Kleist (IA)

Ruth Heilmann (Siumut)

Lars Emil Johansen (Siumut)

Ellen Christoffersen (Attasut)

Per Berthelsen (Democrats))

Danish members

Niels Sindal (Social Democratic Party)

Kaj Ikast (Conservative Party))

Aase D. Madsen (Danish People's Party)

Martin Lidegård (Social Liberal Party of Denmark)

Svend Erik Hovmand (-Denmark’s Liberal Party)

The following officials from Greenland and Denmark took

part in committee work as delegates:

Kaj Kleist, Executive Deputy Minister (Secretariat of the

Greenland Home Rule Government)

Alfred Emil Rosing Jacobsen,Vice Minister (Department of

Environment and Nature)

Peter Lauritzen (Danish Prime Minister's Office)

Thomas Egebo, Permanent Undersecretary of State

(Danish Ministry of Transport and Energy)

During 2005, three meetings were held in the Joint Com-

mittee.

Less complex cases, such as applications for new licenses

and area expansions and transfers, are processed between

meetings by the Joint Committee's Chair and Vice Chairs.

Core box and geologist’s hammer:

From drilling activities on Storø 2005.

Photo: GEUS.

Nalunaq – the gold mine

flag displayed over the

mining town. Photo: BMP.

The Mineral Resources System for Greenland establishes a

joint Danish-Greenlandic political responsibility for mineral

resource activities in Greenland.This means that Greenland

and Denmark have joint authority to make decisions regar-

ding principal investments in mineral resource activities.

Furthermore, the Danish government and the Greenland

Home Rule Government have agreed on the distribution of

profits from extraction of mineral resources.

The Joint Committee on Mineral Resources in Greenland

has been set up as a political forum in which politicians

from Greenland and Denmark can bring central issues re-

garding mineral resource activities up for debate.The Bu-

reau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP) under the Green-

land Home Rule administrates the Mineral Resources Sy-

stem for Greenland and is the responsible authority for case

processing in connection with mineral resource activities.

The more detailed provisions pertaining to the Mineral Re-

sources System for Greenland have been laid down in the

Greenland Home Rule Act and in the Mineral Resources Act.

The Joint Committee on Mineral Resources in Greenland -

also called the Joint Committee - consists of five politically

appointed members from the Greenland Parliament and

the Danish Parliament. In addition, a Chair is appointed for

periods of four years by the Queen of Denmark, following

joint nomination by the Danish government and the

Greenland Home rule Government.The tasks of the Joint

Committee are to monitor developments in mineral re-

sources activities and to submit its recommendations to

the Danish and Greenlandic governments on e.g. issues

about the granting of licences for prospecting and for ex-

ploration.

Objectives and tasks of the Bureauof Minerals and PetroleumThe Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP) under the

Greenland Home Rule is responsible for the management

of mineral resource activities in Greenland.The BMP aims

at ensuring professional promotion of the mineral potential

in Greenland to the international mining industry.

One of the main tasks of the BMP is the day-to-day admini-

stration of licences for prospecting, exploration, and exploi-

tation of mineral resources.The BMP is responsible for all

case processing and is the only authority the industry ne-

eds to contact in order to obtain licenses.This ensures effi-

cient case processing for mineral resource activities.

The BMP is contributing to the financing and implementa-

tion of a number of projects which can provide new know-

ledge about Greenland's mineral potential. In this way, the

authorities are attempting to sharpen private-enterprise in-

terest in exploration activities in Greenland.The BMP enga-

ges in concerted efforts to promote Greenland's mineral

potential through participation in international trade shows

and exhibitions and through direct promotion initiatives ai-

med at selected oil and mineral companies. Moreover, the

English website of the BMP is an important means of commu-

nicating full and relevant information to the mining industry.

Greenland aims at making mineral resources one of its pri-

mary industries. Developments within mineral resource

activities must therefore be in dialogue with the people of

Greenland.As a consequence, the BMP is striving to pro-

vide a clear and comprehensible framework for mineral re-

source activities via a number of information activities, in

order to encourage a successful working relationship be-

tween the mining industry and the public.

The BMP is contributing to the financing and implementa-

tion of a number of projects which can provide new know-

ledge about Greenland's mineral potential. In this way, the

Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum

authorities are attempting to sharpen private-enterprise in-

terest in exploration activities in Greenland.The BMP enga-

ges in concerted efforts to promote Greenland's mineral

potential through participation in international trade shows

and exhibitions and through direct promotion initiatives ai-

med at selected oil and mineral companies. Moreover, the

English website of the BMP is an important means of commu-

nicating full and relevant information to the mining industry.

Greenland aims at making mineral resources one of its pri-

mary industries. Developments within mineral resource

activities must therefore be in dialogue with the people of

Greenland. As a consequence, the BMP is striving to pro-

vide a clear and comprehensible framework for mineral re-

source activities via a number of information activities, in

order to encourage a successful working relationship be-

tween the mining industry and the public.

The BMP cooperates on the administration of mineral re-

source activities with e.g. the Geological Survey of Den-

mark and Greenland (GEUS), the National Environmental

Research Institute (NERI), and the Danish Energy Authority

(DEA).Also the state-owned oil company NUNAOIL A/S is

an important partner.

Guests are welcomed at geologists’ camp on Storø. Photo: GEUS.

BMP representative visiting geologists’ camp on Storø.

Samples are checked in the microscope. Photo: GEUS.

HydrocarbonsExploration strategyThere is broad political agreement in Greenland to work

towards developing the hydrocarbon sector into an impor-

tant industry in Greenland. Development of the hydrocar-

bon sector should take place in a manner which provides

the greatest possible benefits for society in Greenland.

As a result of the high costs of exploration in Greenland, it

is important that the oil industry is responsible for a large

part of the overall exploration activities.Therefore, an im-

portant strategic goal is to encourage interest from the in-

dustry in investing in oil exploration in Greenland.Thus, it

is important that the authorities publish clear objectives

and targets for how, when and on what terms they intend

to offer exploration and exploitation licences in Greenland.

On this background, and within the framework of the poli-

tically adopted exploration strategy, the BMP has imple-

mented a number of action plans and time schedules, targe-

ted towards the oil industry. One of the measures taken

was the licencing rounds in 2002 and 2004 in the area off-

shore West Greenland. In continuation of this, the Green-

land Home Rule Government and the Danish Government

have adopted an action plan aiming at making the Disko-

Nuussuaq region and adjoining areas ready by the end of

2006 for the issue of new licences to the oil industry.

The EnCana Corporation exclusivelicenceSince 2002, the Canadian oil company EnCana Corporation

and Nunaoil A/S have operated the Atammik exploration

and exploitation licence, approx. 200 km west of Nuuk.

EnCana Corporation is the operator for the licence.Their

2005 reporting presented activities which were readily ap-

proved by the authorities.

New exploration and exploitation licenceThe Canadian oil company EnCana Corporation and Nuna-

oil A/S were granted a new exploration and exploitation li-

cence on 20 January 2005, covering hydrocarbons in

Greenland.The licence was awarded on the basis of an ap-

plication from EnCana in the licencing round 2004 covering

areas offshore West Greenland.

The area involved covers 2,897 km2 in an offshore area ap-

prox. 250 km west of Nuuk,West Greenland. Geologically,

the area includes part of the Lady Franklin Basin. 4,500 km

of 2D seismic data have been collected in the area. Sea

depths range from approx. 750 m in the northern part to

1,750 m in the southernmost part of the licence area. No

wells have previously been drilled in this area.The licence

area Is located approx. 80 km. south-west of the Atammik

licence.

EnCana Corporation holds a share of the licence of 87.5

per cent, and is operator at the site.The publicly owned

company Nunaoil A/S share is 12.5 per cent.

EnCana is one of the world’s biggest independent oil and

gas companies, with headquarters in Calgary, Canada. It is

the biggest natural gas producer and gas storage operator

in North America. Ninety per cent of the company’s assets

are in North America. EnCana is the biggest producer and

licence holder in western Canada, and is one of the main

actors in the development of Canada’s oil and gas potential

offshore Canada’s east coast.Through its US subsidiaries,

EnCana is also one of the biggest oil producers in the

Rocky Mountain states.

60°W55°

50°W

62°N

64°

66°

68°

70°N

60°W55°59° 58° 57° 56° 54° 53° 52° 51° 50°W

63°

65°

67°

69°

62°N

64°

66°

68°

70°N

63°

65°

67°

69°

Nuuk

EnCana & NUNAOILslicence area granted in 2005

EnCana & NUNAOILslicence granted in 2002

Licence area no. 1from the 2004 Licensing Round

Exploration well

Ilulisat

250 km

GREENLAND

Map of offshore licences and oil exploration drill sites.

4

Marine area offshore Disko-Nuus-suaq is being prepared for open public licencing proceduresOver the past years considerable improvements have been

achieved in the data coverage of areas offshore Disko-

Nuussuaq.

New geophysical data, including gravimetric and seismic

data, indicate deep basins and large potential oil structures

in the region.The discovery of the new very large structu-

res offshore the oil seeps in the Disko-Nuussuaq peninsula

has increased industry's interest in exploration in the area.

Therefore, in 2004, the Greenland Home Rule Government

and the Danish Governments decided to take measures to

mature the Disko-Nuussuaq area, with a view to reopening

the area for applications for exploration and production li-

cences in 2006.

The BMP has therefore launched a number of projects, ai-

ming at identifying the hydrocarbon potential in the area,

and at clarifying the environmental considerations to be

made in this respect.

Collection of seismic data

In 2005, the BMP and Nunaoil A/S cooperated with the

seismic company TGS-Nopec to collect 3,222 km of

seismic data in the offshore area west of Disko-Nuussuaq.

The new data will be used to further document the very

large potential oil structures which were identified in con-

nection with the collection of 2,243 km seismic data in the

area in 2002.

Geological surveys in the area

In 2005, the BMP and GEUS took joint measures to con-

tinue a number of projects aiming at strengthening docu-

mentation of an overall petroleum system in the Disko-

Nuussuaq region.The projects include:

Survey of seabed samples in areas where seismic data

indicate that older and deeper layers may be exposed

at the seabed. Positive results of this project will enable

determination of the existence of deeper source rocks

and reservoir rocks (i.e. the type of rock that may form

and store oil).

The project is a follow-up on cruises offshore West

Greenland in 2003 and 2004 with the vessels R/V Pro-

fessor Logachev and H/F Dana.The project is the first

to show evidence of source rocks offshore West

Greenland.

A second project documents the source rocks and

comprehensive petroleum systems in the Disko-

Nuussuaq region. During the project analyses have

been made of natural oil seeps at Disko-Nuussuaq.

Results obtained so far have been very promising, and

they show evidence of one or more types of source

rock in the marine area west of Disko-Nuussuaq.

A third project aims at documenting the presence of

reservoir rocks.The project includes comparative ana-

lyses of onshore deposits of sand and sand reservoirs

in the exploration wells in the area offshore West

Greenland.

Establishment of a GIS model with data on geology,

environment, ice conditions etc.Disko

Nuussuaq

63°W61°W 59°W 57°W 55°W 53°W

70°N

69°N

67°N

71°N

68°N

100 km

Hellefisk-1

Gravity map of the Disko West area. Red lines show the

location of the 3,135 km of seismic data acquired in

2005. Black lines illustrate data from 2003.

Seismic dataDisko West

5

Environmental assessment in the

Disko-Nuussuaq area

The BMP and NERI are carrying out comprehensive envi-

ronmental assessments, focusing on possible impacts of oil

activities on the environment in the Disko-Nuussuaq re-

gion.The projects include:

Possible impacts on larvae of fish and shrimp

Measurements of natural background levels of hydro

carbons in the marine environment

Study of the importance of sea ice

Populations of whale, birds and walrus

Modelling of the consequences of an oil-spill incident

Prospecting licencesSeveral companies have carried out investigations of the

oil and gas potential within the framework of prospecting

licences in 2005.

Cambridge Arctic Shelf Programme (CASP) carried

out two field expeditions in Northeast Greenland during

the summer of 2005. Focus in one of the expeditions was

the geology of the islands of Traill Ø and Geographical So-

ciety Ø, while the other expedition focused on the geology

of the Wollaston Forland-Kuhn Ø region.

The main purpose of the expedition at Traill Ø and Geo-

graphical Society Ø was to study the occurrence of a co-

arse grained rock in a deep-marine channel system that

might be used as a reservoir, and to collect samples in or-

der to date the reservoir unit.

The main task of the second expedition was to collect po-

tential source rock sections in the Wollaston Forland–Kuhn

Ø region.

In the summer of 2005, Statoil completed a field expedition

in East Greenland, aiming at making comparative studies

between the Norwegian shelf and Jameson Land in order

to understand and map the source and distribution of re-

servoir rock.

In 2005, the Norwegian company Grønland Resources

Company carried out geological field work at Nuussuaq,

in order to localise oil seeps and take samples of seeps for

further analyses.

Satellite tracker

Migration routes for whale, walrus and polar guillemot are moni-

tored by means of satellite transmitters, here on walrus.

Photo: NERI.

The data coverage of the Southwest Greenland offshore

area (south of 63°N) is still fragmentary, and knowledge of

the underground structure in the area is therefore only li-

mited.The seismic company TGS Nopec and the BMP

and Nunaoil A/S, collected 730 km of seismic data in

2005 in the area.

As a result of the activities, a total of 2,235 km of seismic

data has been collected in the period 2003 – 2005 in the

area south of 63°N.The new data reveal the existence of

very large sedimentary basins and structures, and the na-

ture and form of the observed basins and structures indi-

cate that oil and gas may have been generated and stored

at deeper levels.

Additional knowledge is required before the area as whole

can be included in a licensing round or similar procedure.

In addition, the area is characterised by difficult operative

conditions related for instance to great sea depths, steep

continental shelf and numerous icebergs.The operative

conditions underline the need for collection of seismic data

and other geophysical and geological data, which may re-

duce the risks associated with exploration activities to a le-

vel that can be accepted by the industry.

The Continental Shelf projectIn 2004, acting on behalf of the Realm, Denmark ratified

the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of

1982. From the time of ratification, Parties to the Conven-

tion have a period of 10 years to present claims for exten-

ding the right to the seabed beyond 200 nautical miles.

The purpose of such claims for extension is primarily to

secure individual states the right to exploit living and non-

living resources in the areas involved, and, thus, also hydro-

carbon deposits.

In order to present such claims, surveys must be made of

the geological structures under the seabed, especially to

determine the thickness of subsoil sediments. For Green-

land, three areas may be at stake, including the area around

the North Pole.

7

Greenland

Svalbard

Arctic

Ocean

Atlantic

Ocean

FaroeIslands

1000 km

33

22

11

Jan Mayen

GreenlandResourcesCompany

Acquisition of seismic data byTGS-Nopec (Labrador Sea)

Statoil field work

CASP field excusions

Map of the three areas (number in red circle) where the thickness of

sediment and seabed structures are being surveyed in connection

with the Continental Shelf Project.

Map showing sites where companies carried out prospecting

of the hydrocarbon potential in 2005.

Exploitation licencesMining of olivine in FiskefjordOn 30 June 2005, a licence was granted for mining the in-

dustrial mineral olivine in deposits at Seqinnersuusaq (Fi-

skefjord) in the municipality of Maniitsoq.The licence was

awarded to Seqi Olivine A/S.The company is wholly

owned by Minelco A/S, which is a subsidiary of the Swedish

state-owned mining company LKAB A/B. On 11 August

2005, work to set up the infrastructure required for quar-

rying olivine was initiated.

The olivine deposits contain a minimum of 100 mill. tonnes

first-class olivine, to be quarried in an open pit, as in ordi-

nary stone quarrying.Annual production at Fiskefjord will

amount to almost 2 mill. tonnes.

Before shipping, raw olivine is crushed and separated into a

number of fractions and grades, depending on specific ap-

plications. From Fiskefjord, olivine is shipped as bulk by

cargo vessels with a cargo capacity of up to 50,000 tonnes.

A 280 m wharf with conveyor belt will carry olivine to the

vessels.When running at full capacity, deliveries will be ship-

ped every ten days.

In 2005, basic infrastructure work was completed, with ac-

commodation facilities for 40 people. In addition, work has

initiated to set up workshops, laboratory and the wharf fa-

cilities. In the same period, 91,000 tonnes of olivine have

been quarried, crushed and shipped. In the last half of 2005

there were about 40 workers. It is expected that a similar

number of people will be required for production mining.

The management of mining activities, the municipality, edu-

cational institutions, and representatives from local busi-

ness have agreed to meet every six months, in order to se-

cure local jobs and training, and to give businesses better

opportunities to offer goods and services.

Minerals

The environment will be monitored, by continuously com-

paring the results of a base-line study with similar studies

of samples collected during production.The baseline study

analyses samples of various animals and plants collected be-

fore production started. In addition to taking samples, local

fishermen have been interviewed in order to better know

the way in which local residents use the area.Together,

these studies will provide a picture of the state of the envi-

ronment, before mining activities commence.

Olivine

Olivine is a silicate mineral that occurs naturally in large parts of the world. It

consists of a mixture of the minerals forsterite and fayalite, which represent

magnesium and iron-rich mineral members. Olivine has a high melting point and

a high density. It is used for steel production, as slag former, for sand blasting,

and as foundry sand.

The world market for olivine for slag formation is approx. 4 mill. tonnes per year,

and the market for sand blasting and foundry sand is somewhat larger.

Gold production in GreenlandNalunaq Gold Mine A/S Nalunaq Gold Mine A/S com-

menced production in 2004 and has been operational since

Gold ingot no. 1, produced

with gold from the Nalunaq

gold mine. Photo: Crew.

Wharf established at the Seqi olivine mine in 2005. Photo: BMP.

then.The mine is located approx. 11 km from the coast,

and until now, the gold ore has been trucked to the coast

and shipped from there to the mill at Rio Narcea in Spain,

where the ore was then broken up and processed into gold

bars.

During the period the mine has been in operation, exten-

sive knowledge has been obtained about the gold deposit

and about the best method for mining the ore. Nalunaq is a

high-grade deposit of gold in quartz veins.The individual ve-

ins are between 0.1–2.0 metres thick, averaging 0.7 metres.

The gold is found as small grains which vary in size from

microscopic to a few millimetres in diameter.The content

of 16–25 grams of gold per tonne means that there are

very large volumes of ore to be mined, transported and

processed.

Supplementary surveys have shown that the deposit is lar-

ger than first assumed. Nalunaq Gold Mine A/S estimates

that there are 438,000 tonnes of ore with a grade of 21 g/t,

representing 296,000 ounces. Moreover, the company as-

sesses that there is a possible reserve of 1,670,000 tonnes

of ore, with a grade of 18 g/t, corresponding to 967,000

ounces of gold.

This means that the company can reasonably expect a con-

tinued lifetime of the mine of 10-11 years if it can be ope-

rated profitably.

It is very costly to ship the ore to Spain. On the other

hand, it would also be costly to build a processing facility

near the mine, especially since the investment must be re-

turned in approx. 10 years. However, Nalunaq Gold Mine

A/S has assessed that the increasing transport costs neces-

sitate local processing of the ore, if the known deposit is to

be exploited profitably.Therefore, the company has applied

for approval of a processing facility to be built in the imme-

diate area of the mine.

Local processing does, however, have consequences.The re-

sidual products from the processed gold ore must then be

deposited in the local area and not, as it is now, in Spain.

The waste product will primarily be quartz that has been

broken up into a very fine-grained mass and subsequently

exposed to chemical impacts.

Therefore, the company must explain in its application to

the authorities the possible environmental impacts to the

environment of depositing the waste products.

Before the company receives approval, and before it is

known how long it will continue to operate, the authorities

need to decide how the waste product is to be deposited.

The Joint Committee will make the final decision in this re-

spect.

Exploration licences

Gold explorationIn 2005, NunaMinerals A/S’ exploration licence for Storø

focused on the Qingaaq prospect. Core drilling operations,

geological mapping and systematic channel sampling were

carried out on the surface of the Main Zone and adjacent

mineralisations. Moreover, limited exploration has been

carried out in the other gold prospects on Storø, i.e. the

Aappalaartoq prospect, as well as at the 580 Summit be-

tween Qingaaq and Aappalaartoq.

During this drilling programme, a total of 3,900 metres of

cores from 24 holes have been obtained. 16 of these holes

were drilled in the Main Zone and eight were drilled with a

view to clarifying the structural relation between the Main

Zone and its adjacent mineralisations.The results are not

expected until the end of February 2006.

In 2005, Nanortalik I/S’ licence in South Greenland was

investigated through field work at Lake 410 and Niaqor-

naarsuk. Five drillings were carried out at Lake 410 to fol-

low the gold anomalies found in 2003.A total of 1,310 dril-

ling metres were carried out. In addition to the drillings,

samples were also collected along a rust zone, and these

yielded 13.8; 4.8 and 0.48 grams of gold per tonne respec-

tively.A rock sample found at the base of the locality gave a

preliminary result of 9 grams of gold per tonne.

In 2003-2004 a small quartz vein was found in the Niaqor-

naarsuk valley with gold values of 1-2 grams per tonne, and

at this locality, samples were collected from both known

and new quartz veins. However, results so far are modest.

On the other side of the valley, samples were also collec-

ted, and the best results gave 0.78 grams of gold per tonne.

Diamond explorationIn the spring and summer of 2005, Hudson Resources

Inc. carried out geological field work in the Sarfartoq area.

Moreover, two major geophysical surveys were carried out,

showing a number of interesting anomalies that could indi-

cate deeper-lying kimberlite deposits. On this basis, the

company carried out a drilling programme for some of the

anomalies during March-May 2005 in order to ascertain

whether there were any kimberlite deposits.Three drillings

were carried out at the Garnet Lake, three drillings at the

Spider Lake, and 19 drillings in the area between these two

lakes.A total of 1,450 metres were drilled.

9

The temporary hut for the NunaMinerals drilling equipment on

Storø. Photo: GEUS.

The drillings at the Garnet Lake showed approx. nine kim-

berlites per drilling.The kimberlites had an average

thickness of 0.78 metres.The drillings at Spider Lake

showed an average of 28 kimberlites per drilling with an

average thickness of 0.24 metres.Thus, there are conside-

rable indications that the lake area is a local centre of kim-

berlitic activity. Kimberlite was found in 21 of the 25 dril-

lings.A total of 556 kg sample material was sampled from

the drillings and from exposures for analysis in Canada.

The results show the existence of a 2–6-metre wide and

approx. 900-metre long kimberlite dike, which is connected

to the surface sample of kimberlite found in 2004 at Garnet

Lake.The kimberlite from 2004 contained 151 diamonds in

a 108 kg sample, and nine of these were macrodiamonds.

At four other localities in the Sarfartoq area, important dia-

mond finds were made during the summer; two of these

came from the area around the Garnet Lake.The largest dia-

mond is 2.60 x 2.30 x 2.26 mm, which makes it the largest

diamond ever found in Greenland. South of Garnet Lake, a

kimberlite sample of 158.7 kg contained 226 diamonds, 13

of which were macrodiamonds. In a new area northeast of

this lake, a diamondiferous kimberlite was found; it gave 46

diamonds from a 110 kg sample.

Thus, a total of 423 diamonds have been found in the Sar-

fartoq area.

In spring 2005, Metalex Ventures Ltd. carried out field

work in the licence area at Umiviit. 16 drillings were carried

out across the Smile Lake and samples were taken, amongst

other things to understand the ice's direction of move-

ment. In the drillings, the company found several kimber

lites, but they are deemed too thin to extract.The company

also carried out an electromagnetic, a magnetic and a gra-

vity survey of the lake area to study variations that could

be due to kimberlite. 17 sediment samples were taken

close to the place where the company had previously found

diamond indicator minerals in two samples, and several

kimberlite rock samples were collected.

The initial results from the sampling around the lake shore

are negative, and according to the company, they seem to

indicate that the diamond source is in the lake. Similarly, the

initial results from the drillings show that the kimberlites

from those drillings are not the source of the notable dia-

mond indicator minerals.

The interpretation of the geophysical survey has shown 14

magnetic centres with diameters of 50–250 metres.Two of

these centres, which are located in the lake, coincide with

gravity anomalies, and they are therefore high-priority dril-

ling sites.The reason for this is, amongst other things, that

some of the kimberlite deposits at the Ekati diamond depo-

sit in Canada have shown a similar coincidence in anomalies.

Ruby explorationIn 2005, True North Gems, the operator of the explora-

tion licence at the Fiskenæsset complex in West Greenland,

carried out more than two months of field work at Fiske-

næsset. Known deposits were studied, and a total of 18

ruby deposits have now been localised. By means of a por-

table sawmill, the company took large samples of the ruby

ore. A total of 15 tonnes of sample material was collected

for laboratory studies in Canada.

The geological mapping shows that the deposits are spread

over an area of 20 x 60 km, with thicknesses of 1–20 me-

tres and lengths of 20–2,000 metres.The most intense ac-

cumulations of ruby are typically seen in the most defor-

med areas.The layers of mineralisation are between 0.1–2

metres thick and 3–300 metres long.The size of gems va-

ries from microscopic stones to crystals weighing more

than 1 gram.

RubyRuby is the name of a red variety of the mineral corundum (Al2O3). Corundum

in other colours are called sapphire, with the colour mentioned first; e.g. blue, col-

ourless, pink, etc. Rubies are gemstones with a hardness of 9, i.e. the second-

hardest mineral in nature after the diamond. Rubies are some of the most cove-

ted gemstones in the world with prices often exceeding those of diamonds.

Rubies from the Fiskenæsset complex have been known since the 1960s.At this

site, ruby often appears together with pink sapphire, and these are both coveted

gemstones.

MolybdenumDuring May-September 2005, International Molyb-

denum Plc. carried out extensive field work at the Malm-

bjerg in East Greenland.

The company made a topographical mapping in the form of

an aerial laser scanning of the area. Based on the data collec-

Ruby of approx. 40 grams extracted from the ore by True North

Gems during work in the licence area at the Fiskenæsset com-

plex in 2005. Photo:True North Gems.

10

Diamonds found by Hudson Resources

during exploration near Kangerlussuaq in

2005.The biggest diamond is about.

2.5 mm. Photo: Hudson Resources.

11

ted, a detailed contour map with 1-m curves will be con-

structed.This mapping is part of the company's investiga-

tions with a view to future mining. Before the flight, a detai-

led GPS mapping was done to determine fix points.

The company did a total of 53 drillings of which 31 were

core drilling operations, one was a surface drilling and 21

were geotechnical drilling operations.All drill cores were

geologically logged for rock type, structures, alteration and

mineral content, and 1/4 of the drill cores were cut out and

sent to Canada for analysis.

The 31 core drilling operations had a total length of 4,898

metres, and were carried out to study the grade of the de-

posit.The purpose of the 477 metres surface drilling was to

test for new ore deposits.The 21 geotechnical drillings had

a total length of 899 metres. 16 of the drillings (490 metres)

were carried out at proposed construction, port and tail-

ings sites.The remaining five drilling operations were car-

ried out at previous drilling localities.

The company took 32 representative bulk samples weighing

approx. 50–150 kg per sample; eight of these samples were

taken relatively close to the surface to get a picture of the

effect of oxidation of the molybdenum deposit. Moreover,

248 samples were collected for laboratory analysis.

The company has reported that the initial results from the

drilling operations indicate an ore extent very similar to

that of similar operations during the 1960s, and that less

than four per cent of the molybdenum deposit is affected

by oxidation. It is the outermost 10–20 metres of the sur-

face that are affected by oxidation.The distribution of mo-

lybdenum in the deposit is very homogenous.

Following results of this summer’s field activities, calculated

resources increased by 50 per cent, from about 286,000

tonnes to about 431,000 tonnes of MoS2 (molybdenite).

According to preliminary calculations, the production rate

could reach about 15,000 tonnes of molybdenum-rich rock

per day over a period of 15-20 years.The profitability of the

project has yet to be analysed in a feasibility study, which

the company plans to deliver in 2006-2007.

MolybdenumMolybdenum is an alloy metal which is most widespread in nature as the mine-

ral molybdenite; molybdenum in compound as a disulphide (MoS2).This mineral

is very soft with a hardness of only 1-1.5.This means it has a grey-black streak

and is suitable for use as a lubricant. Molybdenum alloy is also used with iron to

make very durable steel products.

Molybdenite deposits are widespread throughout Greenland, but the deposit at

the Malmbjerg in East Greenland is important because it is one of the world’s

largest deposits. Recent years’ multiple increase in the price of molybdenum has

created renewed interest in Greenland’s deposits.

Nickel and copperDuring May-June 2005, MDA Investment Pty Ltd. car-

ried out field work at Ivittuut.The helicopter-borne mag-

netic and electromagnetic survey carried out during the

summer of 2004 identified an area with large-scale magne-

tic variations.These could be evidence of the presence of

extensive sulphide bodies rich in nickel, similar to the depo-

sit in Voisey’s Bay in Canada. On the basis of these results, a

drilling programme was conducted in the summer of 2005

to test the geophysical anomalies.

Five drillings of 100–200 meter’s length were carried out,

revealing only small amounts of sulphides.As the largest

magnetic anomalies were situated under the lakes in the

area, the company planned a supplementary geophysical

survey on the lakes to take place in February 2006. If the

results are positive, the company will commence a supple-

mentary drilling programme in the winter of 2006.

Gem Fields International's 1998 surveys resulted in the

discovery of nickel-copper-gold-PGE mineralisations at the

southern coast of Ammassalik island in East Greenland.The

mineralisation stretches 90 meters in one direction, and

over this distance width varies between 1 and 8 meters.

The total area covered by the mineralisation is 440 km2.

Based on recent data from a helicopter-borne magnetic and

electromagnetic geophysical survey and samples from field

borings, Gem Fields in a joint venture with Inco Ltd. car-

ried out further geophysical survey and drillings in the area

in the summer of 2005.The purpose was to examine the

nickel potential.The geophysical surveys confirmed the oc-

currence of graphite and sulphide-rich rocks in the area.

Eight drillings were conducted covering three localities and

a total of 1,587 meters.At two of the localities, at the bays

of Unngutok and Qoqortoq, mineralisations were found,

however with limited distribution.At the bay of Unngutok

locality contents of up to 1.5 per cent nickel were registered.

PF&U Mineral Development and Inco Ltd. prospec-

ted for copper, nickel, gold and platinum at Kitak in East

Greenland in 2005.The work continued activities in 2004,

which were carried out in a joint venture with NunaMine-

rals A/S. Field work in 2005 comprised a minor geophysi-

cal survey as well as a helicopter-borne survey during which

rust zones in the terrain were mapped. Rust zones indicate

the presence of metal-containing sulphides.

The geological surveys were to measure the conductivity of

the earth’s strata.The surveys were conducted over two lo-

calities where a previous air-borne survey had shown large-

scale electromagnetic fluctuations.The subsequent geolo-

gical survey revealed that the fluctuations are due to con-

tents of graphite in the bedrock.

Drill cores from investigations of molybdenum deposits at Malm-

bjerg are assessed at the end of the season in 2005. Photo: GEUS.

tax from the BMP, the Bank of Greenland Industrial Fund

added DKK 25,000 free of tax to the 1st prize and DKK

15,000 to each of the 2nd prizes, contributing a total of

DKK 55,000.

The samples submitted in the hunt cover areas from

Qaanaaq in the north to Prince Christian Sund in the

south, and the Ammassalik and Illoqqortoormiut areas in

the east. Of the 1204 samples submitted, 282 were sent to

chemical analysis.Analysis results are an important basis for

the decisions of the judges.

One 1st prize of DKK 55,000 free of tax

Paulus Benjaminsen from Aappilattoq in the municipality

of Nanortalik was awarded the 1st prize for a rock sample

with very high zinc, copper and sliver contents.

Two 2nd prizes of DKK 25,000 free of tax

Meerannguaq Steenholdt from Kangaatsiaq was awar-

ded 2nd prize for a sample containing a significant content

of lithium and copper. Karl P. Lundblad from Kangaatsiaq

was awarded 2nd prize for a sample with large contents of

copper, bismuth and silver.

Three 3rd prizes of DKK 6,000 free of tax

Siverth Amondsen and Johan Rosing were awarded

3rd prize for new information on iron mineralisations in

the Paamiut area.

Mikael Johnsen II was awarded 3rd prize for a sample

with molybdenum from Qeqertarsuatasiaat.

Josef Petersen from Narsaq was awarded a 3rd prize for

a sample with copper and gold from the Bredefjord area.

Local activities Å 2005 showed a general increase in public interest in fin-

ding rocks and having them identified.This was reflected in

the number of rock samples submitted to the national pro-

gramme for mineral hunt, Ujarassiorit.The national mine-

rals club, Ujaqqeritooqatigiit, in Sisimiut also reports an in-

creasing number of members.

In order to disseminate knowledge about rocks and diffe-

rent types of mineralisation, the minerals club conducts an

annual prospector course, where participants learn about

prospecting methods and minerals.The club also hosts an

annual rock trade show. 2005 saw the hosting of the 9th

rock trade show in Sisimiut on 5 to 6 November. Both

stone artists and soapstone carvers participated, and the

BMP supported branches of this work. For example, the

BMP financed the publication of a popular handbook on

prospecting for amateurs, prepared by the minerals club.

The handbook is distributed as a gift to participants in the

Ujarassiorit programme.

As a special effort, the BMP supported the publication of

the comprehensive work on Greenland geological develop-

ment, which was published by GEUS in the autumn of 2005.

The work is the first comprehensive popular-science des-

cription in Danish of the basis for understanding what has

taken place in Greenland’s geology since the dawn of time.

Ujarassiorit – the hunt for mineralsUjarassiorit 2005, the popular national mineral hunt for

amateur geologists in Greenland, resulted in the submission

of 1204 rock samples, the third largest number of samples

ever.As always, the samples submitted contributed new in-

formation about possible mineralisations in Greenland. Re-

sults for 2005 show e.g. that there are still iron formations

to be found, although these are fairly easy to find and there-

fore ought to have been found by now. Samples from e.g.

Paamiut and Ammassalik suggest that these areas could be

potential environments for iron deposits. Results for 2005

also support the notion of a zinc and copper potential in

South Greenland.There was new information about the

copper content in the Kangaatsiaq area and information

that data on gold in the Nuuk area can be found outside

the known deposits on Storø, and in Isua and Ivisaartoq.

The award committee consisting of geologists from the

BMP, GEUS and Greenland Resources A/S chose the fol-

lowing mineral hunters as winners of the 2005 mineral

hunt. In addition to the prize sum of DKK 80,000 free of

12

Promotion-at home and abroad

Overwiew

Locations of analyzed samples

Ujarassiorit 2005

4. Price

4. Price

4. Price

2. Price locations

4. Price

4. Price

3. Price

3. Price

4. Price

1. Price

The winning rock sam-

ple from Ujarassiorit

2005, displayed on

map of the place

where it was found in

South Greenland.

Photo: BMP.

Six consolation prizes of DKK 2,000 free of tax

John S. Utuaq from Kulusuk was awarded a consolation

prize for a sample with raised contents of nickel and cop-

per from Kulusuk. Mikael S. Christensen from Tasiilaq

was awarded an encouragement prize for a sample of mas-

sive magnetite and ilmenite. Hans Raage from Nuuk was

awarded a consolation prize for a sample with raised con-

tent of gold from the Nuuk fjord. Jokum Lange from

Qeqertaq was awarded a consolation prize for a sample

with large content of copper from Qeqertaq. Tobiasine

S. Pape from Tasiilaq was awarded a consolation prize for

a sample of banded iron formation. Augo P. Lynge from

Kangaamiut was awarded an encouragement prize for a

sample with raised contents of wolfram and copper.

International marketing of mineralresourcesIn the international mineral resources market of today,

geological data and surveys that testify to the commercial

potential of mineral resources deposits are essential, to

succeed in attracting the mineral resources industry to a

given frontier area, for example Greenland.

For many years, regional geological activities such as survey-

ing have typically been public tasks. Specific projects could

quickly be assessed as promising on the basis of regional

data and surveys, and oil and mining companies could

move directly to conducting more detailed and cost-de-

manding surveys, depending on the objective of their mi-

neral exploration.This division of responsibilities in the mi-

neral resources sector has intensified gradually over the

past years, and expectations and demand for more diver-

sified efforts by the public authorities have therefore in-

creased.This means the public sector will sometimes have

to take a more proactive approach and carry out wider

geological and geophysical surveys, aiming at maturing pro-

jects.The BMP conducts several of such relevant activities

in collaboration with private partners.

Publicly conducted activities like these enhance the op-

portunity to market Greenland's mineral resources poten-

tial, through participating in international trade shows and

exhibitions, publishing newsletters to industry, making pub-

lications available in international journals, using the Inter-

net for promotion, and carrying out direct marketing ef-

forts at selected international companies.

Participation in mineral resourcestrade shows, conferences and directmarketing

In 2005, the BMP took part in a number of promotion

events and conferences, including:

British Columbia and Yukon Chamber of Mines,

Cordilleran Roundup,Vancouver, Canada.

24-27 January.

Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada

(PDAC), International Convention and Trade Show,

Toronto, Canada.

6-9 March.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists

(AAPG) International Conference and Exhibition,

Calgary, Canada.

19-22 June.

As in previous years, the BMP participated in fairs with a

collective stand together with GEUS and Nunaoil A/S.

Promotion visits to selected oil companies in Europe and

North America were carried out in February, March, Octo-

ber, November and December.

The BMP in cooperation with GEUS publishes the newslet-

ters MINEX and GHEXIS, targeted at the minerals and oil

industries.There are links on GEUS' website (www.geus.dk)

to the two newsletters.

Since 2002, "Geology & Ore" and "Fact Sheets" have been

important publication series in efforts to promote Green-

land's mineral resources potential. 2005 saw the publication

of another issue of "Geology & Ore" dealing with "’The

Blyklippen lead-zinc mine at Mesters Vig, East Greenland".

Similarly, "Fact Sheets" published three issues presenting an

international web-based mineral resources map, the Malm-

bjerg deposit of molybdenum, and the mineral resources

potential of East Greenland's Palaeogene intrusions.

Visitors at the BMP stand at the trade show

PDAC at Toronto, Canada, March 2005.

Photo: GEUS.

13

Selected publications

During 2003-2004, the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum published a num-

ber of publications with its co-operation partners. Other publications of rele-

vance for the raw materials area in Greenland are available via the websites

for the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum and the Geological Survey of Den-

mark and Greenland. Reports from the series ’Danmarks og Grønlands Geo-

logiske Undersøgelse Rapport’, are abbreviated ’GEUS Rapport’.

Annual reportsRåstofdirektoratet, 2005: Annual Report for Mineral Resources

Activities in Greenland 2004, Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum,

June 2005.16 pp.

Råstofdirektoratet 2005: Samfundsmæssige aspekter af efter-

forskning og udnyttelse af olie og gas i Grønland, Grønlands

Hjemmestyre, FM 2005/32, 73 pp.

MINERALSTRATEGI 2004: Mål og planer for mineralefterforsk-

ningen i Grønland, Råstofdirektoratet, 68 pp.

PricewaterhouseCoopers 2004: Comparison of royalty and taxes

etc. related to Mineral Resources (Gold), 145 pp.

PricewaterhouseCoopers 2005: Oil & Gas Fiscal Regimes Survey.

GEUS 2005: Annual Report 2004, GEUS – Danmarks og Grønlands

Geologiske Undersøgelse, 16 pp.

Geology and explorationJ.M. Bonow 2004: Palaeosurfaces and palaeovalleys on North

Atlantic previously glaciated passive margins,Thesis in Geo-

graphy 30, Stockholms Universitet, 17 pp.

P.R. Dawes 2004: Explanatory notes to the Geological map of

Greenland, 1:500 000, Humboldt Gletscher, Sheet 6. Geological

Survey of Denmark and Greenland Map Series 1, 48 pp. + map.

GEUS 2004: The Palaeogene and Neogene offshore southern

West Greenland. Marine and Petroleum Geology 20,9. 935–1088.

K.Q. Hansen and E.Buch & U.Gregersen 2004: Weather, sea and ice

conditions offshore West Greenland – Focusing on new license

areas 2004. Rapport fra Danmarks Meterologiske Institut & Råstof-

direktoratet, 42 pp.

N. Henriksen 2005: Grønlands geologiske udvikling,

GEUS, 270 pp.

A.K. Higgins & F. Kalsbeek (eds) 2004: East Greenland Caledonides:

stratigraphy, structure and geochronology. Geological Survey of

Denmark and Greenland Bulletin 6, 93 pp.

J.A. Hollis, J.A.M. van Gool,A. Steenfelt & A.A. Garde 2004: Green-

stone belts in central Godthåbsfjord,West Greenland. Prelimi-

nary results from field work in 2004. 2004/110, 110 pp. + DVD.

J.A. Hollis, J.A.M. van Gool,A. Steenfelt and A.A. Garde 2005: Green-

stone belts in the central Godthåbsfjord region, southern

West Greenland, GEUS Bulletin 7, 65–68.

P. Japsen, P. F. Green & J.A. Chalmers 2005: Separation of Palaeogene

and Neogene uplift on Nuussuaq,West Greenland, Journal of

the Geological Society, London,162; 299-314.

S.M. Jensen, K. Secher,T.M. Rasmussen & F. Schjøth 2004: Diamond ex-

ploration data from West Greenland: 2004 update and revi-

sion. GEUS Rapport 2004/117, 90 pp. + DVD.

S.M. Jensen, K. Secher & T.M. Rasmussen 2004: Diamond content of

three kimberlitic occurrences in southern West Greenland.

Diamond identification results, field description and magnetic

profiling. GEUS Rapport 2004/19, 41 pp.

J.B. Jørgensen & T.C.R. Pulvertaft 2004: Gossans, iron-formation and

associated supra-crustal rocks in the southern part of the

Uummannaq area, central West Greenland. GEUS Rapport

2004/18, 36 pp.

B.M. Nielsen 2004: Crustal architecture and spatial distribution

of mineral occurrences in the Precambrian shield of central

West Greenland based on an ananlysis of geophysical and geo-

logical data. (Thesis for Ph.D. degree from the University of Copen-

hagen). GEUS Rapport 2004/26, 63 pp. + appendices.

B.M. Nielsen & T.M. Rasmussen 2004: Mineral resources of the Pre-

cambrian shield of central West Greenland (66° to 70°15´N).

Part 3. Implications of potential field data for the tectonic

framework. GEUS Rapport 2004/2, 165 pp. + CD-rom.

T.F.D. Nielsen & S. Bernstein 2004: Maturation of areas in the Ter-

tiary of East Greenland for PGE-Ni-Cu exploration. GEUS Rap-

port 2004/6, 59 pp. + CD-rom.

H.K.Olsen 2004: Kortlægning af fedtstensforekomster i Grøn-

land. Greenland Resources A/S, 65 pp.

S. Planke, H.E.F.Amundsen, R. Myklebust & J.C. Olsen (eds) 2004:

Geophysical Atlas of the West Greenland Basins integrated

seismic, gravity and magnetic interpretation.VBPR,TGS-NOPEC

& GEUS.2. edition. Oslo, Norge.

T. Rasmussen and H.K. Olsen 2005: Prospecting for dimension

stones in Greenland, GEUS Bulletin 7, 73–76.

F. Schjøth & A. Steenfelt (red.) 2004: Mineral resources of the Pre-

cambrian shield of central West Greenland (66° to 70°15´N).

Part 1. Compilation of geoscience data. GEUS Rapport 2004/16,

45 pp. + DVD.

K. Secher 2004: Det hvide guld og det ægte guld – minedrift

og råstoffer i Grønlands 20. århundrede, GEUS, 64 pp.

K. Secher 2004: Nekrolog: Svend Valdemar Sølver,

Geologisk Tidsskrift 2004/2, 38–40.

L. Stemmerik & S. Stouge (eds) 2004: The Jurassic of North-East

Greenland. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin 5,

112 pp.

14

H. Stendal, B.M. Nielsen, K. Secher & A. Steenfelt 2004: Mineral re-

sources of the Precambrian shield of central West Greenland

(66° to 70°15´N). Part 2. Mineral occurrences. 2004/20, 212 pp.

H. Stendal and A.A. Garde 2005: Precambrian mineralising events

in central West Greenland (66°-70°15'N).

GEUS Bulletin 7, 61–64.

M. Sønderholm & A. K. Higgins (red.) 2004: Review of Survey activi-

ties 2004. GEUS Bulletin 4, 100 pp.

M. Sønderholm & A. K. Higgins (red.) 2005: Review of Survey activi-

ties 2004. GEUS Bulletin 7, 80 pp.

B.Thomassen & J.D. Krebs 2004: Mineral exploration of selected

targets in the Qaanaaq region, North-West Greenland: follow-

up on Qaanaaq 2001. GEUS Rapport 2004/42, 38 pp.

L.Thorning, L.[A.] Christensen, F. Schjøth & H. Stendal 2004: Green-

land Mineral Occurrence Map. Status report for the develop-

ment of a proto type for the Internet, January 2004. GEUS Rap-

port 2004/28, 52 pp.

L.Thorning, L.A. Christensen, B.M. Nielsen, F. Schjøth and H. Stendal

2005: On-line presentation of mineral occurrences in Green-

land, GEUS Bulletin 7, 57–60.

T. Tukiainen & J.D. Krebs 2004: Mineral resources of the Precam-

brian shield of central West Greenland (66° to 70°15´N). Part

4. Mapping of kimberlitic rocks in West Greenland using air-

borne hyperspectral data.

GEUS Rapport 2004/45, 31pp. + appendices + DVD.

T. Tukiainen and L.Thorning 2005: Detection of kimberlitic rocks

in West Greenland using airborne hyperspectral data: the Hy-

perGreen 2002 project, GEUS Bulletin 7, 69–72.

Minex News 2004-2005: Newsletter to the mining industry. Dan-

marks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse / Råstofdirektoratet,

Nr. 27–28

Ghexis Newsletter 2003-2004: Newsletter to the petroleum indu-

stry. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse/Råstof-

direktoratet

Leaflets and data sheetsP.W.U.Appel 2004: Gold in the Nuuk region of West Greenland.

Fact Sheet No 6, 2 pp.

S.M. Jensen & K. Secher 2004: Diamond exploration in

Greenland. Fact Sheet No 7, 2 pp.

B. Ljungdahl 2004: Mineral-guide: Ivittuut kryolitbrud,

Grønlands Stenklub, 48 pp.

B. Ljungdahl 2005: Mineral-guide: Grønlandske smykkesten,

Grønlands Stenklub, 82 pp.

B .Ljungdahl 2005: Mineral-guide: Prospektering for amatører,

Grønlands Stenklub, 78 pp.

T.F.D .Nielsen 2005: The mineral potential of the Palaeogene

intrusions, East Greenland. Fact Sheet No 9, 2 pp.

S.A.S. Pedersen & G.K. Pedersen 2005: Det geologiske kort over

Grønland. Geografisk Orientering 4/2005, 176–189.

K. Secher 2004: The Taartoq gold field, South West Greenland.

Fact Sheet No 8, 2 pp.

K. Secher 2004: Greenland’s prospective nickel resources.

Fact Sheet No 9, 2 pp.

K. Secher 2005: Mineralske råstoffer I Grønland.

GeoViden 1, 14 pp.

K. Secher 2005: Nalunaq – guldminedrift I Grønland.

Geografisk Orientering 4/2005, 162–168.

K. Secher & S.M. Jensen 2004: Diamond exploration in

Greenland. Geology & Ore 4, 12 pp.

B.Thomassen 2005: The Blyklippen lead-zinc mine at Mesters

Vig, East Greenland. Geology & Ore 5, 12 pp.

B.Thomassen 2005: The Malmbjerg porphyry molybdenum

deposit, East Greenland. Fact Sheet No 11, 2 pp.

L.Thorning 2005: Greenland mineral occurrence map on-line.

Fact Sheet No 10, 2 pp.

Ujarak 2004-2005: Medlemsblad for Grønlands Stenklub.

Nr. 3–6.

GEUS 2003: Catalogue of Greenland publications and data.

Update December 2003, 71 pp.

15

Geologist during field work at the gold deposit on Storø in 2005.

Photo: GEUS.

Annual Report on Mineral Resources in Grønland 2005

© Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum, June 2006.

Published by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum, the Joint

Committee on Mineral Resources in Greenland.

P.O. box 930, DK-3900 Nuuk, Greenland

Tel: (+299) 346800. Fax: +299 324302

www.bmp.gl, bmp@gh.gl

Publication and coordination:

The Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum in collaboration with GEUS.

Text and editing: K. Secher, GEUS

Graphics and layout:Annabeth Andersen, GEUS

This publication is published in Greenlandic, Danish and English.

ISSN: 1399-2058

16

The number of applications for minerals exploration licences in

Greenland increased markedly during 2005.The continued rise

in the price of gold and industrial minerals has been of special

significance to this increase. Similarly, diamond exploration

enjoys continued positive attention, and there is increased inte-

rest in known deposits, e.g. the deposit of zinc-lead in Maarmo-

rilik and the Citronen Fjord, and the deposits of iron in Isua and

molybdenum on the east coast.

A total of 15 new exploration licenses and four new prospec-

ting licences were granted in 2005.This adds up to 33 explora-

tion licenses covering an overall area of 12,986 Km2 at the end

of 2005. During the same period, 12 prospecting surveys were

granted.

Reflecting the optimism of the sector, overall exploration invest-

ments in Greenland have tripled in the period 2002 to 2004,

from DKK 20 million to DKK 66.2 million.

It should however be noted that some exploration activities

have been of a considerable scale.The largest project in 2004

concerned exploration for gold and PGE in Skærgaard, and the

exploration for gold on the island of Storø was also a large pro-

ject.The financial statement for 2005 was not completed at the

deadline for this report.

Another indication of the increase in activity is the number of

meters drilled.This figure doubled in the period 2003-2004. In

this period, the Skærgaard project contributed especially to the

amount of the drilling.

There were 10 drilling programmes in 2005 and a total of

25,246 meters were drilled.The number of meters drilled al-

most quadrupled in the period 2004-2005.Also in this period,

individual large projects contributed to the bulk of the drilling,

for example the Malmbjerg project, where a total of 6,306 me-

ters were drilled.The largest project was the gold exploration

project at Nalunaq where 10,000 meters were drilled.

Mineral resources exploration in Greenland in the period 2000-2005

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Number of prospecting projects

Number of exploration licences

Number of exploitation licences

Number of km2 covered by exploration licences

Exploration commitments (DKK mill.)

Exploration expenses incurred (DKK mill.)

Number of meters drilled in total

*The deadline for submission of accounts for 2005 is 1 April 2006.

Statistics in the mineral resources area

15 6 6 11 12 12

24 19 17 19 23 33

0 0 0 1 1 2

11.289 10.264 5.956 5.714 8.560 12,986

27,6 40,5 25,8 23,7 30,7 47,7

103,4 111,8 20,8 44,9 66,2 *

0 4.071 112 3.195 6.862 25.146

ISSN 1399-2058