A method for capturing mercury in a flue gas formed by solid fuel combustion including: combusting coal, wherein mercury released during combustion is entrained in flue gas generated by the combustion; generating a thermally activated carbon-containing sorbent by partially gasifying a solid fuel in a gasifier local to the combustion of solid fuel; injecting the gasified gas products into the combustion of coal; injecting the thermally activated sorbent in the flue gas, and collecting the injected sorbent in a waste treatment system.