Colombia continues to be the largest emitter of mercury per capita in the world and the third country that pollutes the most with this metal on the entire planet.
The Attorney General’s Office continues to warn about the irreversible effects that the use of mercury in illegal miningis generating in several departments of the country, increasing deforestation, contaminating water sources and putting health at risk of the inhabitants of these regions.
Faced with this panorama, the control entity began measurements at points identified as potentially contaminated with mercuryespecially in the departments of Cauca, Antioquia, Chocó, Putumayo, Santander, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Caldas, Amazonas and Guainía, territories prioritized by the risk that the increase in illegal mining is generating in the environment.
According to the Public Ministry, the results of the field monitoring and measurements of heavy metals contemplate the issuance of a diagnostic report and a directive to combat this environmental emergency that requires, preventive and sanctioning actions of the authorities in compliance with their constitutional and legal functions.
Finally, he reiterated that, through the delegate for Environmental, Mining, Energy and Agrarian Affairs, he will continue with the monitoring and surveillance actions with the aim of reducing and eradicating mercury, especially for the protection of the environment and for the guarantee of the collective rights of the communities that are exposed to these pollutants.