The mine located at Marmorilik in West Greenland was an underground operation active from 1973 to 1990. Environmental studies were initiated in 1972 before mine start, and NERI has continued environmental monitoring since then, also after mine closure.

The operation resulted in serious lead and zinc pollution of a large nearby fjord system, but levels declined significantly while the mine was operating and in particular after mine closure. Elevated levels of lead and zinc were found in seawater, sediments, intertidal and subtidal biota (seaweed, mussels and fish) and deepwater biota (fish and invertebrates).

Three major pollution sources of the operation were identified: tailings, waste rock and dust, and the release of metals from all three sources was significantly reduced while the mine was operating. This was a result of a close cooperation between the mining company, the regulating government agency and NERI.

A mine closure plan was also developed by these parties and a large cleanup operation of polluted sites, including removal of a large waste rock dump, was conducted. As a result of the project activity the pollution was reduced to a level acceptable to the authorities. An important expertise on marine tailings disposal was acquired during the project period, including the processes governing the release and transport of heavy metals from tailings to the ocean.