IIRC (as much as I care to R == not enough to search for the passage, obv.) the article Doug posted, suggested that the C. had discovered a few places and, unlike the marauding Occidentals - decided it wasn't worth pursuing the matter. Or.. maybe the factoids got lost within some internecine warfare du jour.
You IIRC - deemed that, if they didn't call in the Developers / Conslutants / Entrepren{ugh}eurs in full cavalry attire to oust the new-found natives, pillage, appropriate and Own Them:
~"It Wasn't Really a Fucking Discovery"
Or something Like that. Then ya called him a Commie-lover or some such, for believing that the story just might harbour a smidgeon of Truth.
Dunno but.. perspicuous gargantuan grouchery notwithstanding -
Pshaw comes to mind.
Maybe it's Chernobyl fallout.. didn't just zap the reindeer?