Switzerland does not have many resources. Coal, oil or rare metals are lacking in its soil. Instead, it has an abundance of building materials, including various types of stone, wood, ‘white energy,’ and cement and concrete ingredients. These are well-known examples.
Less well known is salt, which has been known for centuries as the ‘white gold’. Salt is indispensable not only for preserving and preparing food but also for cheese production and animal feed.
Image: Saline Schweizerhalle
Until the 15th century, the Old Eidgenossenschaft had to import salt from France and Austria (Salzburg). Schaffhausen was a significant transhipment point for Austrian salt for centuries.
Saline de Bex
Anyone who sees sheep does not immediately think of salt. However, in the 15th century, sheep were the first to discover salt in what is now known as the Saline de Bex (canton of Vaud). The shepherd noted that they always drank from the same spring because of its high salt content. This salt came from oceans that also covered Switzerland 200 million years ago.
Picture: Saline de Bex
Then, from 1554, salt mining began at the Saline de Bex. This history is showcased in the open-air and underground museum and can also be experienced. Today, the mine continues to produce approximately 30 tonnes of salt per year, utilising a combination of artisanal and modern techniques.
Over the centuries, 52 kilometres of mine galleries were constructed. The train is not missing in this mine either, as is customary in Switzerland, (almost) always punctual with a route of several kilometres through the corridors, galleries and various exhibition areas.
Salt is indispensable not only for sheep but also for people. Not surprisingly, in the land of mineral springs and spas, Bex soon became Bex les Bains.
Bex
Today, Bex’s salt mines are a vast underground labyrinth, several kilometres of which are open to visitors. The labyrinth has 15 halls or galleries on two floors, where the world of salt is explained in words and pictures.
Due to its constant temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, it is also ideal for maturing cheese and storing wine. What could be a better place to keep sausages than a salt mine?
Saline Schweizerhalle and Saline Riburg
Until 1837, Bex had a monopoly on salt mining in Switzerland. However, production was not enough for the country. Extraction of salt also began in 1837 at the Saline Schweizerhalle near Pratteln (Canton of Basel-Landschaft) and in 1848 at the Saline Riburg (Canton of Aargau).
Saline Schweizerhalle
The Riburg plant has one of the largest evaporators in Europe. The Salt Storage Hall, Saldome 2, is the largest domed wooden structure in Switzerland.
Saline Riburg
The operation of these salt mines is technically more straightforward and cheaper than in Bex. Today, Saline Schweizerhalle and Saline Riburg produce approximately 600,000 tonnes of salt annually.
Approximately half of this production is dedicated to ice and snow removal on roads. The domestic use (food) industry, medicine, and cleaning products are among the other applications.
Applications of salt and the Swiss road network. Image: Saline Schweizerhalle
Schweizer Salinen/ Salines Suisses
Since 2014, these three salt mines have been united into Swiss Salt Mines. Shareholders are the 26 cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein. The primary goal is to ensure salt supply for Switzerland, which is no luxury in uncertain times. At least these three mines cover the country’s salt supply.
Saline de Bex and the flags of the three cantons of the Schweizer Salinen/ Salines Suisses
Conclusion
In this context, the question is whether the European Union will accept this monopolist in a potential new treaty, which may also affect SBB’s position.
The salt couldn’t care less. Nature has no concept of time. The three Swiss salt mines are open to the public and impressively display the world of ‘white gold’.
Salt as a molecule and in stone. Image: Saline Schweizerhalle
Impressions from the Saline de Bex
Impressions from the Saline Schweizerhalle
Impressions from the Saline Riburg
