Location, Location, Location
Salt can't be produced just anywhere. The right geological and meteorological conditions must be met. For this reason, 92% of U.S. salt is produced in just 7 states.
• Learn more from the USGS about US salt production.
Salt is produced or harvested differently depending upon the location.
Mined Salt
Areas that are fortunate enough to contain subterranean salt deposits can mine their salt. These deposits are the remains of ancient sea beds, where excess minerals fall out of solution and collect on the seafloor. Mined salt will usually contain other minerals within the salt which expands its mineral profile, enhances its taste, and changes its color.
Solar Evaporated Salt
For coastal areas with little rainfall, solar evaporation can be used. Fields of saltwater are left to evaporate until salt crystals remain behind to be harvested. Some inland locations pump water into subterranean salt deposits, and bring the liquid salt brine to the surface for evaporation. Solar evaporation produces traditional white salt (sodium chloride). Creating liquid brine for evaporation does alter the salt’s chemical and physical properties from its natural form.
Vacuum/Open Pan Salt
Some locations have either too much precipitation or not enough access to sunshine for solar evaporation. These operations pump liquid brine into large pans to boil off the water, leaving white salt crystals behind for harvesting. As with solar evaporation, the process of dissolving and evaporating changes the salt’s physical and chemical makeup from its natural state.
- Learn more about the difference between mined and evaporative salt
The Redmond Mineral and Clay Deposit
Few locations contain the richness found at the Redmond mineral deposit in central Utah. The Earth has endowed this deposit with special chemical and physical properties, which can be discovered in its unique geological history.
Early Jurassic Era
About 200 million years ago, during the early Jurassic, the Sundance Sea extended from the western coast of modern day Canada down into what is now the United States. Over time, this ancient seabed became a rich collecting ground for a wide profile of rare earth minerals. As the Sundance Sea retreated, these minerals hardened and crystallized.
Early Paleogene
About 60 million years ago, a volcanic eruption deposited ash over the Redmond mineral deposit. This layer of ash formed a natural, protective cap which further preserved the minerals below. The volcanic ash weathered to become a nourishing layer of bentonite clay. Because clay particles naturally attract and retain ions and nutrients from their surroundings, the Redmond clay deposit became imbued with the rich, deep sea minerals in its environment.
Central Utah, 1958-1960s
With their hand forced by a prolonged drought, Milo and Lamar Bosshardt abandoned their farming pursuits. The brothers knew Native Americans had once harvested salt from the area, and began hand harvesting salt from their land to provide for their families.
Local governments began to notice that the special mineral salt from Redmond, Utah melted ice and snow more effectively than traditional white salt. The Bosshardt brothers began marketing Redmond’s mineral salt as a premium road deicer, and Ice Slicer was born.
Modern Day Redmond, Utah
The Redmond mineral and clay deposit has become a bustling operation for the ever expanding Redmond family of products. Today, many industries enjoy our profile of over 60 trace minerals.
Redmond is proud of our special geological history, and takes our environmental stewardship seriously. Our mine and its facilities are 99% powered by solar energy and we love to offer all natural products to nourish the world from the ground up.
• Click to see how this geological history gave Ice Slicer the unique chemical and physical qualities to outperform other salts
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