LIFE HERMES PROJECT
Harmonized Efforts for Reducing Mercury Emissions Safely
The LIFE HERMES Project is a European initiative focused on environmental restoration and sustainable management of former industrial and mining sites. Led by Terresis, it promotes circular economy principles, soil recovery and ecosystem protection, delivering concrete solutions to reduce long-term environmental impact.
LIFE HERMES
Mercury (Hg) is a metal that has been extracted and used by humans for thousands of years. However, in recent decades, the full extent of its risks to health and the environment has been understood, leading to it being subject to international, European, and national regulations. The LIFE HERMES project aims to demonstrate an innovative solution with great potential for recovering soils contaminated with mercury.
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 mine (ABSS) in Italy, one of the most important sites worldwide for the production of liquid mercury. Mercury is the only liquid heavy metal at room temperature.
A Solution that Preserves the Environment
LIFE HERMES offers a solution based on the in-situ chemical stabilization of Hg, which provides significant advantages over traditional decontamination methods since it is minimally invasive, preserving the integrity of the site and reducing disturbance to the surrounding environment, unlike ex-situ methods.
This approach is also more cost-effective, eliminating the need for the transport and storage of contaminated materials. By stabilizing the mercury on-site, the risk of contaminant dispersion during excavation or transport is minimized, ensuring a safer remediation process. Additionally, 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 specific site conditions and contamination levels, offering a customized approach.
LIFE HERMES will demonstrate this solution at the Cerco de Almadenejos (27,000 m²) and Abbadia San Salvatore (1,000 m²) sites and will establish a new procedure for the remediation of Hg-contaminated soils. Furthermore, the project will revegetate the area and explore new uses for the space, involving the local population while restoring the historical value of both sites. The results will be replicated at two additional sites in Spain and Slovenia.
Duration: 01/09/2025 – 31/08/2029
Budget: 2.836.287,52 euros
Expected results
The LIFE HERMES project aims to validate the use of Hidramag® as an affordable, safe, and effective solution for the decontamination of mercury-contaminated soils. It is expected that in historically exploited areas, this will contribute to improving the well-being of local communities and protecting cultural heritage. In more detail, the expected results include:
Pilot actions
El proyecto LIFE HERMES implementa dos acciones piloto en España e Italia en antiguos sitios de minería de mercurio. Estos pilotos demuestran soluciones innovadoras e in situ para reducir los riesgos de contaminación mientras se preserva el patrimonio ambiental y cultural.
Cerco de Almadenejos (CDA): A Pilot 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, known for being the largest mercury mine in the world.
Abbadia San Salvatore: From Mercury Red to Green Vegetation
The Abbadia San Salvatore mine (ABSS), active between 1899 and 1972, was one of the most important in the Monte Amiata mining district, in the province of Siena, Italy. Located to the west of the municipality of Abbadia San Salvatore, it was crucial for global mercury production.
Presentation of the LIFE HERMES project at the INTER LIFE 2026 meeting
First meeting of the LIFE HERMES project consortium. Almadén, November 2025
Cerco de Almadenejos - Oct 2025
Abbadia San Salvatore Mine
Abbadia San Salvatore Mine
Partners
The LIFE HERMES project is coordinated by MAYASA (Minas de Almadén y Arrayanes, SA) (Spain) and involves an international consortium comprising Terresis (Centro de Magnesitas Navarras) (Spain), Unione dei Comuni Amiata Val d’Orcia (Italy), the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), and the University of Barcelona (Spain).
For more information about the project
Co‑funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions 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 granting authority can be held responsible for them.