Rodriguez, A., P. Bardos, A. Cundy, E. Hall, T. Hutchings, W. Kovalick, F. de Leij, R. de Leij, B. Maco, and A. Rodriguez.
R3 Environmental Technology, 2017

Gold mining using mercury recovery techniques has resulted in severe health and environmental impacts in large areas of Colombia, South America. With ~4,200 active and abandoned gold mines and some 3,000 additional artisanal locations, 80,000 ha are estimated to be contaminated with Hg in Colombia, especially by artisanal methods. A project funded by the UK government and supported by the Colombian Ministries of Mining and Environment and Sustainable Development was conducted from June 2016 to March 2017 to evaluate a range of science-based gentle remediation strategies to rehabilitate land affected by soil Hg pollution in disadvantaged areas in Colombia and return it to productive use, with a focus on renewable energy generation. Technology evaluations and bench-scale testing included biochar for Hg stabilization as well as adaptation of international project decision-support tools (EU GREENLAND and HOMBRE Brownfields Opportunity matrix, and U.S. RE-Powering America) to conditions in Colombia. Project output reports are available at http://www.r3environmental.com.co/en/projects/76-estrategias-parastrategies-for-rehabilitating-mercury-contaminated-mining-lands-in-colombia-for-renewable-energy-and-other-sustainable-re-use.html.