Greenland Resources Advanced Rare Earth Test Program
The company has collected site materials to test for mineral recovery as a potential alternative to Chinese supply chains.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Geography
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Greenland Resources has collected over eight tonnes of drill core and fourteen tonnes of water to evaluate the feasibility of recovering rare earth elements and magnesium as by-products. This study is currently in the research stage, with testing scheduled to continue through early 2028.
Why it matters
The program aims to address heavy global reliance on China, which currently produces 69% of rare earth elements and 89% of global magnesium. By testing the Malmbjerg ore body for these minerals, researchers hope to diversify supply chains for the EU and North America.
The study involves eight tonnes of drill core and fourteen tonnes of fresh and saline water collected from Greenland. Researchers must verify if these concentrations can be efficiently processed, a process currently benchmarked against global dominance by Chinese extraction facilities.
The players
Greenland Resources
A mining development firm focused on the Malmbjerg project in Greenland.
Natural Resources Canada
A Canadian government department providing research funding for domestic and international mineral security.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for establishing regional supply chain priorities.
SGS Lakefield
An Ontario-based analytical laboratory conducting metallurgical testing and mineral recovery validation.
The details
The material, sourced from the Malmbjerg molybdenum deposit, was transported via shipping containers from Greenland to Iceland, then to Canada for laboratory analysis. To ensure sample integrity, water was collected in 1,000-litre plastic tanks, with each line flushed for one minute before filling to minimize environmental contamination. The laboratory program at SGS Lakefield, Ontario, is designed to confirm whether rare earth elements and magnesium can be effectively isolated from the primary ore body.
Timeline
December 3, 2025: The European Commission named Malmbjerg a priority project.
October 12, 2026: Materials are scheduled to arrive at SGS Lakefield.
March 2028: The testing program is slated to conclude.
The Tech Race
The Malmbjerg project follows the strategy established by the European Commission's RESourceEU initiative to reduce reliance on non-EU mineral suppliers. It represents a broader effort to compete with Chinese market dominance by developing alternative extraction sites for magnesium and rare earths.
This research is currently in the testing phase and does not yet impact industrial supply chains or product pricing. Future results will determine if this site becomes a viable commercial alternative to current high-dependency mineral markets.
The takeaway
The Malmbjerg project demonstrates the significant resource investment required to challenge established mineral monopolies. Watch for the 2026 laboratory results to see if the measured concentration grades support the project's viability as a non-Chinese source for rare earths and magnesium.
What happens next
The research team will provide updates as results emerge from the SGS Lakefield laboratory, with the comprehensive test program concluding in March 2028.
Further reading
For more on the regional distribution of mineral extraction, visit Geography.
More information
View the latest Company Canadian regulatory filings for project updates.
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