Legal foundation
The Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP) under the Greenland Government is the overall administrative authority for mineral resources, including all matters relating to mineral resources, mineral resource activities, use of the subsoil for storage or purposes relating to mineral resource activities, related energy activities, related pipeline activities and other related activities.
The BMP considers all such matters on the basis of The Mineral Resources Act and provisions laid down under the Act as well as on the basis of other acts and rules of relevance to mineral resources, mineral resource activities, use of the subsoil for storage or purposes relating to mineral resource activities, related energy activities, related pipeline activities and other related activities unless other acts or rules provide that other authorities must consider the matter. The Mineral Resource Authority is the administrative and competent authority under the other acts and rules with regard to mineral resources, mineral resource activities, use of the subsoil for storage or purposes relating to mineral resource activities, related energy activities, related pipeline activities and other related activities.
The Mineral Resources Act
Greenland Parliament Act no. 7 of December 7, 2009, on mineral resources and mineral resource activities (the Mineral Resources Act) came into force on January 1st 2010.
The Act is intended as a framework act laying down the main principles for the administration of mineral resource activities and authorizes the Greenland Government to lay down provisions in executive orders and standard license terms as well as specific license terms. The Act aims to ensure that activities under the Act are securely performed as regards safety, health, the environment, resource exploitation and social sustainability as well as properly performed according to acknowledged best international practices under similar conditions.
Explanatory Notes for the Mineral Resource Act
Background and explanation to the Mineral Resource Act.
Standard Licence Terms for Minerals
At present a number of standard Terms and guidelines are in force regarding mineral resources. These are in the process of being revised and transformed into executive orders.
Standard Licence Terms for Prospecting
Describes the terms of which a licence for prospecting for hard minerals will be granted under normal circumstances.
Standard Licence Terms for Exploration
The Standard terms are the foundation on which all licences will be granted with only slight variations depending on the area, mineral etc. Individually terms will be made by the BMP. Where the Mineral Resources Act covers the overall regulatory framework and conditions for exploring in Greenland, these standard terms are more explanatory although not exhausting.
Amendment of Standard Terms for Exploration of September 9 2010
On September 9 2010 Naalakkersuisut approved the amendment of sec. 709, 710 and 711 to the Standard Terms for Exploration. The amendment specifies and clarifies the rules regarding radioactive elements and exploration activities in relation to feasibility studies.
Rules for field work
Requirements for all persons and companies doing field work on land related to a mineral resource activity.
Reporting
The Mineral Resources Act and the Standard Licence Terms requires a Licensee to make a number of reports, under this link you can find guidelines and formats for preparing these.
Standard Licence Terms for Small Scale exploration and exploitation of minerals
Describes the terms under which permanent residents in Greenland can explore and exploit minerals commercially on a small scale basis. Permanent residents may apply for an non-exclusive licence covering a standard area or a exclusive licence covering an area of 1 km2. The licence terms are not available in English.
Standard Terms for Small Scale Exploration (Greenlandic)
Standard Terms for Small Scale Exploration (Danish)
Standard Terms for Small Scale Exploitation (Greenlandic)
Standard Terms for Small Scale Exploitation (Danish)
Standard Licence Terms for hydrocarbons
Standard Licence Terms for Exploration and exploitation
A licence for hydrocarbons is based on a model licence, depending on the area which has been applied for. A licence for hydrocarbons is given as exclusive rights to explore and exploit hydrocarbons within the given licence area on the given terms.
Standard Licence Terms for Prospecting
A Prospecting licence for hydrocarbons gives a non exclusive right to carry out activities that could help decide if and in which area exploration for hydrocarbons should be done.