Ujarassiorit the national mineral hunt for amateur geologists has come to an end for 2012. This year 687 samples were submitted, and the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum and the geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland have selected the most interesting rock samples.

The total prize amount is DKK 120,000: A 1^st prize of DKK 55,000, a 2^nd Prize of DKK 25,000, two 3^rd prizes of DKK 10,000 each, and four 4^th prizes of DKK 5,000 each.

The three main sponsors The Bank of Greenland Industrial Fund, NunaMinerals A/S, and KGHM International Ltd. have each contributed with DKK 40,000 to the total prize amount.

North American Nickel Inc., North Atlantic Mining Associates Ltd., Avannaa Resources Ltd., and Red Rock Resources Plc have each contributed with DKK 10,000 to the total prize amount.

The winner of the 1st prize of DKK 55,000 tax-free was Kenneth Kristiansen from Nuuk, who has submitted a rock sample from Qassiarsuk in South Greenland. His sample is a multi-element ore with high values of multiple elements, including manganese (60,000 g/t), lanthanum (2650 g/t), phosphorus (4,58 %), strontium (5700 g/t), beryllium (104 g/t), and gallium (120 g/t). 

The sample is interesting because of its elemental composition which is unusual, but it most likely originates from alkaline intrusions. The sample also shows that even in areas such as South Greenland, where there are a lot of well known occurrences of alkaline rocks with rare elements, it is still possible to find new extraordinary and interesting samples.

 

 
Figure 1: 1. The winning sample

The 2nd prize of DKK 25,000 tax-free went to Evald Brønlund from Ittoqqortoormiit, who submitted a quartz vein with visible gold. The sample is collected in an area near Ittoqqortoormiit, where gold has not previously been found.

Two 3rd prizes of DKK 10,000 were awarded.

The two samples are of similar type, and from the same area near Kullorsuaq. The distance between the localities, which is approximately 15 kilometers indicates that the mineralization occurs in a larger area, which makes the samples even more interesting. The samples are both sulfide ore with high values of iron (19 % and 28 %,), vanadium (700 g/t and 500 g/t), copper, nickel, and cobalt. They are submitted by Paulus-Isak Danielsen and Juliane Halsøe, both from Kullorsuaq.

Four 4th prizes of each DKK 5,000 tax-free were awarded:

• A sulphide ore with mineralization of copper (65,000 g/t) and nickel (6,800 g/t). The sample is collected in Kulusuk by Robin Nuko from Kulusuk.
• A gneiss covered with a red mineral, not yet identified, and currently undergoing further tests. This unusual sample was found at Eqqorliit, and submitted by Johannes Kristensen, Upernavik.
• A sulphide ore with PGE (14 ppb palladium, 23 ppb platinum), nickel (300 g/t), and copper (500 g/t) from Qasigiannguit. The sample was submitted by Jakob Petersen, Qasigiannguit.
• A basalt with sulphide mineralization of nickel (650 g/t). The sample was found near Qaarsut, and submitted by Therkild hansen, Qaarsut.

Ujarassiorit, which is a national mineral hunt for amateur geologists, has now run for more than 20 years. From every post office, residents of Greenland can, free of charge, send in rock samples for further geological examination.

Ujarassiorit is run and financed by the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum, the Government of Greenland, www.bmp.gl

 

 
Figure 2: Map showing the localities of the winning samples

For information regarding Ujarassiorit and geology, please contact Head of Geology Department Henrik Stendal.

The Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum
Phone: +299 34 68 00
Fax: +299 34 43 02
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.