On 3 March 2026, in Toronto, Canada, BRGM, the French national geological survey, and the Department of Geology of the Government of Greenland signed a cooperation agreement.
© BRGM
On 3 March 2026, the French geological survey BRGM signed a cooperation agreement with the Geology Department of the Government of Greenland in Toronto, Canada.
The purpose of the agreement signed in Toronto on 3 March 2026 by the Geology Department of the Government of Greenland and BRGM is to strengthen cooperation between France and Greenland in the field of strategic raw materials.
This agreement follows the visit to Greenland by French President Emmanuel Macron in the summer of 2025, and the subsequent discussions between BRGM and the Geology Department of the Government of Greenland.
Reinforcing the long-standing cooperation between Greenland and France on Earth sciences and strategic mineral resources
Historically, BRGM has been involved intermittently in projects in Greenland, in association with the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and Greenland’s Department of Geology. Its scientists include a specialist in Devonian sedimentary formations (ancient landforms dating back to the Primary Era and that are found in Greenland).
The 3-year agreement covers the following geoscientific areas:
- Identification and development of strategic primary and secondary mineral resources;
- Geological mapping and exploration of mineral resources, primarily using satellite, geophysical and digital-modelling approaches;
- Natural hazards and their management;
- Development of digital tools for geosciences, including 3D modelling and mapping;
- Use of the subsurface to support the energy transition, including geothermal energy, heat and gas storage, natural hydrogen and the capture, use and underground storage of CO2;
- International cooperation projects.
The cooperation agreement was signed by Romain Meyer, head of the Geology Department of the Government of Greenland, and Christophe Poinssot, Deputy Director General of BRGM, in the presence of Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Raw Materials, Energy, Justice and Equality, Peter Borg, Greenland’s Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture, Self-sufficiency and the Environment, Nicolas Forissier, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, and Michel Miraillet, French Ambassador to Canada.
Two projects planned for the short term
Following the signing of this agreement, a project for satellite geological surveys of Greenland is currently under discussion. This mapping project, involving BRGM, the Geology Department of the Government of Greenland and the French company Viridien, should provide new and more detailed information on Greenland's geology.
A second project, entitled “Greenland Green Growth”, is also being prepared. It will focus on geological and mineral knowledge of Greenland. Funded by the European Union, this project is coordinated by EIT Raw Materials. It will bring together the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), the Geological Survey of Finland
