Exploration and Mining in Greenland, Fact sheet no. 5, 2003 - Geus
Exploration and Mining in Greenland, Fact sheet no. 5, 2003 - Geus
Exploration and Mining in Greenland, Fact sheet no. 5, 2003 - Geus
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EXPLORATION AND MINING IN GREENLAND<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong> M<strong>in</strong>eral Resources<br />
<strong>Fact</strong> Sheet No. 5<br />
Moriusaq<br />
Ti<br />
■ ■<br />
Melville Bugt<br />
Fe<br />
Hammer Dal<br />
Fe, Pt<br />
Akuliaruseq<br />
Graphite<br />
Isortuarsuk<br />
Garnet<br />
Tasersuatsiaq<br />
Ni, Pt<br />
Kangaamiut<br />
Oliv<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Qaqqaarsuk<br />
Nb, REE, P<br />
Majuagaa<br />
Diamond<br />
Tasiusarsuaq<br />
Oliv<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Storø<br />
Au<br />
Wash<strong>in</strong>gton L<strong>and</strong><br />
Zn, Pb, Ag<br />
Langø<br />
Graphite<br />
Qullissat<br />
Coal<br />
Nuussuaq<br />
Coal<br />
Fiskenæsset<br />
Cr, Pt<br />
■ ■<br />
Inglefield L<strong>and</strong><br />
Fe<br />
▲ ▲ ▲<br />
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Maarmorilik<br />
Zn, Pb, Ag<br />
Saqqaq<br />
Au<br />
Itilliarsuk<br />
Au, Fe<br />
Eqi<br />
Au<br />
Sarfartoq<br />
Nb, Ta<br />
Kangerlussuaq<br />
Diamond<br />
Isukasia<br />
Fe<br />
Isua<br />
Au<br />
Ivisaartoq<br />
W<br />
S<strong>in</strong>arsuk<br />
V, Ti<br />
Taartoq<br />
Au<br />
Motzfeldt Sø<br />
Ta, Nb<br />
Ivittuut<br />
Cryolite<br />
Kangerluluk<br />
Grønnedal-Ika<br />
Au<br />
Fe<br />
Josva M<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Illorsuit<br />
Ilímaussaq<br />
Cu<br />
U<br />
U, Nb, Zr, Be, REE<br />
Niaqornaarsuk<br />
Amitsoq<br />
Nalunaq<br />
Au<br />
Graphite<br />
Au<br />
Map of k<strong>no</strong>wn m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />
occurrences <strong>in</strong> Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Geology <strong>and</strong> selected m<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences<br />
Navarana Fjord<br />
Zn, Barite<br />
Naternaq<br />
Cu, Zn<br />
GREENLAND<br />
INLAND ICE<br />
Ammassalik<br />
Ni, Cu, Pt<br />
Flammefjeld<br />
Mo<br />
Citronen Fjord<br />
Zn, Pb<br />
Skærgaard<br />
Au, Pd<br />
Kap Edvard Holm<br />
Au, Pt<br />
500 km<br />
Ymer Ø<br />
Sb, W, Au<br />
The map of m<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences is your shortcut to<br />
get acqua<strong>in</strong>ted with some of the m<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences<br />
<strong>in</strong> Greenl<strong>and</strong>. The presentation comb<strong>in</strong>es<br />
the geological map with k<strong>no</strong>wledge of m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />
prospects <strong>and</strong> deposits gathered through more<br />
than 150 years.<br />
Geological observations <strong>in</strong> Greenl<strong>and</strong> began with<br />
the first scientific expeditions <strong>in</strong> the early 1800s.<br />
Systematic geological mapp<strong>in</strong>g commenced <strong>in</strong> East<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong> with Dr. Lauge Koch's expeditions<br />
1926–58. In West Greenl<strong>and</strong> the systematic mapp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
was conducted by the Geological Survey of<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong> (<strong>no</strong>w GEUS) <strong>in</strong> 1946. This survey was<br />
<strong>in</strong>itiated <strong>in</strong> West Greenl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> has subsequently<br />
been extended to all parts of Greenl<strong>and</strong>. Coverage<br />
is <strong>no</strong>t yet complete.<br />
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Claver<strong>in</strong>g Ø<br />
Fe<br />
Blyklippen<br />
Pb, Zn<br />
Malmbjerg<br />
Mo, W<br />
Karstryggen<br />
Celestite<br />
Milne L<strong>and</strong><br />
Zr, REE, Ti<br />
Palaeogene basalts<br />
Cretaceous–Palaeogene sediments, Nuussuaq Bas<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
West Greenl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Kangerlussuaq Bas<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> East Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Carboniferous–Palaeogene sediments,<br />
W<strong>and</strong>el Sea Bas<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> eastern North Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Carboniferous–Cretaceous sediments, North-East Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Carboniferous–Cretaceous sediments,<br />
Jameson L<strong>and</strong> Bas<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> East Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Devonian Bas<strong>in</strong> of North-East Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Shelf<br />
Lower Palaeozoic sediments, North Greenl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
Frankl<strong>in</strong>ian Bas<strong>in</strong><br />
Trough<br />
Meso- to Neoproterozoic sediments <strong>and</strong> volcanic rocks<br />
Caledonian orogenic belt<br />
Palaeoproterozoic orogenic belts<br />
Archaean craton<br />
Intrusive complexes: Palaeogene <strong>in</strong> East Greenl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
Mesoproterozoic <strong>in</strong> South Greenl<strong>and</strong> (Gardar Prov<strong>in</strong>ce)<br />
Fault, thrust<br />
The ma<strong>in</strong> geological divisions on the geological<br />
map cover periods from Archaean to<br />
Palaeogene <strong>and</strong> are summarised <strong>in</strong> the map<br />
legend.<br />
Chro<strong>no</strong>logy of Greenl<strong>and</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />
occurences<br />
Major events shown on the map <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
1845: Collect<strong>in</strong>g of graphite at Langø (NWG)<br />
1852: Discovery <strong>and</strong> m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of copper at Josva m<strong>in</strong>e (SG)<br />
1852: <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong> Frederik VII m<strong>in</strong>e (SG)<br />
1854: <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> of lead <strong>in</strong> Ivittuut m<strong>in</strong>e (SG)<br />
1856: <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> of cryolite began <strong>in</strong> Ivittuut m<strong>in</strong>e (SG)<br />
1893: Discovery of zirconium <strong>in</strong> Kr<strong>in</strong>glerne (SG)<br />
1903: Discovery of graphite at Akuliaruseq (WG)<br />
1905: Reopen<strong>in</strong>g of the Josva copper m<strong>in</strong>e (SG)<br />
1915: Open<strong>in</strong>g of graphite m<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> Amitsoq (SG)<br />
1933: <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> of pyrite <strong>in</strong> Claver<strong>in</strong>g Isl<strong>and</strong> (EG)<br />
1936: Quarry<strong>in</strong>g of marble <strong>in</strong> Maarmorilik (WG)<br />
1951: Discovery of iron at Grønnedal-Ika (SG)<br />
1954: Discovery of molybdenum <strong>in</strong> Malmbjerg (EG)<br />
1955: Discovery of uranium <strong>in</strong> Kvanefjeld (SG)<br />
1956: <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong>itiated of lead/z<strong>in</strong>c near Mestersvig (EG)<br />
1964: Discovery of chromium <strong>in</strong> Qeqertarsuatsiaat (WG)<br />
1965: Discovery of the iron deposit at Isua (WG)<br />
1968: Discovery of REE <strong>and</strong> phosphorous at Qaqqarsuk (WG)<br />
1972: Discovery of gold <strong>in</strong> Taartoq (SG)<br />
1973: <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> began of lead/z<strong>in</strong>c at Black Angel M<strong>in</strong>e (WG)<br />
1973: Discovery of placer diamonds <strong>in</strong> Sarfartoq (WG)<br />
1977: Discovery of niobium <strong>in</strong> Sarfartoq (WG)<br />
1979: Test m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of uranium <strong>in</strong> Kvanefjeld (SG)<br />
1979: Discovery of tungsten <strong>and</strong> antimony at Ymer Isl<strong>and</strong> (EG)<br />
1980: Discovery of tantanlum at Motzfeldt Lake (SG)<br />
1982: Discovery of tungsten <strong>and</strong> gold <strong>in</strong> Nuuk Fjord (WG)<br />
1984: Discovery of z<strong>in</strong>c/barium <strong>in</strong> Navarana fjord (NG)<br />
1985: Discovery of gold <strong>in</strong> Disko Bay area (WG)<br />
1986: Discovery of gold <strong>and</strong> PGE's <strong>in</strong> Skaergaard (EG)<br />
1992: Discovery of primary gold at Nalunaq (SG)<br />
1993: Discovery of z<strong>in</strong>c at Citronen Fjord (NG)<br />
1995: F<strong>in</strong>d of <strong>in</strong>-situ diamonds near Maniitsoq (WG)<br />
1995: Small-scale production of oliv<strong>in</strong>e at Evighedsfjord (WG)<br />
1996: Discovery of gold at Kangerluluk (SEG)<br />
<strong>2003</strong>: Establish<strong>in</strong>g of gold m<strong>in</strong>e at Nalunaq (SG)<br />
History of Greenl<strong>and</strong> eco<strong>no</strong>mic geology<br />
The history of Greenl<strong>and</strong> eco<strong>no</strong>mic geology dates back<br />
to the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of colonial European <strong>in</strong>fluence.<br />
Follow<strong>in</strong>g the colonisation of Greenl<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> the mid-<br />
1700s the colonists (by order of the Danish K<strong>in</strong>g) were<br />
required to look for useful m<strong>in</strong>erals. However, systematic<br />
exploitation <strong>and</strong> m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g activity was <strong>no</strong>t <strong>in</strong>itiated<br />
until mid-1800. The early <strong>in</strong>dustrial activity <strong>in</strong> Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
was concentrated on the sparsely <strong>in</strong>habited west coast.<br />
The first traditional m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g (<strong>no</strong>n-fuel commodities) was<br />
based on local k<strong>no</strong>wledge of commodities proved to be<br />
present <strong>in</strong> sufficient amounts, but soon led to wider<br />
exploration <strong>and</strong> systematic prospect<strong>in</strong>g as geological<br />
k<strong>no</strong>wledge accumulated. At the start of the Millennium<br />
the activity covers most parts of Greenl<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
exploration is cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g.
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Greenl<strong>and</strong> M<strong>in</strong>eral Resources<br />
Lead-z<strong>in</strong>c prospects <strong>in</strong> Palaeozoic bas<strong>in</strong>s<br />
Wash<strong>in</strong>gton L<strong>and</strong><br />
Zn, Pb, Ag<br />
■ ■<br />
Navarana Fjord<br />
Zn, Barite<br />
Magmatic deposits<br />
<strong>in</strong> Palaeogene<br />
<strong>in</strong>trusions<br />
■ ■<br />
Prospects <strong>in</strong><br />
Caledonian<br />
<strong>and</strong> younger<br />
terranes<br />
Flammefjeld<br />
Mo<br />
Maarmorilik<br />
Zn, Pb, Ag<br />
Saqqaq<br />
Au<br />
Itilliarsuk<br />
Au, Fe<br />
Eqi<br />
Au<br />
■ ■<br />
Citronen Fjord<br />
Zn, Pb<br />
Claver<strong>in</strong>g Ø<br />
Fe<br />
Ymer Ø<br />
Sb, W, Au<br />
Blyklippen<br />
Pb, Zn<br />
Malmbjerg<br />
Mo, W<br />
Karstryggen<br />
Celestite<br />
Milne L<strong>and</strong><br />
Zr, REE, Ti<br />
Skærgaard<br />
Au, Pd<br />
Kap Edvard Holm<br />
Au, Pt<br />
Gold <strong>and</strong> base metals<br />
<strong>in</strong> Palaeoproterozoic<br />
sett<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
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The map with comb<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong>formation about geology<br />
<strong>and</strong> k<strong>no</strong>wn m<strong>in</strong>eral resources may, together<br />
with similar maps display<strong>in</strong>g exploration geochemistry<br />
<strong>and</strong> various geophysical data, be of <strong>in</strong>valuable<br />
help to the explorationists.<br />
Map details of selected regions<br />
As examples of specialised <strong>in</strong>formation derived<br />
from the map, a series of enlarged sections are<br />
presented here under the themes:<br />
• M<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences <strong>in</strong> Archaean cratons<br />
• Gold <strong>and</strong> base metals <strong>in</strong> Palaeoproterozoic sett<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
• M<strong>in</strong>eral commodities of the Mesoproterozoic<br />
<strong>in</strong> South Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
• Prospects <strong>in</strong> Caledonian <strong>and</strong> younger terranes<br />
• Lead-z<strong>in</strong>c prospects <strong>in</strong> Palaeozoic bas<strong>in</strong>s<br />
• Magmatic deposits <strong>in</strong> Palaeogene <strong>in</strong>trusions<br />
• Industrial m<strong>in</strong>erals <strong>in</strong> the West Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
basement<br />
Conclud<strong>in</strong>g remarks<br />
Comb<strong>in</strong>ation of this <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong> one map<br />
makes it apparent where to look for specific m<strong>in</strong>erals,<br />
both as s<strong>in</strong>gle commodities, <strong>in</strong> selected geological<br />
environments or among k<strong>no</strong>wn m<strong>in</strong>eralisation<br />
types.<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong> Resources A/S<br />
V<strong>and</strong>søvej 5<br />
P.O. Box 821<br />
DK-3900 Nuuk<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Tel: (+299) 32 79 13<br />
Fax.: (+299) 32 79 14<br />
E-mail: gras@greennet.gl<br />
Internet: www.resources.gl<br />
Bureau of M<strong>in</strong>erals <strong>and</strong> Petroleum<br />
(BMP)<br />
Government of Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
P.O. Box 930<br />
DK-3900 Nuuk<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Tel: (+299) 34 68 00<br />
Fax.: (+299) 32 43 02<br />
E-mail: bmp@gh.gl<br />
Internet: www.bmp.gl<br />
Akuliaruseq<br />
Graphite<br />
Isortuarsuk<br />
Garnet<br />
Tasersuatsiaq<br />
Ni, Pt<br />
Kangaamiut<br />
Oliv<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Qaqqaarsuk<br />
Nb, REE, P<br />
Majuagaa<br />
Diamond<br />
Tasiusarsuaq<br />
Oliv<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Garnet<br />
Tasersuatsiaq<br />
Ni, Pt<br />
Kangaamiut<br />
Oliv<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Qaqqaarsuk<br />
Nb, REE, P<br />
Majuagaa<br />
Diamond<br />
Tasiusarsuaq<br />
Oliv<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Storø<br />
Au<br />
Fiskenæsset<br />
Cr, Pt<br />
Taartoq<br />
Au<br />
▲ ▲<br />
Ivittuut<br />
Cryolite<br />
Industrial m<strong>in</strong>erals <strong>in</strong> the<br />
West Greenl<strong>and</strong> basement<br />
▲ ▲ ▲<br />
Taartoq<br />
Au<br />
Ivittuut<br />
Cryolite<br />
Grønnedal-Ika<br />
Fe<br />
Josva M<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Cu<br />
Sarfartoq<br />
Nb, Ta<br />
Kangerlussuaq<br />
Diamond<br />
Isukasia<br />
Fe<br />
Isua<br />
Au<br />
Ivisaartoq<br />
W<br />
S<strong>in</strong>arsuk<br />
V, Ti<br />
Grønnedal- Ika<br />
Fe<br />
Motzfeldt Sø<br />
Ta, Nb<br />
Ilímaussaq<br />
U, Nb, Zr, Be, REE<br />
M<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences<br />
<strong>in</strong> Archaean cratons<br />
Amitsoq<br />
Graphite<br />
Nalunaq<br />
Au<br />
M<strong>in</strong>eral commodities of the<br />
Mesoproterozoic <strong>in</strong> South<br />
Greenl<strong>and</strong><br />
Motzfeldt Sø<br />
Ta, Nb<br />
Kangerluluk<br />
Au<br />
Illorsuit<br />
U<br />
Niaqornaarsuk<br />
Au<br />
The map of selected m<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences is <strong>in</strong>corporated<br />
<strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>formation material <strong>and</strong> is available from the<br />
GEUS homepage.<br />
Key references<br />
Harpøth, O., Pedersen, J.L., Schønw<strong>and</strong>t, H.K. & Thomassen,<br />
B. 1986: The m<strong>in</strong>eral occurrences of central East Greenl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Meddelelser om Grønl<strong>and</strong>, Geoscience 17, 139 pp.<br />
Henriksen, N., Higg<strong>in</strong>s, A.K., Kalsbeek, F. & Pulvertaft, T.C.R.<br />
2000: Greenl<strong>and</strong> from Archaean to Quaternary. Descriptive<br />
text to the Geological map of Greenl<strong>and</strong>, 1:2 500 000.<br />
Geology of Greenl<strong>and</strong> Survey Bullet<strong>in</strong> 185, 93 pp.<br />
Nielsen, T.F.D. 2002: Palaeogene <strong>in</strong>trusions <strong>and</strong> magmatic complexes<br />
<strong>in</strong> East Greenl<strong>and</strong>, 66˚ to 75˚N, Danmarks og Grønl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2002/113, 249 pp.<br />
Rasmussen, T.M., Thorn<strong>in</strong>g, L., Stemp, R.W., Jørgensen, M.S.<br />
& Schjøth, F.: AEM Greenl<strong>and</strong> 1994-1998 - summary report.<br />
Copenhagen: Danmarks og Grønl<strong>and</strong>s Geologiske<br />
Undersøgelse Rapport 2001/58, 46 pp. + 1 CD-ROM.<br />
Steenfelt, A. 2001: Geochemical atlas of Greenl<strong>and</strong> – West<br />
<strong>and</strong> South Greenl<strong>and</strong>, Danmarks og Grønl<strong>and</strong>s Geologiske<br />
Undersøgelse Rapport 2001/46, 40 pp.<br />
Steenfelt, A., Nielsen, T.F.D. & Stendal, H. 2000: M<strong>in</strong>eral ressource<br />
potential of South Greenl<strong>and</strong>: review of new digital data<br />
sets, Danmarks og Grønl<strong>and</strong>s Geologiske Undersøgelse<br />
Rapport 2000/50, 47 pp.<br />
Stendal,H. (ed.) 2000: <strong>Exploration</strong> <strong>in</strong> Greenl<strong>and</strong>: discoveries of<br />
the 1990s. Transactions of the Institution of <strong>M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Metallurgy, section B, Applied earth science 109, 66 pp.<br />
Stendal,H. (ed.) <strong>2003</strong>: Precambrian supracrustal rocks <strong>and</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eral<br />
occurences, Northeast Disko Bugt, Danmarks og Grønl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport <strong>2003</strong>/24, 57 pp.<br />
Geological Survey of Denmark<br />
<strong>and</strong> Greenl<strong>and</strong> (GEUS)<br />
Øster Voldgade 10<br />
DK-1350 Copenhagen K<br />
Denmark<br />
Tel: (+45) 38 14 20 00<br />
Fax.: (+45) 38 14 20 50<br />
E-mail: geus@geus.dk<br />
Internet: www.geus.dk<br />
Author: K.Secher<br />
Editor: K.Secher<br />
Layout: GEUS, Grafisk<br />
© GEUS <strong>2003</strong>
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