Himalayan Pink Salt© Denzil Green
Himalayan Pink Salt is unrefined salt whose pinkish colour comes from trace elements and minerals in it (calcium, potassium, sulphur, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc.)
It is mined from salt deposits in rocks.
Though the word Himalayan may conjure up images of Nepal, the salt would perhaps be more appropriately called Pakistani rock salt. It is mined in Pakistan, in Punjab, in the Karakoram hills (part of the Himalayan mountains) near the Shimshal and Muztagh Rivers. There are three salt mines, called Khewra, Warcha and Kalabagh. The mines are owned by the Government of Pakistan, and are managed by the Pakistan Mine Development Corporation (PMDC.)
The Khewra Mines are open to tourists, receiving over 40,000 visits a year (as of 2007.) The mines are fully electrified and offer electric train rides through them to tourists. There is also an underground miniature mosque made of the salt.
Most of the salt produced is actually industrial grade, or for non-food grade consumer products such as bath salts, lamps pedestals, tables, figurines from salt, etc.