Most people in Reykjavik have someone in their surroundings who has already packed their bags and gone.
Emigration has rapidly picked up speed since the Atlantic island nation's economy crumbled in late 2008, dragged down by the collapse of its major banks. Last year it marked the largest exodus from the country since 1887.
In 2009 more than 10,600 people left the country of fewer than 320,000 inhabitants, according to official statistics, with 4,835 more people moving away than immigrating.
Foreign workers, mainly Poles, who since the beginning of the decade had been drawn to Iceland's financial miracle, were the first to leave.

It's not exactly exile though is it? The fundamental point about exile is you go away and you're not allowed to come back. I'd imagine if they wanted to move back nobody would stand in their way. However 'Icelanders opt for living somewhere a bit nicer' probably doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

As for the minining industry the Chinese Iron smelters are currently boycotting BHP and Billiton so lets see how that pans out.