Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing pollutants from contaminated soil in which the soil is first purified from coarse constituents by screening or crushing and then subjected to extraction with washing water mixed with additives, after which the soil is separated from the washing water and additionally rinsed with rinsing water whereupon the rinsing water is freed in a purification process from the pollutants extracted from the soil. The extraction with washing water, which may contain additives if required, is substantially separate from the single or mulit-stage rinsing and sorting process; a very fine fraction having a particle size up to 150 .mu.m, and preferably up to 10 .mu.m, is separated by dry or wet sorting before extraction; and the dried very fine fraction is distilled at a temperature of 300.degree. C. to a maximum of 600.degree. C., preferably distilled in vacuo at a temperature of 380.degree. C., for purification from organic pollutants and from cyanide and mercury compounds.