European project LIFE HERMES

Ultimo aggiornamento: 22 aprile 2026, 13:03

Progetto: 101216077 LIFE-2024-SAP-ENV-ES-LIFE-HERMES Co-funded by the European Unione

LIFE HERMES. Harmonized efforts to safely reduce mercury emissions.

Mercury (Hg) is a metal that has been extracted and used by humans for thousands of years. However, in recent decades, the risks it poses to health and the environment have been fully understood, leading to its regulation at international, European, and national levels. The LIFE HERMES project aims to demonstrate an innovative solution with great potential for the recovery of mercury-contaminated soils. To this end, two particularly significant sites have been selected. The first is Cerco de Almadenejos (CDA) in Spain, the largest mercury mine in the world. The second is the Abbadia San Salvatore (ABSS) mine in Italy, one of the most important sites worldwide to produce liquid mercury. Mercury is, in fact, the only heavy metal that is liquid at room temperature.

An environmentally friendly solution: LIFE HERMES offers a solution based on the in situ chemical stabilization of Hg, which presents significant advantages over traditional decontamination methods. It is minimally invasive, preserves the site's integrity, and reduces the alteration of the surrounding environment, unlike ex situ methods. This approach is also more cost-effective as it eliminates the need to transport and store contaminated materials. By stabilizing mercury on-site, the risk of contaminant dispersal during excavation or transport is minimized, ensuring a safer remediation process. Furthermore, it provides long-term stability by converting Hg into a less mobile form, reducing the risk of leaching and environmental impact. The flexibility of the LIFE HERMES solution allows it to adapt to site-specific conditions and contamination levels, offering a customized approach. LIFE HERMES will demonstrate this solution in the Cerco de Almadenejos (27,000 m²) and at a pilot site (1,000 m²) in the "Le Lame" mining dump area of Abbadia San Salvatore, establishing a new procedure for the remediation of Hg-contaminated soils. Additionally, the project will provide for the revegetation of the area and seek a new use for the space, involving the local population and restoring the historical value of both sites. The results will be replicated at two other sites in Spain and Slovenia.

Duration: 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029

Total budget: 2.836.287,52 euro

Ucavo Budget: 155.457,09 euro

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The LIFE Hermes project is coordinated by MAYASA (Minas de Almadén y Arrayanes, SA) (Spain) and relies on an international consortium formed by Terresis (Centro de Magnesitas Navarras) (Spain), Unione dei Comuni Amiata Val d'Orcia (Italy), University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), and the University of Barcelona (Spain).

Expected Results

The LIFE HERMES project aims to validate the use of Hidramag® as a cost-effective, safe, and efficient solution for the remediation of mercury-contaminated soils. It is expected that in historical mining sites, this will contribute to improving the well-being of local communities and the protection of cultural heritage.

In more detail, the expected results include:

• Technical and Economic Evaluation: Protocols will be established to assess the technical and economic feasibility of Hidramag® in the remediation of mercury-contaminated soils.
• Contamination Reduction: Mercury leaching in contaminated soils is expected to be reduced by more than 90%, even in high-concentration areas. Furthermore, efforts will be made to reduce mercury emissions into water by 50% and atmospheric dispersion by 80%, thereby improving environmental quality.
• Environmental Protection and Biodiversity: The safety of the aquatic environment will be guaranteed by minimizing the pollution of river species and preserving water and air resources.
• Preservation of Cultural and Social Heritage: In Almadenejos, Spain, cultural assets declared as being of significant interest will be preserved. Simultaneously, the project will promote an improved social perception of the involved sites, encouraging tourism and the revaluation of these locations.
• Promotion of the Circular Economy: Through collaboration with MAGNA, industrial waste will be used to produce Hidramag®, contributing to a circular economy model.
• Expansion of Application and Replicability: The goal is to apply this technology to different types of soils and contaminants, extending its use to other European plants and mines—such as the Solvay facilities in Spain and the former Idrija mercury mine in Slovenia—thus multiplying its impact.
• Business Plan for Hidramag®: A commercialization plan will be developed for Hidramag® to promote its adoption at a market level.

   

   

  Pilot Actions

  Cerco de Almadenejos (CDA): A Pilot Project for the Remediation of Mercury-Contaminated Soils

  The Cerco de Almadenejos (CDA), located in the small municipality of Almadenejos in the Ciudad Real region, is part of the Almadén mining district, renowned as the largest mercury mine in the world. This historical area, home to approximately 200 residents, houses an ancient 18th-century metallurgical plant used for mercury extraction. From 1794 to 1861, the CDA served as a fundamental center for roasting cinnabar from both Almadén and Almadenejos. Today, it is declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) (Asset of Cultural Interest), making it a precious piece of historical heritage.

  
   

  The site exhibits varying levels of mercury soil contamination, ranging from 40 mg/kg up to 15,900 mg/kg of Hg, significantly exceeding average contamination levels in Europe. This contamination creates a continuous source of mercury emissions in gaseous form, which disperse into the atmosphere via dust particles that can be transported by the wind over varying distances. Furthermore, the area is prone to generating contaminated runoff water, which can occasionally reach public waterways, further contributing to water pollution and specifically impacting aquatic biota. Addressing this problem is a complex challenge due to the site's historical and cultural value, which prevents the adoption of drastic measures such as the demolition of furnace ruins or complete soil excavation. Because of its protected status, it is necessary to develop an innovative, cost-effective, and less invasive solution that allows for environmental improvement without compromising the preservation of cultural heritage.

  

  To this end, the LIFE HERMES project is implementing a mercury-contaminated soil treatment at the CDA—an innovative solution tailored to the specific characteristics of this site. Across a total area of 33,306 m², the treatment will focus on the top 50 cm of soil, where the highest mercury concentrations were detected. The soil at the CDA has a "loamy" structure with high sand content and effective porosity, which facilitates air and water circulation—ideal conditions for applying the selected remediation technologies. Preliminary studies conducted on-site confirm that the chosen technology is suitable for treating mercury contamination in these soils, allowing for a significant reduction in mercury levels and minimizing risks to the environment and public health. In summary, the CDA represents a fundamental pilot case to demonstrate how mercury contamination can be treated at sites of high cultural value, maintaining a balance between heritage preservation and the improvement of the natural environment. This project has the potential to offer replicable solutions for other sites affected by historical mining activity in Europe, contributing to environmental restoration and the well-being of local communities.

  Abbadia San Salvatore: From Red Cinnabar to Green Vegetation

  The Abbadia San Salvatore (ABSS) mine, active between 1899 and 1972, was one of the most important in the Monte Amiata mining district in the province of Siena, Italy. Located west of the municipality of Abbadia San Salvatore, it was a cornerstone of global mercury production. Throughout its history, this mine produced over 100,000 tons of liquid mercury, approximately 10% of which was dispersed into the environment, resulting in a significant ecological impact. In 2008, ownership of the mining concession passed to the municipality of Abbadia San Salvatore (UCAVO), which assumed responsibility for the environmental remediation of the mining area. The goal is to transform these zones into reclaimed spaces, preserving their heritage and repurposing them for museum and public use, such as green areas.

  

  Previous research in the area has revealed elevated levels of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and antimony (Sb) in the soil and leaching liquids, with particularly high concentrations of arsenic due to the interaction of groundwater with the volcanic materials present at the site. These contaminants, particularly arsenic, have dispersed through soil leachate and groundwater, contributing to environmental contamination. In fact, the area where the pilot site will be established is located approximately 300 meters from a mine shaft known as Trivella, where water can be extracted from the old mining tunnels. This shaft is the key point for monitoring groundwater quality in the area. LIFE HERMES aims not only for the environmental remediation of the site, its restoration for public use, and the preservation of historical heritage, but also to contribute to improving the social perception of the area—and thus its tourism value—through tools such as environmental education.

  

   

  Contacts: For further information, please write to a.esposito@uc-amiatavaldorcia.si.it 

  Co-funded by the European Union. However, the opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the funding body can be held responsible for them.

  News:

  23/04/2026 - 1° Workshop of the Abbadia San Salvatore project at the Abbadia San Salvatore Municipal Video Library in Via Mentana, location  https://maps.app.goo.gl/GDGwtf1uGWF2VreZ8