Idrija Mercury Mine Enlisted as UNESCO Heritage Site

The mercury mine in Slovenian city of Idrija will be officially entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Idrija's mercury mine is one of the biggest decommissioned mercury mines in the world, since about 13% of all the mercury ever produced worldwide came from Idrija, where mining was the main industry for five centuries.
The production of mercury ended in 1994. When the closure was launched in 1977, the main reasons were low prices of mercury and partial depletion, while later environmental concerns prevailed.
Along with Idria mine, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has decided to include on the heritage list the Spanish mine of Almaden. The two were decided to be the world's biggest and most representative mercury mines.
The listing will be marked with a ceremony in Idrija, which is to be attended by senior officials from both Slovenia and Spain.