Indeed – cryolite is probably not part of, what one would consider common knowledge … and – I have to admit, before the landing in Ivittuut this morning I did not really know anything about cryolite either …

Cryolite – in a nutshell (and I don’t even dare going into more detail – feel free to check wikipedia or to ask a trustworthy geologist) – is a rate mineral (Na₃AlF₆), which was used as catalyst in the aluminum refining industry. The biggest known deposit of cryolite was at what later became the mine of Ivittuut; mining here began in the second half of the 19th century – and came to its height during world war 2 with its ever-growing demand for aluminum. In the late 1980s the deposits were pretty much depleted, also it was now possible to synthesize cryolite, hence the mine was eventually closed and abandoned in 1987 – – leaving the old structures and a small lake (i.e. the water-filled hole from the open pit mine) behind.

There was loads here to explore – from the old mining buildings to the small lake to the surrounding tundra with plenty of plant life. Excavated rock material made the area interesting for those with an interest into geology (with sparkling and colorful stones – often with pockets of white cryonite – lying around the whole area).

I made my turn first through the old miners’ village to the lake and then into the tundra back country. Here two groups of musk oxen had been spotted – and we ended up watching them from a distance.

All in all this turned out a very multi-sided landing … a bit of industrial history, a bit of nature all topped off by some very, very old rocks.