Salt Mine Berchtesgaden
The Salt Mine Berchtesgaden has been in uninterrupted operation since 1517. Salt deposits are proven to be up to 300 m below the valley floor in the area of the Salt Mine. Salt does not occur in a pure form, but rather, is encased in the “Haselgebirge”. This composite rock contains an average of 50% salt. It is released from the mountain with the aid of freshwater using a “wet mining” method.
Salt mining from the Haselgebirge
At five mining levels, 20 state-of-the art so-called mud-flush drilling plants are in operation. Approx. 600,000 m3 of brine are extracted per annum. 1,700 m3 of freshwater are required for this each day. The Salt Mine employs approx. 100 employees. Half of these work underground.
The Salt Mine as a tourist magnet
The Salt Mine is not only an important industrial operation, but has also been popular excursion destination with approx. 400,000 visitors per year.