Salt gathering in huge quarry (6)

I believe the answer is:

whaler

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'salt' is the definition.
(whaler is a kind of salt)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for whaler that I've seen before include "Tramp across Oz" , "The Pequod?" , "Occupation of Melville's Captain Ahab" , "Captain Ahab, e.g." , "boat carrying harpoons" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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