(salt evaporation ponds) in Maras, Peru. Salt has been harvested in Maras since the time of the Inca Empire..Salineras de Maras, Peru. Salt has been mined in Maras since the time of the Inca Empire and is still in operation with 3,000 wells of 5 square meters (54 sq ft) each. The site is surrounded by salt mountains, and it is the groundwater from them that transports the salt to the wells, which comes to the surface thanks to evaporation due to the exposure of the wells to the sun.