Crossword Genius

Society finds alternative fund for underground business sourcing white crystalline substance (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

salt mine

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'society' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'alternative fund for underground business sourcing white crystalline substance' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'business' could be 'm' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'm' is found in the answer.
'substance' could be 'saltine' (saltine is a kind of substance) and 'saltine' is found within the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'finds' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for salt mine that I've seen before include "Excavation" , "Source of flavouring" , "Deep pit containing a white substance" , "Ailments (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and The Irish Times.
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