An undercover investigation reveals 200 tonnes of the deadly substance is being smuggled across South America, where it is poisoning rivers, soil and airMercury is one of the world’s 10 deadliest chemicals – once extracted from the Earth’s crust, it can take centuries to break down. In 2013, more than 100 countries signed up to the Minamata convention, committing to restrict its production, export and use, and phase it out altogether.Yet while Latin American countries claim to have ended production of the toxic element and controlled its movement across borders, they have simply driven the trade underground. A new report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has found that mercury production is “out of control” in Mexico – the world’s second largest producer – driven by high gold prices and cartel involvement. Continue reading...