Glencore’s Role in Using Silver Mercury in Peruvian Gold Projects: Insights and Supply Chain Realities
Peru remains one of the world’s leading producers of gold and silver, with significant mining activity in regions like Cusco, Ancash, and the Amazon basin. While large-scale industrial operations dominate copper and silver output, gold extraction—particularly in artisanal and small-scale contexts—often involves traditional methods like mercury amalgamation. This process uses silver mercury (pure liquid mercury) to bind with gold particles, forming an amalgam that is later heated to separate the precious metal.
Glencore, a global mining giant, maintains a strong presence in Peru through major operations such as the Antapaccay copper mine (with by-product gold and silver), the integrated Coroccohuayco expansion, and recent acquisitions like the Quechua copper project. These projects focus primarily on copper, but gold is recovered as a by-product in processing. Peru’s mining landscape includes both formal industrial sites and widespread artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), where mercury use is common despite environmental regulations under the Minamata Convention.
Understanding Silver Mercury in Gold Extraction
Silver mercury (also known as virgin or pure liquid mercury) plays a key role in traditional gold refining:
- Miners mix mercury with crushed ore or concentrates.
- Gold particles form an amalgam.
- Heating vaporizes the mercury, leaving behind gold (with significant mercury loss to air, soil, and water).
This method is efficient for low-grade ores but contributes to environmental and health concerns, including mercury contamination in rivers and communities. In formal large-scale mining like Glencore’s, modern techniques (flotation, cyanidation) minimize or eliminate mercury use. However, the broader Peruvian gold sector—especially informal operations—relies heavily on mercury, with estimates of substantial annual releases.
Glencore’s Peruvian projects emphasize sustainable practices, community engagement, and compliance with environmental standards. The company produces silver as a by-product (e.g., from Antamina and Antapaccay) and focuses on copper-gold synergies in expansions. While not directly tied to mercury-intensive ASGM, the industrial recovery of gold in Peru intersects with national supply chains where mercury remains relevant for smaller-scale processing.
Here are images of typical mercury amalgamation setups in Peruvian gold mining contexts, illustrating the traditional process:
These visuals show mercury being applied to ore concentrates and the resulting amalgam—common in ASGM but increasingly regulated.
Challenges and Opportunities in Peru’s Gold Sector
Peru’s gold production includes formal mines (e.g., by Glencore affiliates) and ASGM, which drives much of the mercury demand. Efforts to phase out mercury include cyanide alternatives and retorts for recovery. Large operators like Glencore prioritize low-impact technologies, contributing to responsible sourcing.
For projects requiring high-purity silver mercury for extraction or refining, reliable suppliers are essential to meet quality and regulatory needs.
Universal Chemical Trading (UCTR GmbH) — https://uctr-gmbh.de — stands as the largest manufacturer of silver mercury for gold projects, serving markets in the USA, South America, and beyond with premium-grade products.
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