Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan has considerable presence of Epsom salt in its earthen crypts and needs efforts at the government level for its production and export to earn a handsome foreign exchange, reports WealthPK. China, Germany, and India are world leaders or large exporters/producers of Epsom salt in the world. Pakistan can join their ranks by focusing proper attention on its production and export. Lesotho, Peru, and the United States are the potential markets for this product (whether it is natural or produced in the lab).

The Global market growth size concerning the industrial uses of Epsom salt was calculated at US$1.7 billion in the year 2021. Taking the same year as the base period, it is expected to get a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3% worth US$3.5 billion globally by the year 2027. It is expected that the demand for Epsom salt will get a good rise due to the increasing health awareness.

Epsom is an inorganic salt. It is a naturally occurring compound of magnesium and sulphate. It was accidentally discovered from the well water of the market town Epsom located in Britain. The element was named after the town.    

Epsom salt is used in the pharma industry at a considerable scale to cure many skin diseases and as a muscle relieving agent and liver detoxification remedy. It is also used as a bath salt and also used in the beauty industry since the olden days. Other than natural deposits, it can also be produced through the lab process. It is used as a fertilizer, and in the leather industry.

Talking to WealthPK, Assistant Director Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) Yasir Shaheen Khalil said, “There is too much potential concerning the uses and global need of Epsom salt. It is found during the mining of other earthen elements i.e., Gypsum, salt, etc. It is created when there is saline water in closed arid basins. After the full evaporation of water, the remaining residuals/evaporites consists of salt, gypsum, and Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate heptahydrate).”

Good deposits of Gypsum in Pakistan are mostly found in Hamun-e-Mashkhel (the largest arid saline seasonal desert lake in Pakistan), Hamun-e-Lora, etc. In short, it can be said that all places in the country wherever deposits of salt, gypsum are found, Epsom salt is likely to occur,” he said.

In a discussion about Epsom salt with WealthPK, geologist and miner Imran Babar said, “Epsom salt is basically found during the mining of about three to four minerals i.e., Gypsum, limestone, calcite, and salt, (inside of caves, veins, tunnels, etc). Independent mines or total earthen deposits of Epsom never exist. It is a co-product or associated product of other minerals.’’

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province can be considered to find good quantities of Epsom due to sizeable deposits of salt, gypsum, calcite, etc. In Punjab province, salt mines exist and the chances of Epsom are also there. Epsom is found in the form of tiny crystals. For centuries, Epsom is used for many purposes,” Imran added.

Pakistan must focus on increasing the level of mineral findings, marketing, and exploration. It is important to make strengthen the mining sector. A great number of people depend upon this sector to earn their livelihood. The more the mining sector will be strong, the more they will earn a good living and the country will also get its fruits.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk