Where is Himalayan Salt Manufactured? A Deep Dive into Its Origins

November 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 800 million years ago, ancient seas evaporated, leaving behind vast, pure salt deposits that would eventually become the world-famous Himalayan salt. Far from the highest peaks, this beloved pink salt is manufactured not in a factory, but through careful mining and processing primarily in Pakistan's Punjab region.

Quick Summary

The majority of Himalayan salt is sourced from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan's Salt Range, not the high Himalayas. Hand-mined using traditional 'room and pillar' methods, the salt crystals are then sorted, washed, and processed for various culinary and non-dietary uses.

Key Points

Sourced in Pakistan: The vast majority of Himalayan salt originates from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan's Punjab region, not the high Himalayas.
Ancient Sea Bed Deposits: The salt was formed over 800 million years ago from the evaporation of ancient seas, with geological shifts burying the deposits under rock layers.
Hand-Mined Process: Extraction is done by hand using the sustainable 'room and pillar' method, which preserves the mine's structure and the salt's crystal integrity.
Minimally Processed: After mining, the salt is minimally processed through sorting, washing, and crushing, without the extensive refining and additives of table salt.
Trace Minerals: The signature pink hue comes from trace minerals like iron oxide, which are present in small, nutritionally insignificant amounts.
Versatile Uses: Besides culinary applications, the salt is also used for decorative lamps, cooking blocks, and spa treatments.

Himalayan Salt's True Source: The Khewra Salt Mine

Despite its name, Himalayan salt manufactured products do not come from the Himalayan mountain range itself. The vast majority of this popular mineral is mined exclusively from the Khewra Salt Mine, located in the foothills of the Salt Range in the Punjab region of Pakistan. This world-renowned mine is the second-largest in the world and has been a significant source of salt for centuries. The region's unique geological history, with ancient sea beds being compressed and thrust upward by tectonic activity, is responsible for the salt deposits, which are shielded from modern-day pollutants by layers of rock.

The Meticulous Mining and Processing Process

The extraction of Himalayan salt is a labor-intensive and deliberate process designed to maintain the salt's purity and crystalline structure. The mining operation at Khewra follows a traditional and sustainable method known as 'room and pillar'.

Extraction: Only about 50% of the salt is harvested from each 'room' within the mine. The remaining 50% is left in place as pillars to provide structural support for the mountain, ensuring the mine's longevity and safety.
Manual Labor: While some machinery is used for initial access, the actual extraction of the salt blocks is done by hand using traditional tools. This slow and careful process prevents damage to the delicate crystal structure that makes Himalayan salt so distinctive. Explosives are not used inside the mine to protect the salt's integrity.
Processing: After the raw salt rocks are brought to the surface, they are transported to processing facilities. Here, they undergo a series of stages: sorting by color and purity, washing to remove surface impurities, and crushing into various grain sizes. This processing can also involve carving the salt into blocks for cooking or creating decorative lamps.

Comparing Himalayan and Table Salt Production

Understanding the manufacturing—or, more accurately, the mining and processing—differences highlights the unique qualities of Himalayan salt compared to its common counterpart.


Feature	Himalayan Salt	Table Salt
Origin	Mined from ancient Khewra Salt Mine deposits in Pakistan's Salt Range.	Typically sourced from underground deposits or evaporated seawater.
Processing	Minimally processed and hand-extracted to maintain natural mineral content and crystalline structure.	Extensively processed and refined to remove trace minerals and impurities.
Composition	96-99% sodium chloride, with trace minerals like iron, potassium, and magnesium.	Often 99% or more sodium chloride.
Additives	Generally free of additives, though some fine-grain varieties may contain anti-caking agents.	Frequently includes iodine supplementation and anti-caking agents.
Color	Pinkish hue comes from iron oxide and other trace minerals.	Pure white due to bleaching and refining processes.

The Journey from Mine to Market

The journey for Himalayan salt begins deep underground in the Khewra mine, a historic and significant location in Pakistan. After extraction, the salt is transported out of the mine using a narrow-gauge railway installed by the British in the 19th century. From there, large blocks are sent to local facilities where they are crushed, cleaned, and packaged for distribution. Some of the salt is also carved into lamps, candle holders, and cooking blocks by local artisans. While the raw salt is exported globally, it is the initial mining and processing in Pakistan that defines its origin and natural state.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Natural Extraction

Far from a modern manufacturing plant, the journey of Himalayan salt is a story of natural geology and time-honored mining traditions. Its sourcing from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan is a testament to its ancient origins and the dedicated process used to preserve its unique properties. The minimal processing and hand-extraction methods are what truly define how Himalayan salt is manufactured, making it a product revered for its natural state and rich history. While the name may be misleading, its genuine origins and the careful journey it takes from the earth to the dinner table are well-documented and provide valuable insight into this mineral treasure.

Visit the official site of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation for more information on the Khewra Salt Mine.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, despite its name, Himalayan salt is mined exclusively from the Khewra Salt Mine located in the foothills of the Salt Range in Pakistan's Punjab region, which is hundreds of kilometers away from the main Himalayan mountain range.

The Khewra Salt Mine is located in the Jhelum District of Pakistan's Punjab province, situated in the Salt Range of the Pothohar Plateau.

The salt is extracted manually using the traditional 'room and pillar' method, which involves harvesting half of the salt from a chamber while leaving the other half as supporting pillars. Explosives are not used during the extraction to preserve the crystal structure.

The distinctive pink color comes from the trace minerals present in the salt, particularly iron oxide. The concentration of these minerals varies, resulting in different shades of pink, orange, or even reddish-brown.

Nutritionally, Himalayan salt is very similar to table salt, consisting of 96-99% sodium chloride. The trace minerals are present in such small quantities that they are unlikely to provide significant health benefits, and regular table salt is often fortified with essential iodine.

Himalayan salt is minimally processed and hand-extracted to preserve its natural form and minerals, while table salt is extensively refined and stripped of most of its natural minerals, often with anti-caking agents added.

Beyond culinary use, Himalayan salt is used for decorative salt lamps, cooking blocks and platters, bath soaks, and spa treatments. The decorative and therapeutic claims, however, are not widely supported by scientific evidence.