Sink works orsinkworks (from GermanSinkwerke) is a method ofsalt mining from salt deposits in mountainous areas. It is similar tobrine wells in that salt was extracted by dissolving it in water. Both approaches simulate naturalbrine springs. It is one of the earliest methods of salt extraction fromsalt domes.[1][2]
Asinkwerk is a chamber in a salt mine filled with water to dissolve salt. The resultingbrine is then pumped viabrine pipelines tosaltworks.[3]
This approach is commonly used when salt deposits are heavily contaminated (or, alternatively, when salt content in the deposit is low), so that mining ofrock salt is not feasible.[4] This method is common in most salt mines inAlps, where the saltrock-mudrock-tectonite known asHaselgebirge is widespread, with averagehalite content of 30-65%.[5]
In industrial cases, a complex structure of underground chambers interconnected by tunnels is created.
 | This article about mining is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
