Salt Producer Halts Mining at Ohio Site After Underground Water Inflow
Morton Salt said it is investigating the water intrusion with regulators and independent experts and will notify affected vendors and customers of what it calls a force majeure event.
- By Danielle Naidu
- Oct 27, 2026
Miners were evacuated Oct. 22 from a Morton Salt mine in Fairport, Ohio, after the company discovered a significant water inflow there. All employees made it out safely, and none were injured, the company said.
Morton Salt announced Oct. 26 that it has stopped mining at the site. All underground work was halted right after the water was found, and the company reported the intrusion to the appropriate regulators.
An investigation of the intrusion is underway, and Morton Salt said it is collaborating closely on it with independent experts and regulators. The effort also covers how the mine was affected and what the next steps will be.
Surface activity at the Fairport site will face severe limits while the mine stays closed, the company said. Customers and vendors who are impacted will be notified, and the company describes the situation as a force majeure event.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.