Traditional tools (shovels, wheelbarrows), ovens made of clay (mud mass sometimes mixed with straw), firewood for their operation and motor mills are part of the rustic system of salt processing . Process by which and despite which 25,000 tons of salt are extracted annually.

The first step of salt processing is drying, which initially involves the formation of small mounds so that the sun can do its part of the work. At the same time, the extensive areas with these mounds become another tourist attraction of the Salt Desert Route.

Then the pre-dried salt is transferred to the wood ovens, where the drying is completed and iodine is added, which has been part of the national health policy since 1986 to prevent diseases such as goiter. and subsequently refined in small mills.

Finally, the ground salt must be packaged. Packaging is done manually, followed by fire sealing with kerosene or gas ovens. Generally, this last part of the process is carried out by local women workers.

Creativity is also very present, since some locals take part of the salt extracted and let their imagination take over to create handicrafts such as picture frames, jewelry boxes, animals such as llamas, toads and other accessories in which they capture the Andean landscapes.

Another way of "commercializing" salt is barter, which consists in exchanging products, such as salt for wool, corn or others. There are records of this activity in Aymara documents since 1612. Although the exchange was greater in the past, today it serves as a complement to the salt trade and allows many families to obtain the food necessary for their subsistence.
Source: salardeuyuni.es/visitas/colchani-y-su-fabrica-de-sal-historia-y-realidad-actual-visitar-colchani-hoy

Translated by Google •

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