Salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) is an essential foodstuff (see below, 2.). Sufficient, regular intake of salt is a prerequisite of life for the human organism. The extraction of salt and its trade and distribution have therefore been of outstanding importance since prehistoric times. Historically known as “white gold,” table salt in particular was a valuable commodity (see below, 2.), and for many districts and regions, possession of salt deposits and production areas (Mineral deposits) guaranteed prosperity…