Perth-listed ETM partners with US adviser Cohen & Company to advance its Kvanefjeld rare earths project amid legal disputes and geopolitical tensions, aiming for a Nasdaq listing and stronger Western supply chain integration.
Energy Transition Minerals has moved to broaden its access to US capital and political networks as it seeks to advance the stalled Kvanefjeld rare earths project in Greenland.
The Perth-listed company said it had appointed US-based Cohen & Company Capital Markets as its exclusive US financial adviser, with a Nasdaq listing “in mind”, a strategy it described as intended to secure access to US capital markets, enhance liquidity and align ETM more closely with Western critical-minerals supply chains. According to the company, Cohen will advise on listing strategy, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets engagement; the firm’s track record includes high‑profile SPAC and combination deals in the critical‑minerals sector, ETM said.
ETM’s stated priority remains Kvanefjeld, a deposit the company says contains more than 1 billion tonnes of resources, including 11.1 million tonnes of rare earth elements (REEs) and 593 million pounds of uranium. The company emphasised the project’s year‑round shipping access as a potential cost advantage for European and US customers and framed Kvanefjeld as “a unique opportunity to establish a new Western supply source of rare earths that could change the balance of power globally in critical minerals,” a line used by ETM’s managing director in company commentary.
“Because of its immense scale, quality and geo-strategic significance, the Kvanefjeld Project represents a unique opportunity to establish a new Western supply source of rare earths that could change the balance of power globally in critical minerals,” ETM MD Daniel Mamadou said. “Our strategy to advance Kvanefjeld is completely aligned with Western geopolitical initiatives to break China’s stranglehold on rare earths supply. Given that most of the impetus to do this is being led by the US, it makes complete sense to pursue a Nasdaq listing where we can access the appropriate investor support, transaction structures and capital to progress this strategy to the next level. We look forward to working with the Cohen team to unlock the enormous value in the Kvanefjeld Project for the benefit of our shareholders and all other stakeholders.”
ETM has also strengthened its senior advisory ranks, appointing two senior Danish diplomats to an advisory board: Jeppe Kofod, former Danish foreign minister and former member of the European Parliament, and Friis Arne Petersen, a former Danish ambassador to the United States, China and Germany. The company said the appointments were intended to bolster engagement with Greenlandic and Danish stakeholders and to support the project’s international and policy positioning.
But the project remains the subject of legal and political dispute. ETM has been pursuing arbitration and litigation after Greenland introduced a Uranium Act in 2021 that restricted uranium mining and led to the denial of an exploitation licence for Kvanefjeld. According to reporting by The Guardian, the company initiated arbitration proceedings contending the law amounts to expropriation; Greenland’s mining minister described the arbitration as an affront to democratic institutions and national sovereignty. Energy industry reporting and company announcements state ETM has lodged a Statement of Claim with an arbitral tribunal seated in Copenhagen and is seeking compensation from the Governments of Greenland and Denmark, after having invested substantial sums into the project, reports place the company’s pre‑halt investment at more than 1 billion Danish kroner (roughly $138 million).
Timelines for the dispute remain fluid. Company communications and third‑party reporting indicate the Arbitral Tribunal is expected to rule on jurisdictional issues in late 2025, and that litigation timetables in the Greenland High Court and related proceedings will continue through that period. TipRanks and other market notices summarise ETM’s view that the tribunal’s jurisdictional decision will materially determine the arbitration’s future course.
Industry observers and environmental campaigners have framed the dispute as emblematic of a broader tension between the drive to secure Western supplies of critical minerals for the green transition and local environmental, social and political concerns. Local protests against mining near Kvanefjeld have featured in coverage, and Greenlandic officials have defended the Uranium Act as a reflection of domestic policy choices on mining and environmental protection, while ETM argues that the measures have undermined its contractual rights and investment expectations.
ETM and its advisers are therefore pursuing parallel tracks: advancing international investor engagement and a prospective Nasdaq strategy while continuing legal action to secure clarity and potential compensation. The company characterises these moves as necessary to realise what it calls the project’s geo‑strategic importance; independent analysts and Greenlandic authorities caution that regulatory, legal and community hurdles remain decisive for any ultimate development.
According to Energy Transition Minerals’ public statements, the Nasdaq focus is intended to attract the capital and transaction structures required to progress Kvanefjeld and to position the project within Western supply chains; observers note that a successful relaunch would hinge not only on financing but on resolving the outstanding licence and policy disputes with Greenland and Denmark.
- https://stockhead.com.au/resources/energy-transition-minerals-appoints-us-advisers-with-nasdaq-listing-in-mind/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://stockhead.com.au/resources/energy-transition-minerals-appoints-us-advisers-with-nasdaq-listing-in-mind/ – Energy Transition Minerals (ETM) has appointed Cohen & Company Capital Markets as its exclusive US financial advisor, aiming to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange. This strategic move seeks to access US capital markets, enhance liquidity, and align ETM with Western critical mineral supply chains. Cohen has a history of advising on significant SPAC transactions, including combinations with USA Rare Earth, Critical Metals Corp, Mkango, and Tactical Resources. ETM’s primary focus is the Kvanefjeld rare earths project in Greenland, which boasts over 1 billion tonnes of resources containing 11.1 million tonnes of rare earth elements (REEs) and 593 million pounds of uranium. The project has faced legal challenges after its exploitation licence was denied, leading ETM to take the case to the High Court of Greenland. The Kvanefjeld project offers year-round shipping access, potentially providing significant cost advantages to European and US customers. ETM’s strategy aligns with Western geopolitical initiatives to diversify rare earths supply chains and reduce dependence on China. The company has also appointed former Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Kofod, and former Danish Ambassador to the United States, Friis Arne Petersen, to its Advisory Board, aiming to strengthen its engagement with Greenlandic and Danish stakeholders.
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/05/greenland-mining-energy-transition-minerals-environmental-laws-uranium-rare-earth-toxic-waste-investor-state-dispute-settlement-isds-aoe – Greenland’s government faces a significant legal challenge from Energy Transition Minerals (ETM) over the Kvanefjeld rare earths project. ETM initiated arbitration proceedings after the introduction of the Uranium Act in 2021, which restricted uranium mining and effectively blocked ETM’s exploitation licence. The case raises questions about investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms and the balance between environmental protection and foreign investment. Greenland’s mining minister, Naaja Nathanielsen, expressed strong opposition to the arbitration, viewing it as an affront to democratic institutions and national sovereignty. ETM’s managing director, Daniel Mamadou-Blanco, argues that the government’s decision constitutes expropriation, entitling the company to compensation. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for foreign investment in Greenland’s mining sector and the application of environmental laws.
- https://energynews.oedigital.com/mineral-resources/2025/02/11/the-license-holder-claims-that-the-repeal-of-greenlands-uranium-ban-could-bring-back-a-massive-rare-earth-project – Energy Transition Minerals (ETM) invested over 1 billion Danish crowns (approximately $138 million) into the Kvanefjeld rare earths project before it was halted due to Greenland’s Uranium Act. The company has filed an arbitration claim seeking compensation from both the Greenlandic and Danish governments. Managing director Daniel Mamadou stated that the outcome of the case will determine future foreign investment attitudes towards Greenland. Despite local protests near Kvanefjeld, Mamadou remains optimistic about the project’s economic impact, believing it could boost Greenland’s fishing-dependent economy and pave the way for economic independence from Denmark.
- https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/energy-transition-minerals-updates-on-kvanefjeld-project-legal-proceedings – Energy Transition Minerals Ltd has provided an update on its legal proceedings concerning the Kvanefjeld Rare Earths Project in Greenland. The company is involved in arbitration with the Governments of Greenland and Denmark following the introduction of the Uranium Act, which affected its exploitation license rights. A decision from the Arbitral Tribunal on jurisdiction is expected in Q4 2025, which will determine the future course of the arbitration. Additionally, litigation processes are ongoing in both Greenland and Denmark, with the Greenland High Court expected to manage the case timetable by late 2025. Despite the lack of substantive defense from the governments involved, ETM remains committed to advancing the project and ensuring clarity for its stakeholders.
- https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/etm-strengthens-advisory-board-with-danish-appointments-for-greenland-project – Energy Transition Minerals Ltd has appointed former Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jeppe Kofod, and former Danish Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Friis Arne Petersen, to its newly established Advisory Board. This move is part of ETM’s strategy to enhance its mineral development activities in Greenland, particularly the Kvanefjeld Rare Earths Project, which is one of the largest undeveloped rare earths projects globally. The appointments are expected to strengthen ETM’s engagement with Greenlandic and Danish stakeholders, providing strategic advice on policy and international cooperation. These appointments underscore ETM’s commitment to a development strategy that is transparent, responsible, and locally anchored, aligning with both international standards and local expectations, and are seen as a step towards realizing the project’s potential to contribute to Greenland’s economic independence and the global green transition.
- https://etransmin.com/kvanefjeld-project/ – Kvanefjeld is a large-scale rare earth project with the potential to become the most significant western world producer of critical rare earths. Energy Transition Minerals Ltd has filed a Statement of Claim with an arbitral tribunal seated in Copenhagen. The Claim pertains to its dispute with the Governments of Greenland and Denmark regarding the Company’s rights under its current exploration licence for the Kvanefjeld project. The full Statement of Claim will be provided on request to enquiries address to moc.n1765886509imsna1765886509rte@n1765886509oitar1765886509tibra1765886509. The Summary of Dispute and Statement of Claim are available here:
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative was published on 29 December 2025. A similar announcement was made on 11 October 2024 regarding leadership changes to strengthen local engagement for the Kvanefjeld project. ([hotcopper.com.au](https://hotcopper.com.au/data/announcements/ASX/6A1230578_ETM.pdf?utm_source=openai)) The earlier version did not mention the appointment of US advisers or the Nasdaq listing strategy. The current report includes updated information, justifying a higher freshness score. No evidence of recycled content or discrepancies found. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from ETM Managing Director Daniel Mamadou and the company’s statements are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material. No variations in quote wording found. No online matches found for these quotes, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Stockhead, an Australian financial news outlet. While not as widely known as major international media, Stockhead is a reputable source within the Australian financial community. The report is based on a press release from Energy Transition Minerals Ltd, a publicly listed company, which adds credibility. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information identified.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about ETM’s appointment of US advisers and the potential Nasdaq listing align with the company’s strategic goals and recent activities. The Kvanefjeld project is a significant rare earths project in Greenland, and the move to US capital markets is plausible. No supporting detail from other reputable outlets found, but the information is consistent with ETM’s known objectives. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. No language or tone inconsistencies noted. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is formal and consistent with corporate communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents new information about Energy Transition Minerals Ltd’s strategic move to appoint US advisers and consider a Nasdaq listing, aligning with the company’s objectives. The content is fresh, with no evidence of recycled material or discrepancies. The quotes are unique and the source is reputable within its context. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details. No significant credibility risks identified.