There has been some discussion and concerns shared about where the lead and zinc is coming from that is causing pollution for up to 3-4 kilometers around Ivituut mine. Its so high mussels there apparently are unfit for human consumption according to sampling reports for possibly more than 40 years since the operation was closed down. https://dce2.au.dk/pub/SR364.pdf
So what exactly has been found to be the origin. The report definitely states it is being contributed by the pit and these would be unbiased professionals in my mind.
If I understand it right this has been disputed however by the previous owner of the mine. Who stated 1) "none of the original lead remains" (in the pit) 2) :"the actual water in the pit has very little lead as there is very little lead there. so no lead" "but the lead soon was largely exhausted and the value of the cryolite was realized.none of the original lead remains except for the waste of that which was dumped into the ocean or used later in the sea wall. thus the lead / zinc was mostly dumped in the 1800 .the lead pollution has dropped away since then and will continue to fall away with time the actual water in the pit has very little lead as there is very little lead there. so no lead" Post #: 53944969
But why did the authorities say it is still coming from the pit water in the above report then? I looked further at the recent sampling completed by the company. Better to be safe then sorry. This is what I found....
So sampling was done to find significant levels of lead and zinc. Significant amounts of lead and zinc are found to be present in quantities high enough for potential commercialization
Based on these facts I am not convinced of anything else then their truth.
