Environmental studies in connection with mining activity in Greenland

Abstract

The Geological Survey of Greenland monitors the environment around mining sites in Greenland. At the lead-zinc mine Black Angel at Marmorilik, tailings are disposed directly into the sea and this resuIts in considerable dissolution of zinc, cadmium and especially lead. At Ivigtut, where cryolite was formerly mined, dispersion of lead into the marine environment has been observed, and at the depleted lead-zinc mine at Mestersvig severe metal dispersion from a land-based tailing deposit has been demonstrated.