Mercury pollution, primarily generated by illicit mining activities, represents one of the greatest threats to the environment and public health in Colombia. The country is the world’s largest per capita emitter of mercury, with significant releases stemming from small-scale gold mining and illegal activities. In response to this challenge, Pure Earth has become a strategic ally for governments and communities in implementing actions aimed at reducing the impacts of this situation.
Technical Strength and Leadership in Comprehensive Solutions
Pure Earth brings over two decades of international experience in managing heavy metal pollution. In Colombia, the organization has actively collaborated with initiatives such as the Territorial Roundtable Against Illegal Mining and Mercury Pollution, led by the Office of the Attorney General and supported by the U.S. Embassy, among other key stakeholders. This effort has achieved milestones such as the installation of monitoring systems in the Suratá River Basin and the regulation of Law 2250 of 2022, focused on mining formalization.
Pure Earth leads pollution assessment studies, employing advanced technologies like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to detect heavy metals in soil, water, and sediments. These analyses enable the identification of mercury, lead, and arsenic levels, establishing baselines in critical areas such as Antioquia, Santander, Putumayo, and Chocó. The data collected is crucial for understanding the situation in these regions regarding heavy metal presence and for formulating recommendations to guide the continuation of these studies and the coordination of entities in environmental management.
Environmental and Social Impact
The impact of mercury extends beyond the environment. Prolonged exposure severely affects human health, particularly in vulnerable communities that rely on contaminated resources. Pure Earth has fostered collaboration between government entities in the development of its projects, including the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, to ensure a comprehensive approach to the issue.
Additionally, Pure Earth promotes compliance with the Minamata Convention, a global agreement aimed at eliminating mercury use in various activities. As a signatory to the convention, Colombia has advanced its implementation with the organization’s technical support, achieving progress in creating mineral traceability platforms and adopting clean technologies in mining.
A Call to Action
Despite significant achievements, the lack of regulation in mercury management and final disposal, more than 11 years after Law 1658, highlights the urgency of continuing to work on a comprehensive approach to address this issue.
Collaboration between Pure Earth and national and international stakeholders remains crucial to ensuring a mercury-free future for Colombia. It is imperative to advance in miner characterization, strengthen operational and associative frameworks, and ensure environmental education plans that transform affected regions.
Pure Earth reaffirms its commitment to Colombia, not only as a technical partner but also as a catalyst for change, working alongside communities and governments to protect public health and the environment.
Learn more about our work Promoting the recovery and responsible management of mercury in contaminated tailings from artisanal gold mining in Colombia.
