Casting salt pillars in Bilma

In Bilma, large pits are dug which are eventually filled with water. Through a cycle of water supply and vigorous evaporation, the water becomes very salty. A saline sludge forms at the bottom of the pits. This slush is picked up. The waste is mixed with crushed stone before it is all cast into moulds and dried in the sun. The rock mass is necessary to make the casting process work.

Negotiations with potential salt buyers.

Mamout has customers who, with an expert mine, assess the different types of salt pillars ("Kanu") before buying.
The large cone shaped pillars are called "Kanu". The smaller flat cake shaped are called "Kunkuru" (also "kantu" and "beza" from a Tuareg language).

Mixing salt sludge with crushed stone

The salty syrup is mixed with crushed stone before it is all cast into moulds and dried in the sun. The rock mass is necessary to make the casting process work.

Digging up salt sludge in Bilma

Mamout is partly submerged in salt, water and mud and picks up saline sludge from the bottom of the salt pool.

Digging up salt sludge in Bilma

Mamout is partly submerged in salt, water and mud and picks up saline sludge from the bottom of the salt pool.

Digging up salt sludge in Bilma

Mamout is partly submerged in salt, water and mud and picks up saline sludge from the bottom of the salt pool.

Digging up salt sludge in Bilma

Mamout is partly submerged in salt, water and mud and picks up saline sludge from the bottom of the salt pool.

Preparing to leave with salt pillars/cones

The salt pillars are packed well before they are loaded on to the camels.

Transporting today's salt purchase

The newly purchased salt pillars are transported down from the salt basins to the waiting caravans down in the "parking lot".

A seasoned caravan pilot in Bilma

The leader of one of the caravans who has come to Bilma to pick up salt.

A seasoned caravan pilot in Bilma

The leader of one of the caravans who has come to Bilma to pick up salt.

Transporting today's salt purchase

The newly purchased salt pillars are transported down from the salt basins to the waiting caravans down in the "parking lot".

Camel driver

A camel driver on a caravan coming with salt from Bilma.