ABSTRACT
In Greenland mining started as early as the 1850s. Environmental protection in connection with these operations was not an issue dealt with until the early 1970s, when the largest mine in Greenland was to start operating. Historically three major mines have been in production, a cryolite mine in South Greenland, a lead-zinc mine in East Greenland, and a lead-zinc mine in West Greenland. These mines all have created heavy metal pollution. The most severe of these have been pollution with lead and zinc, when tailings, waste rock or concentrate have got into contact with sea water. In particular the simultaneous action of waves, tidal water and air seems to enhance dissolution of lead and zinc. In contrast, waste rock and tailings deposited on deep water do not cause lead to be released, whereas this is the case for zinc. In one case dust from an ore crusher and from a conveyor belt carrying metal concentrates was also an important source, causing metals to be dispersed widely through the atmosphere. Results from environmental monitoring studies and monitoring in water, sediments and biota at the three mines are
