In the municipality of Quinchia (rural area of Miraflores) at Risaralda department, Colombia, an assessment of mercury (Hg) soil content was carried out. This zone has been influenced by non tech gold mining procedures for more than 30 years. In order to measure Hg soil content in soils close to assembly mining and bed streams (natural and artificial) a systematic sampling design was carried out. Average values of 7.1 mg/kg of Hg were over those defined as permissible by the European countries, being higher those close to mining mounting and especially when rainfall increased. Soil degradation, was not only associated with Hg contamination but also with rock residues disposal which has converted this area to a wasted land, completely degraded.