Dateline: Greenland's riches uncovered

While most of the world worries about the effects of global warming, it’s actually being given a cautious welcome by some in Greenland, which could be on the cusp of a mining boom.

Nowhere is the big melt more evident than at the Ilulissat Icefjord, home to the world’s largest glacier. (Scott Hillier for Dateline)

The ice is melting more quickly than before, revealing an untapped landscape of opportunity for mining companies.

What they want most is rare earth, a composite of elements highly sought after for smart phones and computers and currently predominantly supplied by China.

Dateline reports on the conundrum now facing this sparsely inhabited island, which still relies on mother country Denmark for half its annual budget.

How can the wealth be exploited to improve its economy without over-exploiting the beautiful landscapes and pristine waters?

(Story, narrated by Victoria Strobl for Dateline)