ABSTRACT
In June 2000, mercury being transported from mine to market was accidentally spilled over 41 Km of a highway in rural Peru. The mercury was a byproduct of gold produced by Minera Yanacocha, S.R.L. (MYSRL), Peru's largest gold producer, at its mine complex near Cajamarca, in the Andean highlands of northwestern Peru. In response to the spill, MYSRL marshaled a massive and comprehensive emergency response program that addressed all aspects of the environmental, human health, and social impacts that resulted from the spill. This paper describes the technical aspects of the impacts of the mercury spill, the emergency response taken, and the results achieved. This mercury spill was a uniquely challenging event from which much was learned. It is to the credit of all involved, MYSRL, the government officials and agencies, their respective consultants and advisors, and the local citizens, that the situation was so effectively and efficiently addressed.
