GUIZHOU, A WORLD “MERCURY HOT SPOT”

Geologically, Guizhou is situated in the center of the Southwestern Low Temperature Hydro-thermal Mineralization Zone, which formed from the Devonian to the Triassic periods. A large number of mineral deposits including gold, arsenic, mercury, antimony, zinc and coal are distributed in the province.

Meanwhile, Guizhou is also located in the Circum-Pacific Global Mercuriferous Belt. Over the past centuries, 12 large mercury mines have been exploited. About 78% of the overall national mercury recovery resource has been developed in this province, so that Guizhou has been termed the “Mercury hottest spot of China”.

Mercury mining, metal smelting and coal combustion have brought about serious mercury contamination to the local environment. An increased awareness of the health impacts of mercury exposure to its citizens, particularly to those living in the vicinity of mercury mines, has led the central government of China and the provincial government of Guizhou to dedicate their efforts to turn the unrestrained transition of their economy into sustainable growth.

In this context, the 9th ICMGP represents a unique platform for dialogue on mercury-related issues between world-renowned mercury experts and Chinese stakeholders.