Salt miners extract salt from underground and surface deposits using heavy equipment. They may work manually or operate equipment for salt evaporation and collection. Physical fitness and safety training are required, and advancement opportunities may vary depending on the size of the facility.
A salt miner operates equipment used in extracting salt from underground and surface deposits. This includes a variety of grades of salt, from cooking or table salt to products used in de-icing and similar applications. Like other mining jobs, working in salt production can be dangerous as it can involve heavy equipment, harsh working conditions and long hours. Positions in this field are generally open to heavy equipment operators, handymen, engineers and administrative support staff.
Underground mining was historically conducted by sending miners underground with pickaxes and other tools to remove salt. Today, many salt mines use a solution extraction technique, where they inject water into a sump, pump it to the surface and process it to extract the salt. The miners operate the equipment for this process and carry out regular quality and safety checks. Periodically, it may be necessary to sink new wells for exploration or to develop new extraction sites.
Salt miners may also work in surface deposits, which can be natural flats or man-made salt deposits driven heavily salted water through a series of evaporation ponds. In these locations, a salt miner may work manually to extract usable salt or may operate equipment used for salt evaporation and collection. Developing countries are more likely to use manual labor because it is cheaper than equipment, and it can also be difficult to import equipment and the parts needed for maintenance and repairs.
Physical fitness is usually required to work as a salt miner. The job may require extensive bending and lifting, as well as working with heavy tools and containers. A heavy equipment operator certificate may be required to handle loader trucks, excavators and other tools used on the job. Mine personnel may also require safety training and certifications as part of a workplace safety program designed to minimize the risk of injury and other problems on the job.
The space to advance in this field may vary. In large facilities, a salt miner may be able to work in a supervisory position which may come with better pay and benefits. Smaller salt mines, particularly those that rely heavily on manual labor, tend to have fewer senior positions available. An experienced miner may consider transferring to another facility where there could be more room for the skills gained, depending on needs and ability to move into job opportunities.
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