Qullissat

Photo: Destination Diskobay

The biggest mine town

Qullissat, located on Disko Island in Greenland, was a key part of Denmark’s coal mining industry. Founded in 1924, the town quickly became Greenland’s largest center for coal production, making three types of coal: household, stoking, and fine coal. Fine coal needed special stoves to use.

At its peak, Qullissat was Denmark’s biggest coal mining town, producing up to 30,000 tons of coal each year and about 1.5 million tons in total over the years. The town had around 200 homes and provided its residents with everything they needed, including a hospital, childcare facilities, a store, and a power plant. Most families in Qullissat were on welfare, lived in their own homes, and had already paid off their loans.

By 1964, the town’s situation started to decline. With no new homes being built and the mine’s profits falling, unemployment increased, and the town’s infrastructure began to fall apart. This slow decline eventually led to the town’s abandonment. Today, Qullissat stands as a historic reminder of Greenland’s significant role in the coal mining industry.

Facts about qullissat

- When Qullissat opened, some employees from the Marmorilik mine moved to Qullissat, bringing their houses with them.
- It was considered to move the houses to other towns by helicopter.
- By 1966, Qullissat’s population peaked at 1,400, marking its highest recorded number.
- There is a museum featuring many artifacts from Qullissat from that era.
- The church of Qullissat, known as Naalakkatta Oqaluffia, was relocated to Ilulissat.
- After the closure of the town of Qullissat, the town has been up for sale.

Becoming the ghost town

The question of closing the mine

By the end of World War II, the economic viability of the mine was already in question. The coal was sold for DKK 50 per ton, while its market value was DKK 105. This disparity led to significant financial losses, with an annual deficit of 4.5 to 5.0 million kroner which is an equivalent to the total wage bill.

In the late 1940s, the Greenland Commission (G-50) began considering the mine’s closure. However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 shifted priorities, as securing fuel supplies for Greenland became a strategic concern. Consequently, Qullissat’s operation continued, and British consulting firm Powel Duffryn Technical Services Limited was hired to assess its future. Although new coal seams were discovered in 1960, but the necessary infrastructure investments were not approved by the Danish government.

During the 1950s and mid 1960s, Greenland transitioned from coal to oil for energy. This shift introduced a more convenient way of life, with coal fired stoves being gradually replaced by oil boilers over 10-15 years. As a result, coal became even less valuable.

So, in June 1966, the municipal council recommended that one third of the population should vacate the site immediately. Housing needed to be arranged in other cities for 700 people from Qullissat alone. Since 1967, 900 residents have relocated from Qullissat. By 1971, only 500 people remained, and everyone was required to move by October 1, 1972. After that date, Qullissat was to become a ghost town.

Forced relocation

The forced relocation of Qullissat is a poignant chapter in Greenland’s history. Established as a town where many felt they had finally found their home, Qullissat’s closure in 1972 marked a significant and painful shift for its residents. The decision, made by the parliament and national council in 1968, was heavily influenced by national and corporate interests rather than the needs and voices of the town’s inhabitants.

Despite the town’s strong sense of community and its deep rooted connection for many residents who were born there, the lack of local representation in the council and the limited engagement from those in decision making positions, such as the chairman of the county council, who never visited the town, highlighted a disconnect between policymakers and the lived experiences of Qullissat’s people.

The closure saw the shutdown of essential services and institutions, including schools, the police, hospitals, and telegraph stations, underscoring the dramatic impact on daily life and the community’s well being. The decision was also backed by KGH (Royal Greenland Trading Department) and other public entities, emphasizing the broader economic and administrative motives behind the closure.

The museum in town

The museum houses a range of items, from factory equipment to personal belongings, providing insight into the lifestyle of that time.

Abandoned town

The town was abandoned and became a ghost town, with official companies leaving behind their equipment and the residents of Qullissat leaving their furniture behind as well.

The consequence of closing the town Qullissat

With the closure of Qullissat, the town’s residents faced significant changes. Each family was offered a DKK 2,000 moving premium, with additional support from the national treasury to replace furniture and cover outstanding housing benefit loans totaling DKK 3.1 million. They also received a waiver of DKK 350,000 in debt and compensation up to DKK 400,000.

Despite this financial assistance, the relocation posed several challenges. Former miners found their new homes more expensive, leading to a higher cost of living. Additionally, the transition to new jobs, predominantly in the seasonal fishing and shrimp industries, brought uncertainty. Many immigrants who were accustomed to stable, year round employment faced periods of unemployment during the off season, and adapting to the new industry proved difficult. Some people struggled to fit in and faced cold welcomes, while others had to move away from their families for work. The stress also led to issues like alcohol abuse for a few. Despite these challenges, many residents adapted well and found new opportunities.

The move was hard, but it also opened doors for those who managed to adjust.