Abstract: A solid mass for the recovery of mercury, comprising a solid mineral support or dispersant, essentially copper and sulphur at least partly in the form of copper sulfide is produced by the following stages:a) at least one copper compound other than a sulphide is incorporated into a solid mineral dispersant or carrier,b) the product obtained in stage (a) is calcined in order at least partly to convert the copper compound or compounds which it contains into copper oxide (CuO and/or Cu.sub.2 O),c) the product obtained in stage (b) or in stage (a) if there has not been a stage (b) is brought into contact with elementary sulphur,d) the product resulting from stage (c) referred to as the precursor, is subjected to a thermal treatment in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and accompanied by gas scavenging, to a temperature and for a sufficient time to allow the formation of sulphide of the metal(s) present.