Salt mine Khewra

Khewra salt mine is situated at a distance of 160 km from Islamabad and 260 from Lahore in Tehsil Pind Dadan khan District Jhelum.It has easy approach via Lahore-Islamabad motorway trough Lila interchange.Discovery of rock salt dates back to days of Alexander The Great. It was in the year 1872, when scientific mining operation started under the British rule. Dr Warth, a renowned engineer of UK, laid out the main tunnel under the ground level in 1872 to have an easy and direct approach to salt deposits. The new system introduced by Dr Warth is still in-vogue. there are 19 levels at present in the khewra mine with the systematic workings.Only 50% of the salt is excavated from the working seam while the remaining 50% is left as pillars. Khewra salt mine produces about 466000 tonnes salt per annum.

Khewra tourist resort

The main tunnel at ground level developed by Dr Warth in 1872, has been converted into tourist resort. Thousands of tourist visit khewra salt mine every year. They are fascinated by nature's beauty inside the mountain. Inside a mine a beautiful mosque made of different shades of rock salt bricks has been constructed-Hollow walls of salt bricks when lightened up gives a beautiful look. A large chamber called Assembly hall measuring more than 250 ft in height fascinates tourists. Thee is an area of transparent salt of light pink color known as Shish Mahal.
There are two option/ways to enter mine one is WALK WAY (the walk way from the receipt/briefing hall to the mouth of the mine is constructed) and other is ELECTRIC TRAIN (electric trains has been made available for tourists to have a joy ride up to main juncture inside the mines). Trained mine guides are available to conduct tour of visitors inside the mines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khewra_Salt_Mines
http://www.pmdc.gov.pk/khewra/resort.htm