Soil function restoration at abandoned gold mining sites

In Suriname, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has left behind a legacy of abandoned sites with degraded soils and diffuse mercury contamination.
Without intervention, these areas continue to pose environmental risks, including erosion, sediment contamination, and the loss of natural vegetation.

Goal of the project

This project aims to restore the essential functions of the topsoil at abandoned ASGM sites. By doing so, this project aims to:

• Stabilize mercury contamination in the soil
• Enable the recovery of native flora
• Stabilize mine pit slopes
• Reduce erosion and the spread of contaminated sediments

From pilot to protocol 

The outcomes of the literature review and pilot project will form the basis for an ASGM Site Restoration Protocol.
This protocol will provide clear guidelines for:

• Site assessment and investigation
• Restoration planning and design
• Implementation of soil restoration measures
• Monitoring progress and maintaining restored sites

Knowledge sharing and capacity building

Beyond technical restoration, the project invests in knowledge transfer and capacity building. By training local stakeholders and sharing best practices, we aim to create long-term capacity for sustainable site management in Suriname. By restoring degraded soils, this project does not only contain contamination but also enable nature to return, making these former mining sites safer, more stable, and more valuable for surrounding communities.  

Executive project partners 

TAUW

Boudewijn Fokke Soil Consultancy

Wageningen University and Research

EMSAGS