Reconnaissance investigation of evaporites in the Al Qasab and Rayda areas, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Salt is being produced by the evaporation of brine in shallow pits at Sabkhah al Milh (lat 25 ? 15' N., long 45 ? 35' E.), near Al Qasab. In the Rayda area (lat 20? 28' N., long 47?40' E.), extensive, discontinuous beds of gypsum are exposed, but bedded halite is absent. No other evaporites with any potential for commercial exploitation were observed in these areas, and it is not recommended that further studies be undertaken at this time.