Detroit salt mine

The Detroit salt mine is a salt mine located 1,100 ft (340 m) below Detroit, Michigan. The mine opened in 1910 and covers 1,500 acres (610 ha) underground.[1] In the beginning, the leather and food industries were the primary customers. Today, road deicing salt is the primary product.[2]

History

Rock salt was discovered in 1895. The Detroit Salt and Manufacturing Company was formed to extract the salt. The company went bankrupt before finishing the shaft down to the salt. A new company was formed and the shaft was completed in 1910.[2]

A second larger shaft was completed in 1925. The first shaft was relegated to hauling workers and materials.[2]

The mine was closed from 1983 to 1998, when production was restarted to produce road deicing salt.[2]

Geology

Main article: Michigan Basin

Salt layers formed in the Michigan Basin millions of years ago as salt water repeatedly entered and evaporated.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Duggan, Daniel (October 18, 2010). "Detroit's underground rock salt mine sold". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "History of The Detroit Salt Mine". The Kissner Group. Retrieved December 22, 2014.

External links

Coordinates: 42°17′09″N 83°08′59″W / 42.2858°N 83.1497°W / 42.2858; -83.1497

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