1. Understanding the Composition of The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Its high salinity and mineral content make it a prime source for extracting valuable minerals. The lake's waters contain a mix of salts, including sodium chloride (table salt), potassium, magnesium, and lithium.
2. Brine Extraction
The first step in the mineral extraction process is the collection of brine from the lake. Brine is water saturated with salt. In the case of the Great Salt Lake, this brine is rich in various dissolved minerals. Large pumps and canals are used to draw the brine into evaporation ponds.
3. Evaporation
Once the brine is collected, it is channeled into large, shallow evaporation ponds. The primary purpose of these ponds is to leverage the natural process of evaporation. Utah's arid climate, with its high temperatures and low humidity, is ideal for this. Over time, the water in the ponds evaporates, leaving behind concentrated mineral salts.
4. Harvesting the Minerals
As the water evaporates, different salts crystallise at different stages due to their varying solubility. Sodium chloride precipitates first, followed by other salts such as potassium and magnesium. This selective precipitation allows for the targeted harvesting of specific mineral concentrates that facilitates the creation of MRI's proprietary ionic mineral products.