These salt structures are vertically elongated salt masses and geologists believe they may be 15,000 to 20,000 feet thick. Excavations in salt domes can reach more than 100 feet in height. Salt is mined by undercutting, drilling and blasting or with mining machines that use large cutting heads that may be six feet or more in diameter. The salt is then bagged or packaged or shipped in bulk to the customer. The brine is purified and fed to large evaporators where salt crystallizes in to granulated salt.
Table salt is a typical evaporated salt product.
Safety is a major concern in salt production with major strides achieved in protecting workers in salt plants.