Khewra Salt Mines

Did you know?

Khewra Salt Mines is the 2nd largest salt mine in the world & attracts approx. 40,000 visitors per year. The only oldest salt mines in South Asia was discovered by the horses of "Alexandar, The Great" and salt has been mined at Khewra since 320 BC in an underground area of about 110 sq. km.

Situated in the foothills of the Salt Range, Khewra salt mine has estimated total of 220 million tones of rock salt deposits. The current production from the mine is 325,000 tons salt per annum.

The mine-head buildings have 19 stories, with 11 below ground. Only 50% salt is extracted and 50% is left as pillers to keep the mountain. The salt-mine is 288 meters above sea level and extends around 730 meters inside the mountains from the mine-mouth. The cumulative length of all tunnels is more than 40 km. Visitors get guides for a walk tour of an hour or so through the visitors allowed storey of mines with all information and history of Khewra Salt Mines.

Salt occurs in a Pre-Cambrian deposit in the form of an irregular dome like structure. There are seven thick salt seams with a cumulative thickness of about 150 meters. At places the rock salt is 99% pure. Salt is transparent, white, pink, reddish to beef-color red. There are beautiful alternate bands of red and white color salt.

Salt-made attractions like Post office, cafe, cyber-cafe, mosque, salt-lake & Mirror-House (Sheesh Mahal) are the most prominent through the tunnel a visitor come across during their tour.