In a method for cleaning earth soils or similar soil materials polluted with organic harmful substances, the latter are extracted by means of a suitable solvent from an aqueous suspension of the soil materials. After the solvent which has taken up the extractable organic harmful substances, the solvent is distilled and recycled into the process. The distillation bottom product, which contains the extractable organic harmful substances, is disposed of, for example, by incineration or in a landfill. The remaining suspension is separated into water and soil, and the aqueous phase is recycled into the process. If the water is polluted with free cyanides, it must be passed over a purifier earth for removing the cyanides, before it is used again.
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