Søndergaard, J. & Asmund. G. 2011: Environmental monitoring at the Seqi olivine mine 2010. National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University. 36 pp. - NERI Technical Report No 813.
The Swedish mining company Minelco A/S (formerly named Seqi Olivine A/S) was in 2005 granted permission to exploit the industry-mineral olivine at Seqi in Niaqunngunaq (Fiskefjord) in West Greenland. In late 2005, the first ship was loaded with olivine from the mine at Seqi. In 2009, the mining was stopped due to economy reasons and the mine site is currently (in 2010) closing down.
Prior to mining, baseline studies were performed in 2004 and 2005 to characterize the natural state and variability of the environment at Seqi. These studies included measurements of element concentrations in biota such as lichens, seaweed, blue mussels and fish as well as in sea and lake water. No measureable natural elevation of elements was found in biota or in the water near the mining area. After the mining activity started, environmental studies have been conducted at Seqi every year to monitor the impact from mining during and after the mining operation. In this report, the results from the sampling campaign in 2010, which includes lichens, seaweed, blue mussels and shorthorn sculpins, are presented and discussed.
In lichens, elevated concentrations of some elements, particularly chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni), were measured in 2010. This also includes lichens transplanted into the Seqi monitoring area from an unpolluted reference site the previous year. Using the method of lichen transplantation, it was possible to determine the dust deposition that had occurred during the past year only. In 2010, elevated concentrations were observed in transplanted lichens in a distance of c. 5 km from the mine site, thus showing that there is still an on-going deposition of contaminated dust in the area that can be related to the past mining operation. However, the results also show that the levels of Cr and Ni in 2010 were generally lower than in 2009, indicating that the spreading of dust has decreased from 2008 to 2010 as a result of the reduced activity.
In blue mussels and seaweed, the concentrations of Cr and Ni near the mine site had decreased from 2008/2009 to 2010 and were no longer significantly above Cr and Ni concentrations measured prior to mining. This indicates a decrease in contamination of the marine environment at Seqi from 2008 to 2010. No contamination was observed in fish caught in the fjord around Seqi (shorthorn sculpin).
Based on the above-mentioned results, it is concluded that spreading of metal-contaminated dust is still occurring at Seqi but has decreased from 2008 to 2010. The impact of the mine on the marine environment has decreased and can be regarded as insignificant for the Niaquungunaq fjord system.
Full report in PDF-format (1,96) MB
