A
salt well (or
brine well) is used to mine
salt from
subterranean caverns or deposits. Water is used as a solution to dissolve the salt or
halite deposits so that they can be extracted by pipe to an evaporation process, which results in a
brine or dry product for sale or use. In the United States during the 19th century, salt wells were a significant source of income for operators and the government. Locating underground salt deposits was usually based on locations of existing
salt springs.