The territory of what is now Salinas was the place of residence of the pre-Inca populations Tomabelas and Puruhaes and after the conquest of the Incas, it was they who came to reside.

   Thus, these mines belonged to the chieftain of the Tomabelas in the middle of the Inca period. On this site, almost all the surrounding chieftains had access to the resource through their delegations and counting on the guardianship of a Puruhá chieftain.

   With the arrival of the Spanish conquerors the territory was reorganized on the hacienda system (late 17th and early 18th century), the indigenous and mestizos were forced to lend labor to the landowner in exchange for a small plot of land. land and access to some basic services. Until the years 1960-1970, the exploitation of these salt mines was the main economic activity of the inhabitants of that time, complemented by the agricultural work in the small plots and an incipient livestock activity until the end of the 60s. Performed in the surrounding markets in the form of barter, changing the salt for legumes, grain, fruits, etc.

   The population was officially constituted in 1884, during the government of José María Placido Caamaño. It contemplates two creation dates, the first on May 29 and the second on April 23, 1884.

   In the 70s, volunteers from Operation Mato Grosso and the Salesian Mission arrived through the curia, mainly thanks to the efforts of Monsignor Candido Rada. The population began to prosper little by little through the impulse of cooperativism, with which numerous community-based microenterprises were established, including the cheese factory, the savings cooperative, the artisan association, the UNORSAL (Union of Organizations from Salinas), who were among the first organizations in the community. Subsequently, UNORSAL constitutes a foundation for legal reasons and is now called FUNORSAL.

   This community began its socioroganizational development back in the 70s, with the arrival of Fr. Antonio Polo, Salesian, who has been the manager of this development initiative. Today, this development process is supported by the native inhabitants of Salinas, who have appropriated their process and are the mainstays that support this unique, pioneering and exemplary experience.