Environment

Greenland’s melting ice is clearing the way for a mineral ‘gold rush’

Published

3 months ago

January 17, 2025

admin

In this aerial view melting icebergs crowd the Ilulissat Icefjord on July 16, 2024 near Ilulissat, Greenland.

Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Major ice loss from Greenland is exposing the island’s natural resources, inadvertently making some of the world’s largest untapped critical mineral reserves more accessible.

Greenland, a vast but sparsely populated island situated between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, has been transformed by the climate crisis in recent decades.

A major analysis of historic satellite images, published last year by researchers at the U.K.’s University of Leeds, showed that the autonomous Danish territory is turning increasingly green due to human-caused global warming.

The changing environment has seen parts of Greenland’s ice sheet and glaciers replaced by wetlands, areas of shrub and barren rock.

Scientists have repeatedly sounded the alarm over the melting snow and ice on the island, warning the loss of ice mass risks increased greenhouse gas emissions and rising sea levels.

For mining companies, Greenland’s ice retreat could facilitate the start of a mineral “gold rush.”

Landscape, on the Drygalski Peninsula, with icebergs in the Uummannaq Fjord System in the northwest of Greenland, north of the polar circle.

Reda | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

“What’s happening now is interesting because the waters around Greenland are opening up earlier and earlier each year and closing down later and later each year. And the ability to get into these far-flung places is a lot easier than it was 20, 30, 40 or 70 years ago,” Roderick McIllree, executive director of U.K.-based mining company 80 Mile, told CNBC via video call.

“Now, the ice probably only really forms for three or four months in the very northern latitudes and the rest of the country is seeing receding ice caps that is exposing rocks and potential mineral deposits that haven’t been seen before,” he added.

80 Mile currently has three projects it is actively developing in Greenland, including a large oil concession on the island’s east coast, a titanium project near the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in the northwest and its Disko-Nuussuaq project in the southwest.

Underlining the island’s strategic potential as a globally significant mining hub, McIllree said the firm’s Disko project could be one of the largest occurrences of nickel and copper on the planet.

A geopolitical storm

Tony Sage, CEO of Critical Metals Corporation, which is developing one of the world’s largest rare earth assets in Greenland, said ice melt on the island had done the mining company “enormous favors” from a logistical standpoint.

Sage said the company had been able to bring in large ships directly from the North Atlantic “right up to the edge of our ore body” at Tanbreez in southern Greenland, adding that the creation of fjords 80 meters deep meant the team had been able to make use of a floating dock rather than a port.

A boat carrying tourists manoeuvres among icebergs floating in Disko Bay, Ilulissat, western Greenland, on June 30, 2022.

Odd Andersen | Afp | Getty Images

“You can imagine, it’s easier now to do these things. If you go into Russia, for example, in Siberia, it’s under a lot of permafrost and ice and they still manage to mine a lot of minerals, as well as oil and gas. So, yes, there will be a mini gold rush into Greenland,” Sage told CNBC via video call.

Alongside Greenland’s harsh climate, remote landscape and small population, Sage highlighted a lack of infrastructure as a barrier for mining companies to overcome.

“It’s just logistics. The Danes never built a railway [and] didn’t build any roads,” Sage said.

“Once you’re outside of these little towns and cities, there are no roads. So, if you want to go in between, for example, Qaqortoq, where we are, to Nuuk, you have to take a helicopter. So, that is the issue that you’ll have with a gold rush,” he added.

Greenland, which has long pitched itself as a Western alternative to China’s near monopoly on rare earth elements, has been thrust into the center of a geopolitical storm in recent weeks.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to gain control of the territory, describing the prospect as an “absolute necessity” for purposes related to national security.

Speaking at a news conference earlier in the month, Trump refused to rule out the possibility of using military force to make Greenland a part of U.S.

Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said Monday that the island is open to closer ties with U.S., particularly in areas such as mining. Egede has previously insisted Greenland is “not for sale” and called for the international community to respect the island’s aspirations for independence.

Early stages

Jakob Kløve Keiding, senior consultant at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), said a 2023 survey of Greenland’s resource potential evaluated a total of 38 raw materials on the island, the vast majority of which have a relatively high or moderate potential.

These materials include the rare earth metals graphite, niobium, platinum group metals, molybdenum, tantalum and titanium. Greenland is also known to have significant lithium, hafnium, uranium and gold deposits.

Critical minerals refer to a subset of materials considered essential to the energy transition. The end-use of these materials, which tend to have a high risk of supply chain disruption, are wide-ranging and include electric vehicle batteries, energy storage technologies and national security applications.

A woman looks out from a tour boat as it sails away from a glacier between Maniitsoq and Sisimiut, west coast of Greenland on September 4, 2024.

James Brooks | Afp | Getty Images

“There is huge potential [in Greenland] but, at the moment, there is not actually much mining going on,” Keiding told CNBC via telephone.

“Greenland is what we would call a greenfield exploration area. So, [it is] in the early stages of exploration where, for many of the deposits, we don’t have that much data. But there are some large and well-established deposits with known resources.”

Keiding issued a note of caution when asked about the prospect of a mineral gold rush, saying that while Greenland’s retreating ice may remove some logistical hurdles, progress in terms of extraction will likely take “quite some time.”

Environment

This 2026 luxury Genesis electric SUV already has a massive $14,000 discount

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2025

admin

This 2026 luxury Genesis electric SUV already has a massive ,000 discount

The redesigned 2026 Genesis GV70 EV is arriving with significant discounts of up to $14,000. Genesis upgraded the luxury electric SUV with a longer driving range and a refined design, both inside and out. Here’s how you can score some savings.

Genesis introduces 2026 GV70 EV discounts

After launching the updated model in Korea earlier this year, the new GV70 EV is now arriving in the US. The new 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 is an improvement in nearly every way compared to the outgoing model.

Like the gas-powered model, the EV version features a revamped design with a new Crest grille, a revised bumper, and MLA technology added to the Two-Tone headlights.

Inside, the GV70 EV has been “reborn” with more space and luxury. A new 27″ screen combines the infotainment and driver display, while the climate control now has a separate screen. Other premium features like the crystal electronic shift dial remain.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Powered by a larger 84 kWh battery, the new GV70 EV offers a driving range of up to 423 km (263 miles) in Korea, an increase from 400 km (249 miles) in the outgoing model with a 77.4 kWh battery.

Although US specs have yet to be announced, the 2026 model is expected to feature slightly more driving range than the current 236-mile EPA rating for the 2025 GV70. It’s expected to provide closer to 250 miles of range. It will also include an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

According to a recent note sent to dealers viewed by CarsDirect, the 2026 Genesis GV70 EV is already available with discounts of up to $14,000 for a 24-month lease.

The savings vary by trim, with up to $3,500 in lease cash available on the Standard trim and up to $ 5,250 on the Advanced trim. Meanwhile, the range-topping Prestige trim features up to $14,000 in lease cash discounts.

Although the discount is significantly higher, the Prestige model also has a higher lease rate of 5.4% compared to 0.1% for the Advanced trim.

If you choose the 36-month loan, lease cash drops to just $500 for the Advanced and $3,250 for the Prestige. The base Standard trim offers no lease cash, but has a lease rate close to 0%. Other special finance rates include 5.99% APR for 60 months and 6.49% for 72-month loans.

20265-Genesis-EV-discounts — Genesis Electrified GV70 updated model (Source: Hyundai Motor)

The national lease offer is $679 for 36 months based on the Standard trim with an MSRP of $65,830. With $5,999 due at signing, the effective monthly cost is $845. The offer ends on April 30.

If you’re looking for a cheaper lease option, the upgraded 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most affordable EV lease deals right now. It starts at just $199 for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing.

Ready to score some savings while they are still here? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on the Genesis GV70 EV and Hyundai IONIQ 5 in your area.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

Windrose electric semi truck isn’t coming to America – it’s already here

Published

5 hours ago

April 28, 2025

admin

Windrose electric semi truck isn't coming to America – it's already here

Windrose Launches First All-Electric Long-Haul Sleeper Truck in U.S., Partnering With JoyRide Logistics & EO Charging to Deliver TCO Parity for Shippers

The 2025 edition of the ACT Expo hasn’t even started yet, but there’s already at least one big takeaway wort talking about: the Tesla-fighting Windrose electric semi truck from ~~China~~ Belgium is not coming to America … it’s already here. And it’s already in customers’ hands.

The ~~Chinese~~ Belgian heavy truck manufacturer announced plans to build its R700 Class 8 electric truck in the US in a bid to sidestep the heavy tariffs and trade restrictions on imported HDEVs last year – and last week, the company delivered the first-ever all electric, long-haul sleeper truck to a US fleet customer.

The trucks are deployed by JoyRide Logistics, a Phoenix-based carrier and the first US regional trucking company to operate fully electric sleeper trucks on long (-ish) distance routes that include overnight drives. The initial rollout is happening in Arizona, California, and Nevada, with nationwide expansion already “in sight,” according to both companies.

“This isn’t just a prototype or promise-this is a fully operational, long-range electric truck that’s ready to haul freight today,” says Wen Han, founder and CEO of Windrose. “We’ve validated our technology globally and are proud to bring it to the US – one of the most important logistics markets in the world.”

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Meeting the needs

JoyRide Logistics LLC partners with a number of its Fortune 500 customers, many of whom have public ESG goals and are actively working to reduce Scope 3 emissions. The integration of the Windrose R700 electric semis into their fleets is a targeted effort to help achieve their stated sustainability goals.

“Partnering with Windrose allows us to stay ahead-not just on sustainability, but on total operational performance,” said Adis Danan, President at JoyRide Logistics. “We’re talking fuel savings, reduced maintenance, and a future-ready fleet that our customers can get behind. We want to make electric logistics efficient, scalable-and cool.”

Windrose brought one of its all-electric R700 Class 8 trucks to this year’s ACT Expo, giving journalists and fleet buyers a chance to see the truck first hand. At last year’s show, Windrose impressed with a preproduction truck featuring what appeared to be a slick UI, well-finished interior, and solid construction.

The R700 packs a 729 kWh battery is reportedly good for about 420 miles of range on a single charge with a full, 49 ton GVW. The company has shown concepts (some renderings, some mules) in long-haul, severe duty, and dump body configurations.

Windrose is backed by HSBC, Citi, Fountainvest, GSR Ventures, HITE Hedge, Goodman Group, and other world-renowned investors, and has now worked with Decathlon, Remy Cointreau, Nestle Wyeth Nutrition, and many other top brands. Watch this space for more.

Electrek’s Take

In a bid to shake the “Chinese truck” stigmas in the west, Windrose has moved its corporate offices and is now based in Antwerp, Belgium – but it doesn’t matter if they say they’re based on Venus. The fact remains they have a capable, competent battery electric sleeper truck in the US and in customers’ hands right now … and they are absolutely full speed ahead.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Windrose; via Access Newswire, CleanTrucking.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

Toyota unveils two sleek new EVs launching in China soon: Meet the bZ7 and Lexus ES

Published

5 hours ago

April 28, 2025

admin

Toyota unveils two sleek new EVs launching in China soon: Meet the bZ7 and Lexus ES

Toyota is preparing to launch two new electric vehicles in China by mid-2026. The flagship Toyota bZ7 and Lexus ES are part of Toyota’s effort to regain market share from domestic electric vehicle (EV) leaders like BYD. Here’s our first look at the sleek new electric cars.

Meet the new Toyota bZ7 and Lexus ES EVs

At Auto Shanghai 2025 last week, Toyota announced plans to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup in China. According to Toyota, China is a “highly advanced market that leads the way in electrification.”

To keep pace, Toyota unveiled its new flagship electric sedan, the bZ7. The new bZ7 was developed locally with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co, and Intelligent ElectroMobility R&D Center by TOYOTA.

The bZ7 is over 5 meters long and will compete with the BYD Han L, Tesla Model S, BMW i5, and other premium EV models in China.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Toyota said the electric sedan will feature its “safe, reliable, and high-quality manufacturing” while infusing “China’s advanced tech.”

Although no other details were offered, Toyota said its new flagship EV will be equipped with the latest intelligent tech and is expected to launch within a year. The bZ7 will join the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5 in Toyota’s expanding EV lineup for China.

Toyota also unveiled the new Lexus ES at the event. The new model will be the first next-gen Lexus with EV and HEV powertrain options.

The eighth-gen ES is based on the LF-ZC concept, marking the beginning of the next generation of Lexus. The EV version will be available with FWD and AWD powertrain options, offering driving ranges of up to 685 km (425 miles) and 610 km (379 miles) on the CLTC cycle, respectively.

Inside, Lexus said the ES will debut with the world’s first Responsive Hidden Switches, which “seamlessly blends physical controls into the interior” for added convenience. It will also include a Lexus-first, Sensory Concierge, for a personalized in-car experience.

Lexus’ new electric sedan is 5,140 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall, approximately the same size as BYD’s Han L model (5,050 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,505 mm tall).

The ES is the second of three new Lexus electric vehicles set to debut by March 2026. It will follow the RZ and UX in the luxury brand’s EV lineup for China.

What are your thoughts on the new Toyota bZ7 and Lexus ES? Can they compete in China’s intensifying EV market? Let us know in the comments below.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.