Salt well

For the U.S. community, see Salt Well, Alabama.
Brine Wells near Preesall
Brine well head

A salt well (or brine well) is used to mine salt from subterranean caverns or deposits. Water is used as a solution to dissolve the salt or halite deposits so that they can be extracted by pipe to an evaporation process, which results in a brine or dry product for sale or use.[1] In the United States during the 19th century, salt wells were a significant source of income for operators and the government. Locating underground salt deposits was usually based on locations of existing salt springs.[2]

In mountainous areas, a similar technique called sink works (from German sinkwerk) is used.


References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brine wells.
  1. ↑ "Solution Mining for Salt" (pdf). Salt Institute. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  2. ↑ Michigan Geological Survey (1876). Geological Survey of Michigan. Original from Harvard University: Published by authority of the Legislature of Michigan under the direction of the Board of Geological Survey. p. 171.