Mining for the mineral cryolite took place in Ivittuut at Arsuk Fjord from 1854 to 1987. The ore was broken in an open quarry, then graded and shipped. Cryolite was particularly applied in the manufacturing of aluminium. In 1982, environmental studies showed that Arsuk Fjord was contaminated with lead and zinc. The dominant source of contamination is discarded, non-pure cryolite, which through many years has been used for landfill along the coast in Ivittuut. This material contains residues of lead and zinc minerals, and therefore lead and zinc is released to the fjord when the tide rises to the level of the landfilled cryolite waste at the coastline twice in the course of 24 hours.  

Environmental studies showed that bladder wrack and common mussels had an increased content of lead and zinc, and 32 km coastline was impacted in Arsuk Fjord, whereas fish and shrimp from the fjord did not show any elevated levels of heavy metals.

We have continued to monitor the environment in the area. The latest study in 2013 showed that pollution has decreased significantly and the affected coastline was 5 km.