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Discoveries of rock salt deposits, an underground treasure with the same DNA as sea salt, promise to revolutionize mining in Brazil
Revolution in mining: The discovery of the largest rock salt deposit in Latin America, located in the north of Espírito Santo, was made by Petrobras in the 1970s, during drilling in search of oil. Despite being auctioned, this deposit was never explored. The Legislative Assembly of Espírito Santo informs that the deposit was discovered near Conceição da Barra, revealing large quantities of salts, including rock salt.
By fate, or by nature itself, over time, the mining company, now extinct, discovered the largest deposit of rock salt in Brazil, containing 54% of the estimated reserves in the country, with almost 20 billion tons. Since then, quilombos and environmental activists have warned state authorities about the possible environmental impacts of extracting this mineral.
What is ROCK SALT? What is it for, how is it formed and where is it found? Find out everything about this ore!
Rock Salt: An Underground Treasure with the Same DNA as Sea Salt
Literally coming from the earth, or rather, beneath it, rock salt has the same “DNA” (sodium chloride) as its better-known “brother”, sea salt, generally transformed into table salt
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Literally coming from the earth, or rather, underneath it, rock salt has the same “DNA” (sodium chloride) as its better-known “brother”, sea salt, generally transformed into table salt. The difference is in the way it is formed – the seasoning we consume daily generally comes from the sea and arises from the evaporation of water dammed by humans.
This process is extremely faster compared to the formation of the “older brother”, also known as fossil salt. In this case, evaporation and the formation of rocks began 120 million years ago, with the deposition of salt, explains Paulo de Tarso Ferro de Oliveira Fortes, professor at the Department of Geology at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (Ufes). The layers took around 500 years to form naturally.
According to the geologist, rock salt is found all over the world. The rocks discovered in the state are in layers up to 2 thousand meters deep and are of good purity. While sea salt is mainly used for human and animal consumption, rock salt, which exists in larger quantities, is mainly used in the chemical industry.mining
It is a versatile raw material, used in the manufacture of chlorine, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate; in the composition of pharmaceutical products; in the paper, cellulose and glass industries; and in hygiene products, such as soap, detergent and toothpaste. It is also used in water treatment and in the textile and military industries.
Rock salt is a rock composed primarily of halite (NaCl) and should not be confused with potassium salt (KCl), generally used to produce fertilizers.mining
Extraction mining
Extraction is carried out in two ways: when the layers are more superficial and horizontal, the salt is mined with machinery underground. In deeper forms, dissolution mining is used. “You make a well, inject water, the salt that is there is dissolved and you pump it back. Then it goes to a processing plant”, explains professor Paulo de Tarso. This is the suggested method for extracting the mineral from Espírito Santo soil, according to the final report presented by Petromisa at the time.
While sea water, which feeds salt pans, contains 30g of salt per liter, in brine through underground dissolution it is possible to reach 300g per liter, 10 times more. For every 3 cubic meters (3 thousand liters), you would have approximately 1 ton of salt contained in that brine.
Mining potential: It is the only deposit in the country close to the South-Southeast
The latent economic viability is undeniable. Reports carried out by Petromisa in the 1980s already indicated a large presence of soluble salt in 11 areas of the region. Based on this information, the former director general of the then National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM), Miguel Nery, estimates the volume of rock salt (between measured, indicated and inferred resources) at around 20 billion tons. mining
Salt imports in 2017, according to the ANM summary, totaled 757 thousand tons, representing US$ 30,2 million – the mineral comes mainly from the USA, China, Chile, Pakistan and Denmark. mining
Drilling wells to produce solid salt is the first step in exploring the deposits. The creation of a salt mine could also serve human and animal consumption, in addition to supplying chlorine-soda plants. One of Espírito Santo’s advantages would be the location of the reserves. It is the only deposit in the country close to the South-Southeast.
High quality Espírito Santo rock salt, combined with favorable logistics and potential reserves, can help the state compete in consumer markets.mining
I'd love to know if you already knew that Espírito Santo holds the largest deposit of rock salt in Latin America. Tell us in the comments section if you are a mining professional or similar. Don't forget to activate CPG notifications to keep up with all the news from Brazil and the world. To the next!
I have known about the deposit for many years, I hope that exploration begins as soon as possible, helping the growth of my city, bringing employment and income to the area so lacking in employment and better pay.
Dear Flávia, I am an administrator and would like to exchange information and look for ways to advance the extraction process from the deposit. If you want to contact me, my number is 27 988015229. Thank you for now.
Part of Maceió is sinking due to this type of mining...thousands of families have lost their homes, their memories...good luck