The future principal sources of mercury in the Latin American and Caribbean region were identified as that recovered as a by-product of mining operations, and recovered from the closure/conversion of mercury cell chlor-alkali plants. A base case scenario suggests that mercury supply may exceed demand as easily as 2015 with total excess easily arising between 2015 and 2050 possibly amounting to over 8,000 tonnes.
The overall goal of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership is to protect human health and the environment from the releases of mercury.