The historical context of cryolite extraction in Greenland is prompting further reevaluation of Denmark’s colonial legacy as it explores the intricacies of its relationship with Greenland through a new documentary.
Cryolite Mining: A Lucrative Business
For more than 130 years, the mineral cryolite was extracted from a mine located in the depths of the Arsuk Fjord in southwestern Greenland by Danish miners and shipped back to Denmark. This lucrative operation became a multi-billion dollar industry, benefiting numerous Danish companies that held rights to mine this critical mineral. A new documentary produced by DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) sheds light on the significance of cryolite to the Danish state and its corporations, revealing new details about its economic impact while reigniting discussions on the intricate, often problematic, relationship between Denmark and Greenland.
Kirsten Thisted, an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen specializing in Greenlandic literature and culture, argues that the documentary challenges the Danish self-image as a “benevolent colonial power.” She notes, “Today, this historical context must certainly be written into all the cases we currently have.”
The Economic Benefits of Cryonite
The mining of cryolite has undeniably been a profitable venture. According to Torben M. Andersen, an economics professor at Aarhus University, the cryolite mine represented “a very good business.” Companies involved in its extraction have seen considerable profits, and since 1940, Øresund A/S, a cryolite company, held the extraction rights, with the Danish government entering as a co-owner. Up until that point, the government generated revenue from the fees companies paid for the rights to mine and sell cryolite.
Andersen emphasizes that the mining operation was financially rewarding. “We know the company has had significant profits and that considerable sums have been paid in taxes and dividends to the state,” he stated. The financial benefits to the Danish state during this time point to a complex history where economic gains came at a cost to Greenland and its indigenous population. The Danish Cryolite-profits has ignited the debate about Danish colonial debts to Greenland.
Importantly, Greenland is the only place in the world with significant deposits of cryolite. The deposit found in Ivittuut, southwestern Greenland, was particularly notable during World War II, when Americans went to great lengths to protect the mine due to cryolite’s critical role in aluminum production, essential for wartime aircraft. The U.S. even deployed 600 soldiers to Ivittuut to safeguard the mine and ensure the transportation of cryolite to American aluminum factories.
Karen Hanghøj, Director of the British Geological Survey and a former state geologist in Denmark, described cryolite as a “critical mineral.” She added, “It meant that a mineral was both important and at risk of scarcity, and our industry needed it.”
Rising Tensions in Modern Denmark-Greenland Relations
Currently, the relationship between Denmark and Greenland is under significant scrutiny. Greenlanders have filed lawsuits against the Danish government for alleged human rights violations in various instances. Among these cases are two investigations designed to uncover the extent of legal responsibility for what is known as the “spiral case.” This situation arose when Greenlandic women were allegedly subjected to the coercive placement of contraceptive devices without consent, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.
Moreover, four Greenlanders have recently threatened to sue the state over alleged questionable legal grounds for their adoptions from Greenland to Denmark.
All of this while Denmark, Greenland and the US is taking part in dramatic, public negotiations over security and rights to the territory of Greenland.
A Call for Reexamination
Kirsten Thisted emphasizes that the ongoing revelation of historical injustices between Denmark and Greenland is causing anger among Greenlanders. This anger, she notes, is becoming a force, empowering them to speak out about their treatment and assert their desire for self-determination. She observes, “All these skeletons tumbling out of the closet in relation to Denmark and Greenland create an anger that is also productive. It leads the Greenlanders to say, ‘Look at how we’ve been treated; we won’t tolerate this any longer; now we want to be ourselves.’”
Increased awareness of the economic implications of the longstanding relationship between Denmark and Greenland may contribute significantly to changing perceptions. Thisted argues that as more information comes to light, it will press the Danish public to rethink old narratives and be open to new stories regarding Denmark’s relationship with Greenland: “The more revelations we have, the more it will compel Danes to reconsider these old narratives and be ready to engage in new narratives about the Denmark-Greenland relationship.”
Historical Reexamination Underway
The call for such a reexamination is only gaining momentum. Søren Rud, a history lecturer at the University of Copenhagen, agrees on the importance of bringing past connections to the forefront. “I think it’s relevant to bring all aspects of this historical relationship, these interconnected stories that Denmark and Greenland have, into light,” he stated.
As part of an official response to growing concerns, the Danish government has politically mandated the creation of a historical investigation into the relationship between Denmark and Greenland from World War II through to the present. This effort is expected to take five years and aims to explore the contentious issues brought up by recent documentaries and public discussions.
