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But Gillam sounds a cautionary note, stressing that there are many hidden barriers to growth in the Arctic such as a limited number of dumper trucks needed to transport the gravel that underpins just about every construction project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building the infrastructure normally takes specialist equipment and expertise that scarcely exists in the remote locations of the Arctic, providing unexpected spin-off opportunities for those leading the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amaroq, a UK and Canadian-listed minerals group, recently opened up one of Greenland\u2019s first mines and is now offering its drill rigs and infrastructure building experience to others trying to set up there. Progress is still slow, with miners often blaming the harsh environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul Gibbs, chair of global business development at Bechtel, says that he and others at the US construction group were surprised to find they had done more than 100 projects north of the Arctic Circle. He says that protecting both the environment and local communities, often tiny by non-Arctic standards, are vital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBuilding infrastructure in extreme and remote cold climates requires careful design and selection of materials, appropriate and seasonal construction execution methods, and thoughtful logistics to ensure confident delivery,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All involved say that engaging with local populations is vital. But many of the problems with existing projects stem exactly from this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
S\u00e1mi reindeer herders in both northern Norway and Sweden have complained bitterly about both wind farm and mining projects disturbing grazing areas, leading to charges of \u201cgreen colonialism\u201d \u2014 businesses using climate change to hurt indigenous people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sara Olsvig, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, says that more than half of known deposits for critical minerals needed for the energy transition are \u201con or near the lands of indigenous people\u201d. She adds: \u201cIf you look at the mineral sector, it bears a terrible track record of human rights\u2019 violations, of forced relocations, of deforestation, of land-grabbing. So we are facing a huge challenge.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The risk \u2014 as seen with Trump\u2019s rhetoric on taking control of Greenland from Denmark, potentially by force \u2014 is that outsiders try to dictate the terms. But, as with Trump, that is no guarantee of success. Operating in such remote locations needs local expertise. \u201cYou have to be aware of the cultural nuances and indigenous sensitivities of the Arctic, which are unusual and unlike other places,\u201d says Gillam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How miners and other businesses approach that could well decide if the Arctic is more opportunity or challenge in the next decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n