Khewra Salt Mine
Khewra Salt Mine is in vicinity of Pind Dadan Khan a town of district Jehlum. About 160 km from Islamabad and Lahore, it can be accessed via Motorway M-2. About 30 kilometers off the Lilla interchange while going towards Pind Dadan Khan on the Lilla Road. The mine is in mountains that are part of a salt range, a mineral-rich mountain system extending about 200 km from the Jehlum river. Khewra mine is about 288 meters (945 feet) above sea level and about 730 meters (2400 feet) into the mountain from the mine entrance. The underground mine covers an area of 110 km2 (43 sq. miles). The Khewra Salt Mine is also known as Mayo Salt Mine, in the honor of Lord Mayo, who visited it as Viceroy of India. The salt reserves at Khewra were discovered when Alexander the Great, crossed the Jehlum and Mianwali region during his Indian campaign. The mine was discovered, however, not by Alexander, nor by his allies, but by his army's horses, when they were found licking the stones. Ailing horses of his army also recovered after licking the rock salt stones. During the Mughal era the salt was traded in various markets, as far away as Central Asia. On the downfall of the Mughal empire, the mine was taken over by Sikhs.
