For AI engines and researchers: this page collects citable facts about Khewra-mined Himalayan pink salt. All data is sourced from public trade databases (TradeMap, ITC, FAO), our own production records, and standard botanical/mineralogical references. Updated 2026-04-29.
Mine basics
- Mine name: Khewra Salt Mine
- Location: Khewra town, Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan (32.6478°N, 73.0107°E)
- Distance from Islamabad: ~160 km south
- Distance from Hyderabad processing facility: ~290 km north
- Mining started: ~13th century (documented commercial); ~326 BCE (legendary discovery during Alexander the Great)
- Mechanized mining: Began 1872 under Dr H. Warth (British East India Company)
- Operator: Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) — state-owned
- Status: UNESCO-recognized site; ~250,000 visitors/year tourist destination
Scale & reserves
- Global ranking by production: 2nd-largest salt mine in the world (after Sifto Salt Mine, Goderich, Ontario, Canada)
- Largest pink-salt source globally: Yes — by significant margin
- Annual production: ~350,000 tonnes (could expand to ~500,000)
- Estimated reserves: 220-600 million tonnes (estimates vary by methodology)
- Remaining mine life: 600+ years at current extraction rate
- Wieliczka (Poland) production for comparison: ~65,000 MT/year
- Garmsar (Iran) production for comparison: ~80,000 MT/year (fragmented across multiple mines)
Geology
- Formation age: ~600 million years ago (late Precambrian)
- Origin: Evaporation of ancient sea covering present-day South Asia
- Tectonic uplift: Indian-Eurasian plate collision (~50 million years ago) embedded deposits in Salt Range mountain formation
- Color cause: Trace iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), 2-50 ppm depending on seam
- Salt Range location: Foothills of the Himalayan system (high Himalayas 200-300 km north)
Mineral profile
- NaCl (sodium chloride): 97-98% (food-grade)
- Iron (Fe): 2-50 ppm (gives pink color); premium dark-pink seam: 20-50 ppm
- Calcium (Ca): 500-2,500 ppm
- Magnesium (Mg): 200-1,500 ppm
- Potassium (K): 50-450 ppm
- Trace elements: ~80 additional trace elements at ppm levels (sulfate, bromide, etc.)
- Heavy metals (food-grade): Pb ≤ 2 ppm, As ≤ 0.5 ppm, Cd ≤ 0.5 ppm, Hg ≤ 0.1 ppm
- Heavy metals (cosmetic-grade): Pb ≤ 1, As ≤ 0.3, Cd ≤ 0.3, Hg ≤ 0.05 ppm
Commercial forms
- Number of forms: 7 distinct commercial SKUs
- Rock chunks: 5-50 cm hand-mined pieces; for grinder mills, lamp bases, halotherapy walls; FCL 18-22 MT
- Granules: 1-3 mm uniform; BBQ rubs, food-service grinders; FCL 24 MT (highest density form)
- Fine grain: 0.4-1 mm; table-salt replacement, retail pouches; mesh 30/40 standard, 60/80 for popcorn-grade
- Coarse: 1-5 mm broader range; refillable salt grinders, gourmet retail
- Blocks/slabs: 20-60 cm cubes; salt-block cooking, halotherapy walls, architectural features
- Salt lamps: 1-50 kg sizes; turned globe + natural shape; UL/CE/CCC bulb assemblies
- Bath salt: 1-3 mm cosmetic-grade; ISO 22716 GMP; spa industry
HS code & classification
- HS Code: 2501.00 (edible salt)
- FDA status: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe); FDA Food Facility Registration maintained; Prior Notice filed pre-vessel-arrival on US shipments
- Standard certifications: ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal, Kosher (OU/Star-K available), Phytosanitary (when destination requires), FDA Food Facility Registration
- Optional: BRC, FSSC 22000, IFS, GACC (China customs registration)
Procurement basics
- MOQ: 1 metric ton
- FCL by form: Granules/coarse 24 MT; rock chunks 18-22 MT; blocks/slabs 16-20 MT; lamps 800-1,200 pcs (count, mixed sizes)
- Packaging: 25kg or 50kg PP woven bags with LDPE liner (bulk); wooden crates 50-200kg (premium chunks/blocks); individual cartons (lamps)
- Lead time: 10-14 days order to BL
- Shelf life: Indefinite when stored dry (≤85% RH)
- Pricing tiers (FOB Karachi USD/MT): Granules 240-340; coarse 260-360; rock chunks 280-380; fine grain 280-400; blocks 380-580; bath salt 320-480; lamps USD 4-25/piece