The future of the Saltworks
Swiss Saltworks guarantees independent and reliable supplies of salt for Switzerland on a basis of solidarity. To fulfil this mission for the 26 cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein sustainably, it regularly collects geological data about salt deposits in Switzerland.
Switzerland's salt deposits
Switzerland's salt was gifted to us by the primordial ocean that evaporated 200 million years ago. It left behind layers of salt up to 50 metres thick in north-western Switzerland, the Jura and the Swiss Plateau. Salt deposits that originally came from the south of today's Alps also exist in the canton of Vaud, or rather in the Rhône Valley. The salt extracted from these will be sufficient to supply Switzerland for centuries.
Swiss Saltworks' salt production
The salt processed at the Bex saltworks comes from the rocks surrounding the salt mine. At the Riburg and Schweizerhalle saltworks, Swiss Saltworks produces salt from nearby underground deposits in Möhlin (AG) and Muttenz (BL).
New mining areas in north-western Switzerland
In the canton of Aargau, explorations are currently underway with the aim of developing a new brine field to the west of Wallbach, known as the Nordfeld. In the franchise area of the canton of Basel-Landschaft, Swiss Saltworks is evaluating further areas in terms of suitability – these are currently the Röseren area above Frenkendorf and Liestal.
You can also find regularly updated information and news about mining plans on our neighbourhood blog at saline.ch.
Cantons have extended their franchises
The extraction franchises with the cantons of Aargau and Basel-Landschaft create planning security for Swiss Saltworks. However, they do not automatically entitle the company to extract salt. Each individual mining project requires an extensive licensing procedure. In 2021, the canton of Aargau extended Swiss Saltworks' salt mining franchises to the year 2075. In 2024, the extraction franchise with the canton of Basel-Landschaft was extended for another 50 years until 2075.
Geological surveys and seismic measurements
A further essential basis for planning safe and environmentally friendly extraction projects is the conduct of scientific investigations of the local geology and hydrogeology. For this purpose, Swiss Saltworks carries out seismic measurements and also sinks individual boreholes at selected points.
Swiss Saltworks takes responsibility
Swiss Saltworks' forward-looking planning includes not only future but existing brine fields. A site-specific follow-up and monitoring concept sets forth Swiss Saltworks' obligations after the pumping stations' active operating phase has ended. With this approach, the company ensures that the operation, aftercare and dismantling of the equipment needed to extract the salt are financed and that adequate protection against liability risks is in place.
