Mining of Pink Salt from Pakistan

Pink salt is a type of rock salt (halite) that has gained worldwide popularity in recent years due to its several advantages over normaltable salt. It is well-known not only for dietary purposes but also for a variety of non-dietary ones. The crystal structure of Himalayan salt, as well as its pinkish colour, distinguishes it from other salts.

It includes trace minerals including potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as up to 98 per cent sodium chloride. It’s utilized in spa and wellness treatments in addition to being a food ingredient and finishing salt for presenting meals. Let’s look at the Himalayan salt’s origins, as well as where and how it’s mined.



Pakistan is the source of salt resources.

Pink salt is a mineral-rich salt that may be traced back to ancient sea salt reserves deep in the Punjab area of Pakistan, which have been preserved for centuries beneath the rugged mountain peaks. Under extreme pressure, the lava has stayed on top of it. It has stayed pollutant-free and impurity-free as a result of this. Although its name suggests that it originates from the pristine environment, the truth is that the Pink salt is obtained hundreds of kilometres distant from this mountain range, mainly from salt mines in the Salt Range, a hill chain in Pakistan’s Himalayan foothills. Because Pink salt in Pakistan is the world’s only supply of rock salt, it’s also known as Pakistan salt.



Salt Mining

The Khewra salt mines in Punjab, Pakistan, are where pink salt is mined. The Pakistani Salt Minerals are in the form of orange pink-coloured rock crystals (which can also be off-white or transparent) that have been recovered from ancient salt deposits that are approximately 250 million years old.

The history of Pink salt extends back to Alexander’s forces discovering it around 320 BC, but it rose to prominence during the Mughal era. Dr H. Warth, a mining engineer, built the main tunnel at ground level during British control in 1872. The mine was taken up by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation when the country gained independence.

The Pink salt in the khewra mine is the country’s largest supply of salt, producing more than 350,000 tonnes of 99 per cent pure halite each year. The mine’s salt reserves are expected to range between 82 million and 600 million tonnes.

The mine reaches around 730 meters (2440 feet) into the mountains from the entrance, with a total tube length of roughly 40 kilometres (25 miles). Throughout the year, the temperature within the mine is around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F). It is expected that the combined salt deposits will last for hundreds of years.



Salt Extraction

The “Room and Pillar” (also known as “Dome and Pillar”) architectural system was created by the British in the early 1800s to mine salt. This approach assures the mines’ safety. Only half of the salt in each of the mine’s “rooms” is collected and removed. To retain the framework of the chambers and the mountain, the remaining 50% is left as pillars.



Explosives Used in Salt Mining?

The use of explosives or dynamite is frequently considered. Explosives are solely employed to speed up the opening of the mine entrance (this process existed more than a hundred years ago for all the mines in the salt range).

All Pink salt is mined by hand using traditional, well-established processes. The use of explosives within the mine is discouraged to maintain the crystal structure of the salt and to preserve natural salt lamp near me the environment, despite the fact that it is a slow procedure.



Himalyan Salt Variations

Large blocks of salt are gathered during mining and then processed into various grain sizes and shapes at production plants.

Fine Pink salt contains fine, evenly-shaped grains that are firmly packed and can be accurately measured, making it ideal for when an exact amount of salt is required.
Large salt crystals may be found in Coarse Pink salt. This crystalline salt is mostly used in grinders to provide a quick way to mill Himalayan salt straight onto various meals.
Large slabs of salt cut into little blocks of salt are used for frying and grilling a variety of dishes.


Mining for salt has a negative impact on the environment.

It is an important commercial item that benefits the country’s economy. As a result, correct standards are adhered to avoid any mishaps. The authorities ensure that mining is carried out following all established environmental regulations and procedures. Environmentally friendly mining techniques are used in mining operations to protect the environment. To avoid the dangers of explosives, mining is done entirely by hand.

There is little evidence that pink salt mining has a significant detrimental influence on wild and plant life. Proper drainage procedures are employed to keep surface and ground waters from being harmed by the release of polluted water.

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