A Mountain Built by Industry
Towering above the small German town of Heringen, a massive white mound dominates the landscape. Known as Monte Kali, this artificial mountain is made entirely of sodium chloride—common table salt. Since 1976, it has grown steadily as a byproduct of potash mining, a key local industry operated by the K+S chemical company. With salt dumped every hour, the mountain has become one of the most striking industrial landmarks in Germany.
Names with a Twist
The names “Monte Kali” and “Kalimanjaro” are local puns—Kali being shorthand for “Kalisalz” (potash), playfully referencing Monte Carlo and Kilimanjaro. The site is located near the border of Thuringia, close to the former inner German border with East Germany. A similar heap can be seen at nearby Philippsthal.
Millions of Tonnes and Still Growing
Monte Kali rises over 250 meters above the surrounding land, reaching 520 meters above sea level. By August 2016, it spanned 98 hectares and contained around 201 million tonnes of salt. K+S adds approximately 900 tonnes every hour, or 7.2 million tonnes each year.
Salt in the Soil and Streams
Environmental effects have been significant. The Werra River has shown chloride levels as high as 500 mg/L at Gerstungen. Groundwater salinity increased, and invertebrate species in affected zones dropped from over 60 to just three. K+S is licensed to continue dumping salt at the site until 2030.
Towering above the German town of Heringen is Monte Kali, a man-made mountain of salt.
Since 1976, this growing white giant has been built from the byproduct of potash mining. It looms 250 meters high and hides an ecological story still unfolding today…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/uvvmCmGPyL
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) April 23, 2025