Scope
Reference
CA18/2/1/134
Description
Addressing metalliferous diffuse pollution from old, abandoned metal mine sites within UK river catchments is a priority due to the significant environmental impacts associated with the release of harmful diffuse pollutants.
These mine sites both leach toxic metals like lead, cadmium and zinc and mobilise heavy metal containing sediments that are washed/leach into adjacent watercourses. This contamination impacts water quality, aquatic life and biodiversity.
Proactively managing and mitigating diffuse pollution in these catchments is essential to restoring and preserving the ecological balance of the river systems, ensuring the safety of the water for future generations, and maintaining local economies that depend on both rivers and surrounding lands for employment, recreation and agriculture.
The primary objective under this contract is to mitigate diffuse metalliferous pollution within complex topographic and ecological conditions by applying an innovative, proportional suite of techniques to stabilise mine wastes and interrupt erosion and infiltration pathways.
Baseline data on soil chemistry, metals and microbial diversity will inform the design of multi-treatment trials to evaluate restoration materials and techniques across contrasting environmental conditions.
We will be looking to consider a range of stabilisation methods, including bespoke technosols to be developed to address the diverse on-site substrates; bare spoil, early-stage biocrusts and spoil adjacent to established habitats.
The approach will be sympathetic to natural ecological succession from primary non-vascular colonisers to mature native grassland and heathland communities.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 90522000 - Services relating to contaminated soil
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys
Engagement
Engagement deadline
12 December 2025
Engagement process description
We are inviting questions from organisations who may be interested in this opportunity - please contact Principal Procurement Business Partner Peter Kobryn - peter.kobryn@miningremediation.gov.uk
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
22 December 2025
Contracting authority
Mining Remediation Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRPD-5825-QDVY
200 Lichfield Lane
Mansfield
NG18 4RG
United Kingdom
Contact name: Peter Kobryn
Region: UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government