Hazzard visits salt mine to see impressive process of salt extraction ‘from mine to the road’

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has today visited the Irish Salt Mines in Carrickfergus to see first-hand the work undertaken to extract rock salt for distribution on the roads network in the north.

The Minister toured the mine where he was shown the cutting, extraction, drilling, filtering and crushing of the rock salt to prepare it for distribution on the roads.

Minister Hazzard said:

“The timely supply of salt is vital for ensuring the free flow of traffic on the main roads network in the north, especially during severe cold weather. To see at first-hand the complete process of just how that salt comes from the mine to our roads is impressive.”

The mine uses conventional room and pillar methods where the salt is cut, drilled and blasted from the faces, hauled to an underground crushing plant and then brought to surface storage sheds.

The Minister continued saying:

“Salting the main roads network is a key part of my department’s winter service programme and I am acutely aware of the collective effort it takes to keep this going each year. The gritting teams work tirelessly to ensure that the main roads network remains open to traffic by salting almost 7,000 kilometres of roads which caters for 80 per cent of all traffic. 

“My department has over 70,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled and 20,000 tonnes in reserves for salting which will help keep our people, goods and services moving over the winter months.”

Encouraging people to be winter safety aware the Minister concluded saying:

“Despite everyone’s best efforts there is no guarantee that roads will always be completely free of ice.

“For those using our roads, I urge you to take personal responsibility and pay attention. As always, my traffic-watch and road safety teams will also continue to offer advice and guidance via social media to all road users, to help the public prepare for winter driving conditions and plan their route.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or email: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
2. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.    
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