Khewra is a small city located in the Jhelum district of Pakistan. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and for being the second most populated city in Jhelum. One of the main attractions of this city is the Khewra Salt Mine, which is the second-largest salt mine in the world. In this article, we will explore Khewra and the salt mine in detail.
Khewra Salt Mine:
The Khewra Salt Mine is the most popular attraction in the city. It was established in 1876 and is located in an administrative subdivision of Jhelum. It is the second-largest salt mine in the world and produces over 350,000 tons of salt per year.
History of Khewra Salt Mine:
According to legend, the Khewra Salt Mine was discovered by Alexander the Great’s horse, which licked the stones and exposed the salt.
However, the mine was founded by Dr. H. Warth, a mining engineer, in 1872. After Pakistan’s independence, the mine was under the control of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation.
Features of Khewra Salt Mine:
The Khewra Salt Mine is about 40 km in length and consists of 19 stories, 11 of which are below ground level. The mine has an estimated reserve of 82 million to 600 million tons of salt.
The salt extracted from the mine contains trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfate, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, and lead.
Uses of Khewra Salt:
The Khewra Salt is used for various purposes such as cooking, bathing, and as a raw material in many industries. Salt is also used to make decorative items such as vases, ashtrays, lamps, and statues. These decorative items are exported to India, the US, and many European countries.
Tourism in Khewra:
Khewra is considered a tourist city of Jhelum, mainly because of the Khewra Salt Mine. The mine attracts almost 250,000 visitors each year. Tourists can take a tour of the mine and learn about its history, features, and uses.
There are also many souvenir shops where visitors can buy decorative items made from salt.
Conclusion
Khewra is a small city with a rich cultural heritage and is known for the Khewra Salt Mine. The mine is the second-largest salt mine in the world and attracts many tourists each year.
The salt extracted from the mine is used for various purposes such as cooking, bathing, and as a raw material in many industries. The decorative items made from salt are also exported to many countries.