The world's second-largest salt mine was discovered by a herd of thirsty horses

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Legend says Alexander the Great’s army stumbled upon the Khewra Salt Mine when their ailing horses began licking the mineral-rich stones. Today, this massive subterranean labyrinth in Pakistan produces hundreds of thousands of tons of pink salt annually and serves as an unlikely tourist destination featuring salt-brick mosques and bridges.

Located within the Salt Range of Pakistan's Pothohar Plateau, the Khewra Salt Mine is a geological marvel carved into Ediacaran to early Cambrian evaporites. These ancient salt deposits were thrust southward during the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The mine itself is a sprawling network covering 110 square kilometers, with tunnels extending 730 meters into the mountain. Inside, the environment remains a stable 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, housing nineteen stories, eleven of which are situated underground.

The mine's industrial history is as layered as its geology. While salt was traded here during the Mughal era, it was the British mining engineer H. Warth who modernized the site in 1872. He introduced systematic excavation techniques, including the use of lathes to carve salt into decorative items, and addressed dangerous working conditions. Today, the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation manages the site, which produces over 350,000 tons of high-purity halite each year. With reserves estimated between 82 million and 600 million tons, the mine is expected to remain productive for centuries.

Beyond its industrial output, the mine has become a significant cultural and tourist hub. Visitors travel deep into the tunnels via a narrow-gauge railway to see attractions like the Sheesh Mahal, a chamber of light-pink crystals, and the Badshahi Masjid, a mosque constructed entirely from multi-colored salt bricks. The site also functions as a center for research and community welfare, hosting a survey institute and a clinical ward dedicated to salt therapy for respiratory conditions. Despite facing challenges like flooding and water quality disputes, the mine remains a vital landmark, currently recognized on the UNESCO tentative list for World Heritage status.

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