A Mineral That Changed the World
Ivittuut, Greenland, once held the world’s largest reserve of cryolite, a rare mineral critical for aluminum production. Discovered by the Inuits and mined since 1854, its peak came during World War II when cryolite was vital for Allied aircraft manufacturing. In 1942, the mine shipped 86,000 tons to the U.S. and Canada.
The War’s Hidden Battlefield
After Denmark fell to Nazi Germany in 1940, Ivittuut became a strategic site. U.S. forces guarded the mine with 500 soldiers, artillery, and naval bases to prevent German access to cryolite. The Nazis, had they captured Ivittuut, could have compromised Allied airpower. To maintain secrecy, no photographs or letters from the site were allowed.
Life in Ivittuut
During the war, miners came from Denmark, Canada, and the U.S., with Greenlanders working in kitchens or as nannies. Post-war, American culture influenced Greenland, from music to appliances ordered from Sears catalogs. Mining continued until 1987, leaving behind abandoned homes and remnants of its past.
A Jewel for Travelers
Today, Ivittuut is a tourism hotspot. Visitors can explore its dilapidated buildings, a massive mine pit, and an above-ground cemetery, all reminders of its fascinating history and global impact.
Ivittuut, Greenland, hides a forgotten tale of war, rare minerals, and global impact. Once the world’s largest cryolite reserve, this abandoned mining town played a pivotal role in World War II and shaped modern Greenland in unexpected ways: pic.twitter.com/VDKNm0sH2O
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) December 18, 2024