Group of countries tries to stop mercury pollution caused by mining

Thanks to its ability to bind to precious metals, like gold or silver, mercury has been used in the small-scale mining industry for centuries. However, several recent studies say that the effects of this method are lasting and really dangerous for the environment and for human health.

Mining through this process releases mercury into the air when the substance is burned, isolating gold from a chunk of rock, for instance. But while the gold appears, the soil and the water used during the process are affected and contaminate everything around them. This happens especially in countries like Peru, where the situation is rather worrying.

http://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/group-of-countries-tries-to-stop-mercury-pollution-caused-by-mining