In this field there are integrated studies and investigation projects concerning on the valuation and correction of environmental impacts, characterisation and recovery of contaminated lands, environmental geochemistry and mining environmental ordination of the exploitation of mineral resources and industrial rocks.

Great part of the activity of IGME in this line is carried out by means of agreements of collaboration with entities of the General Administration of the State, and Autonomic and Local ones. In this sense, it is necessary to point out the agreement of technical and scientific assistance, undersigned with the Ministry of Environment, as regards quality and environmental evaluation which gives support to the realization of basic studies, technical standards and regulations in connection with the administration of contaminated soil. It also supports specific studies on the environmental effects originated by the mining activities, industrial and energy facilities, public works, etc., and their correction.

On the other hand, IGME steadies as national organism of reference on Contaminated Soils. Nowadays it plays the role of National Centre of Reference of soil in the frame of the structure of the net EIONET of the Environment European Agency, and it participates in the international forums of contamination and protection of soil. It is also remarkable the signing in 2001 of an Agreement of Scientific and Technique Cooperation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) about contamination of lands.

Starting from the second semester, IGME, through technicians of the Department of Mineral Resources and Geoenvironment, forms active part, together with representatives of the Ministry of Environment (General Administration of Quality and Environmental Evaluation) and of the Ministry of Economy (General Administration of Energy Politics and Mines), of the Spanish representation in the work group that was constituted "ad-hoc" in the frame of the technical works that are being carried out for the application of the European Directive IPPC whose aim is the elaboration of a BREF document (European document of reference about available technical improvements) in the administration of mining residuals as a previous step to the elaboration of a community Directive on the matter. This group participates in an active way in the meetings that, held in Brussels, debate the Directive text proposed by the General Agency of Environment of the European Commission.