U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday plans for significant exploration of oil, gas, and minerals in Greenland. The specific details of this exploration were not immediately clear, given that Greenland is an autonomous territory under Denmark’s governance and not part of the United States.

Trump’s announcement came after a campaign event in Alaska where he showed support for Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in his bid for re-election against Democratic candidate Mary Peltola. The President’s remarks aimed to address concerns about rising energy costs affecting American workers before the upcoming midterm elections.

Despite Trump’s enthusiasm, previous attempts to extract resources in Greenland have faced challenges due to harsh weather conditions, lack of infrastructure, and complex geology. Efforts to mine rare earth minerals, oil, and gas have remained in the preliminary stages.

In recent weeks, Trump signed an agreement with Danish and Greenlandic leaders to enhance security in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions. The deal does not grant the U.S. special exploration rights in Greenland but imposes restrictions on non-NATO countries investing in strategic sectors.

Greenland possesses significant rare earth mineral deposits crucial for various technologies, including electronics and renewable energy systems. The U.S. Geological Survey has also identified promising offshore oil and gas reserves, although extracting these resources presents technical difficulties due to geological and environmental challenges.

Trump emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance, highlighting its role in defense and security for the U.S. and Europe. He mentioned plans to enhance the U.S. military presence in Greenland, citing its pivotal location for monitoring and deterring potential threats.

While Trump has long expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, the territory’s leaders have consistently rejected such proposals. The future of resource exploration in Greenland remains uncertain, with challenges to overcome in accessing its valuable natural reserves.