Monte Cali: a giant salt dump or a unique tourist attraction?

Every city, even the most unprepossessing, has something its residents are proud of. The city of Heringen in central Germany is no exception, as its main attraction is visible from afar. This is Mount Cali, a giant pile of sodium chloride, or, in other words, ordinary table salt. But behind its impressive size lies a serious environmental problem, which is only getting bigger year after year.

The history of Monte Cali began in 1976, when potash began to be mined in the Hesse region. This important raw material is used in the production of fertilizers, cosmetics, medicines, as well as in the manufacture of glass and synthetic rubber, which replaced natural rubber. Potash is mined in mines, but along with it, tons of a by-product are brought to the surface - table salt.

Initially, salt was stored near Heringen. At first, a small pile of salt did not cause any inconvenience. But with the expansion of the mines and the introduction of new technologies, the volumes of production increased. Accordingly, there was more waste. Thus, a mountain appeared in this area, which was popularly nicknamed Monte Kali and Kalimanjaro - a combination of the words "potassium salt" (Kalisalz) and the famous Mount Kilimanjaro.

By 2017, the mountain had reached a height of 530 meters above sea level and occupied an area of more than 100 hectares. It is visible from any point in Heringen, as well as from afar - several kilometers before the city. Tourists, having learned about this unusual object, began to come here to take pictures against the backdrop of snow-white slopes or climb to the top.

Monte Cali is truly impressive in its size. Experts estimate that the mountain weighs about 236 million tons, which is equivalent to the weight of 23,600 Eiffel Towers. Each year, its weight increases by 7.2 million tons, so this data quickly becomes outdated.

However, such a large-scale salt dump causes serious environmental problems. The mountain is located next to the Werra River and is surrounded by forests. Over time, rain washes away the salt deposits, and sodium chloride gets into the soil and water. As a result, the river has become salty, and the salt level in the soil has risen to critical values. This has a particularly strong effect on invertebrates: up to 100 species once lived in the vicinity of Heringen, and now there are only three left.

In addition, the winds carry salt from the mountain's surface, damaging the surrounding forests and farmland. Monte Cali has thus turned this part of Germany into an ecological disaster zone.

Despite the ecological difficulties, the mountain attracts tourists. The ascent to the top takes only 20 minutes, and from the top there is a magnificent view of the Werra River valley and the surroundings of Heringen. Snow-white slopes and impressive dimensions make Monte Cali a popular subject for photographs.

But behind the pretty pictures there are real problems. The potash industry is of great importance to the region: the mines provide thousands of jobs, and the companies that use potash depend on this raw material. Stopping production would mean jeopardizing the economy of the entire region. That is why Kali und Salz, the company that operates the mines, extended its mining license until 2060 in 2020. Moreover, it was allowed to increase the landfill area by another 25 hectares.

Monte Cali is the largest, but far from the only salt mountain in the Hesse region. There are other sodium chloride dumps near Heringen, although smaller. For this reason, the region has even received the unofficial name "Land of the White Mountains". The problem of salt disposal remains unsolved, since new technologies require significant investments and can affect the profitability of enterprises.

Monte Cali is both a symbol of industrial development and a source of serious environmental problems. On the one hand, the mines provide jobs for thousands of people. On the other, the region's nature suffers more and more. How do you think we can find a balance between preserving the environment and supporting the economy? Share your thoughts in the comments!