A salt well (or brine well) is used to mine salt from 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 either a brine or a dry product for sale or local 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.
- ^ "Solution Mining for Salt" (PDF). Salt Institute. Retrieved 2010-10-16.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 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.
salt well.