Denmark
According to the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Denmark was one of the major producers of diatomite in the world; however, the data included moler, which was produced only in Denmark. Other mineral commodities produced in Denmark included industrial minerals such as chalk, clays, granite, limestone, quartz sand, and sand and gravel; metallic mineral resources were limited. Denmark also produced crude petroleum and natural gas in the Danish area of the North Sea. The gross value-added of the mining and quarrying sector accounted for 0.6% of Denmark’s total gross value-added. Of the total value of manufacturers’ sales in the mining and quarrying sector, production of crude petroleum and natural gas accounted for 63.7%; production of gravel and stone, 18.2%; and mining support service activities, 18.1%.
The Mining Code Act (No. 950 of 2009) is the primary mining law, focusing on the sustainable extraction of mineral resources in Denmark. The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) is a research and advisory institution that provides geologic knowledge and data, and oversees the scientific exploration of mineral resources in Denmark and Greenland. The GEUS operates under the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities.
The Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Faroe Islands had no significant identified mineral resources. The Faroese Geological Survey (Jarðfeingi) manages, advises, educates, and conducts research on crude petroleum, energy, and geological natural resources. The agency is also responsible for the administrative tasks related to hydrocarbon exploration and production activities in the Faroe Islands. The Faroese Geological Survey operates under the Ministry of Environment, Industry and Trade.
Greenland
Greenland is a self-governing administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark, and is the largest island in the world, with about 80% of its land covered in ice. In 2024, Greenland had one active mine, the White Mountain anorthosite (feldspar) mine. On January 1, 2024, the Mineral Activities Act of June 13, 2023 (the Mining Act) came into force as the primary framework legislation for all activities regarding Greenland’s minerals prospecting, exploration, and mining. The Mining Act replaces the Greenland Parliament Act of December 7, 2009, on Mineral Resources and Mineral Resource Activities (the Mineral Resources Act); however, the Mineral Resources Act remains partially valid with some amendments. To develop the mineral industry in Greenland and attract foreign exploration companies, the Greenland Ministry of Mineral Resources approved “Greenland’s Mineral Strategy 2020–2024.” The GEUS is a research and advisory institution that provides geologic knowledge and data, and oversees the scientific exploration of mineral resources in Denmark and Greenland. The GEUS operates under the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. The Mineral Resources Authority, a collective term for the authorities within the Government of Greenland, including the Ministry of Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Science and Environment, is responsible for all aspects of mineral exploration and mining in Greenland.
