Trucks line up for hours in search of salt from Goderich mine

Goderich’s salt mine is working overtime to alleviate a shortage across the province amid treacherous winter weather. CTV’s Scott Miller reports.

More than 100 trucks were lined up outside the Goderich salt mine on Monday, stretching all the way up North Harbour Road onto Highway 21.

Locals say it’s been like this for weeks, as the province grapples with a salt shortage. The mine, the largest in the world, is shipping de-icing salt as quickly as they can mine it these days thanks to one of the most severe winters in a decade.

“With the significant impact of winter weather compared to recent seasons, the entire road salt supply chain continues to experience high demand for deicing salt. At Compass Minerals, we are actively working to fulfill all current orders, prioritizing shipments for our municipal clients,” said Compass Minerals, owners of the Goderich salt mine, in a statement.

Goderich’s salt mine produces more than seven million tons of salt each year but has the capacity to mine nine million tons. In 2024, Compass curtailed production of salt to “align inventory with business conditions,” which means instead of having huge stockpiles of salt sitting in inventory, they decided to produce salt more on an as needed basis.

It’s needed now, as de-icing salt has quickly become the most valuable commodity this winter.

“We got 33 skids in yesterday, and I’m down to 12 already. So, there’s 56 bags on a skid,” said Christine MacDonald, manager at a local Home Hardware store.

“In November, prices were 132 a ton. We’re up to 290 a ton, now. So, the overall price is about a 220 per cent increase from where it was originally,” said John Tamasovics, owner of CGM Landscapes and Winter Maintenance.

The trucks, trains, and boats loading salt in Goderich are dealing mostly with municipalities who are also talking about curtailing, or at least closely monitoring their salt supplies, as they try to keep roads passable during one of the toughest winters in years.

Without sharing specifics, Compass says they’re ramping up production as best they can to meet the constant and growing demand for their granules of snow melting magic.

“We are focused on moving product as efficiently as possible, while also maximizing daily output from our Goderich mine to ensure optimal, full-season inventory availability across our network. We remain committed to serving all our valued customers in Ontario and all markets that we serve,” said Compass Minerals.

Salt users are also doing their best, knowing salt is at a premium this winter.

“We’ll make it through. It’s just going to be a struggle. We will try to keep things efficient, and be proactive with our salt usage,” said Tamasovics.