Deep under Cleveland, miners are digging up salt from the Whiskey Island salt mine, owned by Cargill, a food company. The mine helps supply road salt to the Northeast and Great Lakes areas, where a colder and snowier winter has increased demand.

Cargill spokesperson Emily Tangeman said many towns and cities have used up supplies that usually last until spring. She added workers have been working extra hours since September because the winter weather started early and continued for a long time.

The mine sits under Lake Erie and is one of the world’s largest salt mines. It produces about 3 to 4 million tons of salt every year, but that may still not be enough in very severe winters. The mine is about 550 meters underground and can be reached from Whiskey Island, near downtown Cleveland. Inside, there are long tunnels, white walls and ceilings, and large machines working in the dark. It started operating in the 1960s and works all year round.

George Campbell, a maintenance leader, explained that the mine keeps working with only short stops for repairs and that there is enough salt left to last for many years. Meanwhile, Cargill said it is sending salt first to the places that need it most.