Mining in the Arctic: Mitigation and Remedial Measures

Abstract

Permafrost, or perennially frozen ground, underlies about one-fifth of all land surface of the earth, and much of this area is in the northern hemisphere. Most of Alaska, at least one-half of the Canadian land area and more than a third of the territory of Russia, lie within the continuous and discontinuous permafrost zones. Permafrost, by definition, is any soil that has been continuously frozen for at least two consecutive years. The continuous permafrost zone is totally underlain by permafrost except for areas concomitant with large water bodies. The discontinuous zones are characterized by permafrost and thawed ground existing together.