The Trona Salt Mine is located in a protected area of the Northern Gulf of Mexico for this reason mining of the salt must be sustainable. While this makes mining more difficult, there are many reasons to ensure sustainability. This includes placing limits on how, where, and amount of salt mined.

The critical need to ensure the mine is sustainable is influenced by several factors. The mine holds an important economic value for the region; salt is extracted for medicine, glass making, car batteries, and can serve as a saltlick for cattle. Likewise, the protected area of the northern gulf including the salt mine is culturally significant to the tohono o'odham people as this salt flat serves as an area where young men must walk through as a rite of passage. Additionally, the mine and surrounding protected environment are home to a wealth of biodiversity including migratory birds like the Great Blue Herron (which had built nests at the site), coyotes, squirrels, jack rabbits, and other desert animals.

The mine if not exploited is a renewable resource. Estimates say it takes approximately 3 years to replenish areas with mined salt. Formed 1.5 meters under the ground where fresh water from the aquifer is mixed with salt water from the ocean, this process results in the formation of the salt which is mined from the surface. Also found under the ground are small pockets of freshwater which form artisan wells, these wells push fresh water to the surface in certain areas providing food and water for the animals that live in these otherwise harsh conditions.

I enjoyed our trip to the mines learning about this resource and it's role in the economy of the northern gulf was very educational.

Hillary P.