Relatively shallow salt mines were excavated in Solotvyno in mediaeval times; most of these collapsed and saline pools lie in their place. The name Solotvyno is derived from the Ukrainian name for salt. Deeper mines were dug between 1809 and 1975 abd reached a depth of over 400 metres. All are now disused and mostly flooded.
The mines were also used by the nearby hospital for speleotherapy treatment for asthmatics and others with breathing difficulties. There was also a small amount of tourism to the upper levels. It is not clear if either of these uses has continued to current times.