The Inuit name for Sondre Stromfjord
is Kangerlussuaq, which translate
as "the long fjord." Located
on Greenland's southwest coast, this
100 mile fjord cuts a straight path
into the interior of Greenland. It
is one of the logest fjords in the
world, and lies frames by dramatic,
glacial-carved mountains, 40 miles
(60 km) north of the Arctic Circle.
The dry, low arctic area has diverse
habitats such as heaths, salt lakes,
and moutain tundra, which are home
ti a rich mix of wildlife, including
caribou, musk oxen, and arctic fox.
[2]
During the period from 1986 to early
1990s, mining companies have explored
the Skærgården area in
the Kangerlussuaq Fjord for gold,
palladium, platinum and ilmenite (titanium
dioxide). The fjord is situated halfway
between Ammassalik and Ittoqqortoormiit,
Scoresbysund, in East Greenland. The
exploration was performed by Platinova
Resources Ltd. and Corona Corporation,
and later by Platinova A/S and RTZ
Mining and Exploration Ltd. In 1999,
Platinova A/S relinquished its exploration
licence.
The mining companies drilled in total
27 holes of approximately 16,600 m.
The drilling confirmed two mineralised
layers, which covered about 15 km2.
This area represented c. 60% of the
so-called Skærgård intrusion.
Based on the drilling results the
estimated resource was c. 71 million
tons grading approximately 2.5 g per
tons.[3]
By far the most important animals
hunted are ringed seal, narwhal and
polar bear. About 1000 to 2000 ringed
seals, 20 to 30 narwhals and 25 to
35 polar bears are caught in a single
season. These three species are described
in detail in the paper. Bearded seal,
hooded seal and harp seal are caught
in numbers of 50 to 200 per season
and fish and birds are caught only
on a small scale. Information regarding
the catch and distribution of marine
mammals through the year is listed
by the month.
[4]
Departure Frobisher
Bay,( Iqaluit) in Labrador to Sondre
Strom Fjord, Greenland.
