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How is mined rock salt prepared for sale?
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Salt crystal magnified.
When rock salt is extracted through mining or quarrying, its preparation for sale depends on its purity level.
If the rock salt is highly pure, it can be processed through the following steps:
- Crushing: The large lumps of salt obtained from mining are first crushed into smaller pieces.1
- Grinding and Screening: The salt is then finely ground and screened by size to separate it into various commercial grades.1
- Packaging and Distribution: Once graded, the salt is either bulk-loaded into trucks, hoppers, or barges, or it is packaged into bags for distribution.1
To facilitate bulk handling and storage, anticaking agents are often added to the salt, which prevents it from forming a hard mass when stored outdoors or uncovered. In some instances, if the rock salt is not of sufficient purity, it may be dissolved to create brine, which is then treated and processed to manufacture purified salt.1