Rock salt block extraction using conventional rock mining methods

Rock salt is produced in large quantities in Pakistan's Salt Range region. Salt tiles, blocks, and lamps are the primary rock salt exports, whilst household usage and the chemical sector are the main local consumers. The size, shape and quality of the block play a role in how profitably salt may be produced for value addition. When the blocks have very few cracks, adding value to the salt is simpler. The current method of extracting salt includes drilling and blasting that causes unintended cracks in the blocks. The extraction of rock salt blocks using traditional cuboid-shaped block mining techniques is the main topic of this research. The methods include blasting with low-yield explosives, expansion agents, and wedges and feathers. The in-situ experiments resulted in wedges and feathers approach being the most effective way to mine rock salt blocks of the correct size and form, while reducing cracking. Using core drilling at the block's edge, the quality of the blocks for the various procedures was evaluated.