Inexhaustible reserves of rock salt are available in Salt Range, Punjab. Rock salt deposits in Punjab are available in the Billianwala Salt Marl Member (the lower most member of Salt Range Formation of Pre-Cambrian age). The Salt is exposed along the southern escarpment of Salt Range from Khewra (Jhelum) to Kalabagh (Mianwali). Main salt mines are installed at Kalabagh (Mianwali), Warcha (Khushab), Noorpur (Nila Wahan, Chakwal) and Khewra (Jhelum). Several salt seams are available in the Salt Range Formation, some of them are as much as 20-25 meters, exceptionally up to 90 meters thick. Seams are generally separated by beds of red marl. Salt is white to pink in color.
Estimated total reserves of Rock Salt Mineral in Punjab are 25-30 billion M.Tons in whole 6000 Sq. Kilometers of salt range (30 x 200 Km), with total annual production of almost 03 million Tons. Rock salt has an extended range of uses i.e. domestic (Edible Salt), Chemical Industry: Soda Ash, Caustic Soda, Pharmaceuticals and Decoration Pieces & export.
Role of Punjmin in Salt Mining
The (PUNJMIN) is an autonomous body working under Mines & Minerals Department, Government of the Punjab, Pakistan, which was established under the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation Act No. XXXIII of 1975 and it has the mandate for minerals development in the province of Punjab. It has been actively involved in exploration, development, exploitation and sale/Marketing of various minerals in Punjab since its inception in 1975.
PUNJMIN is carrying out rock salt mining successfully since three decades at its nine (9) rock salt mining leases located in district, Mianwali, Khushab, Jhelum and Chakwal with the average daily production of 1500-2000 tons of salt, for onward supply to the National Industry, meeting the raw material requirement of the chemical industry of the country along with table salt and decoration pieces etc.
PUNJMIN has planned to engage the Firm(s) /Company(ies) / Consortium/ Individual(s)having sufficient relevant experience of mine development and/or mine operation along with sound financial health, through a competitive bidding process to meet the increasing demand of rock salt in the coming years.