Impact of U.S. Acquisition of Greenland on Rare Earth Mining Viability
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 12 2026
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Should l Buy SZZL?
Source: CNBC
- Investor Interest: CEO Tony Sage of Critical Metals Corp noted that the company's stock has surged 116% since early 2026, reflecting heightened investor interest in the potential impact of U.S. acquisition of Greenland on rare earth mining opportunities.
- Project Development: The company is in the process of building a plant in Greenland to extract heavy rare earth elements, which are crucial for advanced technologies such as electric vehicles and AI data centers, indicating a significant future market demand.
- Geopolitical Implications: As the U.S. government actively discusses the potential acquisition of Greenland, Amaroq Mining is also engaging with U.S. government bodies about investment opportunities, highlighting the increasing attention from tech investors amid geopolitical tensions.
- Market Challenges: Despite rising interest in Greenland's rare earth mining, industry experts caution that the resources are still in the exploration stage and are unlikely to materially reduce Western dependence on China in the next decade, reflecting a cautious market outlook.
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About SZZL
Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II is a blank check company. The Company is formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. It may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location anywhere in the world. The Company intends to focus on the areas and sectors of business, including, without limitation, the industries of restaurant, hospitality, food and beverage, retail, consumer, food and food related technology, real estate industries such as proptech, mining, professional sports teams, airlines and technology, including sectors that service or are connected to these industries in the United States and other developed countries.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Merger Agreement Signed: Trasteel Holding S.A. has signed a definitive business combination agreement with Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II, with the combined entity expected to list on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'TSTL', providing Trasteel with broader access to capital markets.
- Transaction Valuation: The transaction is based on a pre-money equity value of $800 million, with an implied pro forma enterprise value of approximately $1.3 billion post-merger, reflecting Trasteel's strong market position and growth potential in the steel trading and processing sector.
- Shareholder Equity Roll: Existing Trasteel shareholders will roll 100% of their equity into the combined company, a strategy that not only ensures continued shareholder involvement but also strengthens the capital base of the merged entity, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Completion Timeline: The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to approval from shareholders of both Trasteel and Sizzle II, indicating confidence in future growth and the ability to capitalize on market opportunities.
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- Merger Agreement Signed: Trasteel Holding S.A. has signed a definitive business combination agreement with Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II, with the combined entity expected to list on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'TSTL', providing Trasteel with broader access to capital markets.
- Transaction Valuation: The transaction is based on a pre-money equity value of $800 million, with a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $1.3 billion post-merger, reflecting Trasteel's strong market position and growth potential in the steel trading and processing sector.
- Shareholder Equity Arrangement: Existing Trasteel shareholders will roll 100% of their equity into the new public company, ensuring continued shareholder participation and strengthening the capital base of the merged entity to support future expansion plans.
- Expected Completion Timeline: The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of 2026, subject to approval from shareholders of both Trasteel and Sizzle II, providing a clear timeline for strategic implementation and enhancing market confidence in the company's future growth.
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- Strategic Minerals Reserve: President Trump announced the establishment of a critical minerals reserve with an initial funding of $12 billion, aimed at reducing reliance on China for rare earths and enhancing national resource security.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the announcement, U.S.-listed rare earth mining companies surged in premarket trading, with Critical Metals up 6.3% and USA Rare Earth up 4.7%, indicating strong market optimism regarding the initiative.
- Funding Structure: The plan will pool $1.67 billion in private capital with a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, creating a first-of-its-kind strategic minerals reserve to support resource development in the U.S. private sector.
- Global Rare Earth Landscape: China dominates the critical minerals supply chain, accounting for nearly 60% of global rare earth mining and over 90% of magnet manufacturing, highlighting the urgency and strategic significance of the U.S. reserve initiative.
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- Strategic Stockpile Initiative: President Trump announced the launch of Project Vault, a strategic mineral stockpile plan designed to reduce U.S. dependence on China for critical materials, combining $1.67 billion in private capital with a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, particularly for electric vehicles and defense systems.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the announcement, shares of U.S.-listed rare earth mining companies surged, with MP Materials rising 4% in early trading, while USA Rare Earth and Critical Metals jumped 7% and 8%, respectively, reflecting investor optimism about increased domestic demand and government-backed financing.
- Funding Opportunities: USA Rare Earth has engaged in discussions with Howard Lutnick to pitch its domestic mining and magnet assets to the federal government, potentially leading to a proposed deal that could secure approximately $1.6 billion in funding, contingent on certain conditions, and may include a U.S. government equity stake.
- Defense Department Collaboration: The Department of Defense struck a landmark agreement with MP Materials last summer, which included an equity stake, price floor, and a long-term commitment to purchase specific amounts of rare earth minerals and magnets, indicating a more direct role for Washington in the sector.
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- Clear Strategic Goals: Trump stated in Davos that his push for the Greenland mineral rights deal aims to secure priority access to rare earth resources for the U.S. and NATO allies, thereby blocking Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic, highlighting America's strategic positioning in the global rare earth supply chain.
- Significant Rare Earth Reserves: Greenland holds the eighth-largest rare earth reserves globally, approximately 1.5 million tons, and if Trump's plan succeeds, it will significantly enhance U.S. self-sufficiency in rare earths, reducing dependence on China and bolstering national security.
- Notable Economic Challenges: While Trump emphasizes security, analysts point out that the high costs of mining in Greenland due to its remote location and infrastructure gaps may slow development, impacting the realization of long-term strategic goals.
- Huge Investment Potential: Critical Metals has received a letter of interest for a $120 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank for its Tanbreez project in Greenland, which is expected to drive development and further enhance U.S. competitiveness in the rare earth market.
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- Stock Surge: In 2026, shares of seven mining companies with projects in Greenland have surged between single digits and over 100%, with Critical Metals Corp leading at a 158% increase, reflecting strong investor interest in the region's resources.
- Focus on Rare Earths: As climate change melts ice, making rare earth and critical mineral resources in Greenland more accessible, Trump's emphasis on national security aligns with former national security advisor's view that U.S. interest centers on critical minerals.
- Investor Confidence: Despite no rare earth mining occurring yet, investor optimism remains high, with Eclipse Metals and Energy Transition Minerals seeing over 300% and 60% gains respectively over the past year, indicating a bullish sentiment towards mining stocks.
- Project Development Progress: Amaroq has reported commercial levels of germanium and gallium in its Greenland project, crucial for advanced AI chips, while U.S. government bodies are exploring investment opportunities in its projects, highlighting the strategic importance of these resources.
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