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CHAPTER – I

INTRODUCTION, REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The term “Granite” is derived from Latin word “Granum” meaning “grain” because

of its granular nature. India is well known since time immemorial for its building

and dimensional stones like Marble, Sandstone, Limestone, Slate etc. Recently

granite has also been added to this list. Granite occupies a prominent place among

dimensional stones on account of its hardness, durability, capability to take mirror

polish and fascinating colours. As such the use of granite has increased many folds

as dimensional and decorative stone all over the world and this has created a good

export market for Indian Granite.

Granite has a 95% share in India‟s dimensional stone export. The export of high

value added items like tiles, polished slabs and monument stone has increased by

over 50% average growth.

1.1.1 Historical Aspects of Granite

The people of ancient times were using granite, lime – stone marble, sandstone, and

other kinds of stone for the past 4000 years ago or so (Reinfeld, 1966). Massive stone

was used to fortify cities and even borders. The great Chinese Wall is a classic

example of stone structure, which was started by 220 B.C. and built up about 1,600

years later. The wall was 2,400 km. (1,500 miles) long, 7.5 m. (25ft.) high, and about

six meters (20ft.) thick at the base. Most of the important forts, temples, palaces and

other buildings in South India are built of granite rocks of various shades and

texture whereas similar structures in North India are usually built of marble and

sandstone (quartzite). Thousands of temples spread over Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil

Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Ajanata caves were carved in Deccan Trap rock

during the Fifth century A.D. in Maharasthra, the Rathas seven Pagodas were built

by Pallavas during 7th and 8th century A.D. at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. These

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Pagodas are all built of granite. The Ellora caves and the Kailash temple were built in

Deccan Trap during the 8th century A.D. in Maharashtra. Mukteshwar and Lingaraja

temples were made of granite during 10th and 11th century A.D. in Orissa. The

Konarak (Sun Temple) in Orissa was built of granite during 13th century A.D.

Thanjavur Temple and Tanjore Fort were made of granite in Tamil Nadu during 11th

century A.D. The famous Khajuraho temple in Madhya Pradesh was built during the

11th century A.D. Buland Darwaza (Fatehpur Sikri) in Uttar Pradesh was made of

sandstone during the 16th century A.D. Qutab Minar, another sandstone structure

was built during 12th and 13th century A.D. The tallest monolith statue of Bahubali,

constructed during 12th century A.D. in Karnataka and the famous Meenakshi

temple at Madurai in Tamil Nadu constructed during the 17th century are

outstanding examples of granite rock statuary. An exquisite granite sculpture of 12th

century A.D. is the Stone Chariot at Humpi in Karnataka. A large number of forts

were built of stones, mostly sandstone and quartzite, during 15th to 17th century in

Rajasthan; and also the Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh (Kaeley and Bhandari,

V.K., 1995). The world famous Taj Mahal was built of marble during the 17th century

A.D. at Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The Palamu Fort in Betla Forest, Bihar was

constructed around 15th century by the Gonds.

During the 3rd century B.C. Asoka the Great of Maurya Empire erected a large

number of pillars on which are inscribed the edicts issued by him. The pillars are

made of buff coloured sandstone. These pillars stand on ground without any base or

platform. The surface of the pillar is highly polished and they retain their mirror like

glaze even today. They are made of a single piece of stone. The best of the Ashokan

pillars still stands at Lauriya (Nandangarh) in Bihar. The Lion capital of the Sarnath,

a piece near Varnasi in Uttar Pradesh, is another piece of art of the Mauryan era. It

represents four lions, back to back, facing the cardinal directions, Modern India, after

independence, has honoured the capital of the Sarnath Pillar by adopting it as the

National Emblem of India. The wheel below the figures of the four lions forms part

of our National flag (Kaeley et al, 1987).

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In Maharashtra, Gujarat and parts of Madhya Pradesh basaltic rocks of Deccan Trap

replace the granite and marble in the construction of forts, shrines and buildings.

Blocks and slabs of granite and marble from India are in great demand in Australia,

Europe, Middle East, Japan and the South East Asia.

1.1.2 Rocks as Construction Material:

Rocks required for architectural, structural, monumental and other purposes, such as

building stones and aggregates are selected not merely on the basis of their size and

quality, but mostly on their physical and mechanical properties of the rock mass. On

the basis of detailed studies in the field and laboratory it has been found that only a

few selected rocks have been found to be useful for construction purposes. Some of

these rocks can be used as building stones as well as aggregates. Building stones can

be grouped into three categories: (1) Dimension stone; (Refer Annexure-II) (2)

Roofing stone; and (3) Ornamental / monumental stone (Bowen, 1984). Among the

different rock types examined, granite and granite rocks have been most useful for

these purposes.

Granite is a most important structural and ornamental stone. Fine-grained granite

which takes and preserves good polish is employed for ornamental and monumental

works. This is also preferred for inscription purpose (ISI – 1965).

Granite

Granite is the commonest of all the igneous rocks. It is a super-saturated or over

saturated granular plutonic rock. It was formed from magma which cooled very

slowly. It is often exposed to view by erosion of upper layers of rock. It forms most

of the larger intrusive bodies, the batholiths. Granite and granodiorite are estimated

to have a combined bulk many times more than that of all other plutonic rocks

(Blyth, 1952). Granite is one of the best among igneous rocks to be used as the

structural stone, because of its good appearance, its hardness and resistance to

weathering. Granite is very tough. High grade granite will sustain a crushing load of

about 1,054.5 kgs/sq.cm (15,000 pounds/sq.in) (Kessler et al, 1940). Granite is also

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the one with the coarsest grains. It has great resistance to weathering. The average

specific gravity of granite is 2.67.

Composition and Physical Properties

A common granite is composed of quartz, feldspar and mica or hornblende as

essential minerals. The feldspar includes both orthoclase and plagioclase (albite and

oligoclase). In some granite microcline is present. Quartz generally forms 20 to 40

percent of the rock, and feldspar up to 60 percent. The light coloured variety of mica,

the muscovite, or a dark variety like biotite, or both may be present. Other minerals

which may be found in different granites, not all in anyone type of rock, are

hornblende, augite, and tourmaline; soda-rich minerals like reibeckite and aegirite

appear in alkaline granite. Accessory minerals include apatite, zircon, sphene, garnet

and magnetite. (Refer Annexure-I)

The trade name “granite” is used for many other crystalline rocks which are not

granite in the geological sense. Such rocks may be granodiorite, diorite, syenite,

granitic schists and gneisses, quartz-porphyry, porphyrite, rhyolite, andesite,

khondalite, charnockite, basalt, dolerite, gabbro, pyroxenite, picrite, peridotite, and a

few other igneous and metamorphic rocks which may have suitable physical,

chemical and mechanical properties for appropriate use as sources of building

material. In commercial usage, the term granite is applied to almost any crystalline

rock, irrespective of its composition and origin.

Black granites or diabases are actually gabbro or dolerite rocks. These are black to

dark green and fine to medium-grained rocks. The diabase or dolerite has a low to

negligible percentage of quartz. Diabase, gabbro and doletite rocks are not as

abundant as pink or grey granites.

Granite technically refers to a light-coloured granulose plutonic rock composed of

feldspars, plagioclase, quartz (felsic minerals) and minor amounts of mafic minerals,

such as biotite, hornblende, pyroxene, iron oxides, etc. But, in the commercial

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parlance, the term granite has become synonymous with all those crystalline rocks

which have pleasing colours, strength to bear the processes of quarrying and cutting

& polishing and are used commonly for decorative purposes. Being more resistant to

wear and tear as well as weathering, granite is most sought-after stone to be used as

building as well as decorative stone. The fascination for granite is due to its taking

mirror-like polish, high compressive strength, longevity and beauty. India possesses

enormous deposits of all types of dimension stones. It is one of the largest producers

of dimension stones in the world. The dimension stone industry employs over one

million workforces. This industry plays a vital role in the economy of states like

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Rural economy of many

developing states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and North-Eastern

States is dependent on this industry.

The granite used for decorative purposes is a costly material in comparison with

other materials. Hence, its utilisation and trade within the country has been at a low

profile compared with the exports. With the emergence of the rich middle class and

spurt in construction activity, the internal trade is on the rise.

Although granite is a minor mineral, it is a major contributor in foreign exchange

earnings. India is the second largest exporter of raw granite after China and ahead of

Brazil and South Africa. India ranked fifth in the export of processed (value added

finished) product. Granite contributed 4.51% exports value of all ores and minerals

in 2007. The export value of granite was next to diamond and iron ore during 2007-

08.

RESOURCES

India is endowed with abundant resources of a wide variety of granite. As on

1.4.2005, resources of granite dimension stone of all types are estimated at 37,426

million cubic metres. Of these resources, 1,130 million cubic metres (about 3%) fall in

reserves category while remaining 36,296 million cubic metres or about 97% fall in

resources category.

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Granite classification reveals that about 8% resources fall under black granite while

91% under coloured granite. About 1% reserves and resources are of unclassified

grade. Under reserve category, about 23 million cubic metres of all grades fall under

proved category while 1,162 million cubic metres fall under probable category.

State wise breakup of resources reveals that Karnataka with about 25% resources is

leading followed by Jharkhand (24%), Rajasthan (23%), Andhra Pradesh (6%),

Madhya Pradesh (5%) and Orissa (5%) which together accounted for 88% resources.

With regards to reserves, about 93% reserves are located in Madhya Pradesh (86%)

and Orissa (7%).

The details of reserves/resources as on 1.4.2005 are given in Table-1.1.

TABLE – 1.1: RESERVES/RESOURCES OF GRANITE (DIMENSION STONE) AS ON 1.4.2005 (BY GRADES/STATES)

(Thousand cubic metres)

Grade/State

Reserves Remaining Resources Total

Resources

(A + B)

Proved

STD111

Probable Total (A) Pre-Feasibility Measur

ed

STD331

Indicated

STD332

Inferred

STD333

Reconnaissance

STD334

Total

(B) STD121 STD122 STD

221

STD 222

All India 23010 1075059 31955 1130024 44220 513249 841284 2064405 32793579 39240 36295977 37426001

By Grades

Black Granite 2694 11489 1933 16116 37920 500099 50934 465940 2089501 - 3144393 3160510

Coloured Granite 20316 1063570 30022 1113908 6300 13150 790351 1276665 30666984 39000 32792449 33906357

Unclassified - - - - - - - 321800 37095 240 359135 359135

By States

Andhra Pradesh - - - - - - - - 2405890 - 2405890 2405890

Assam - - - - - 513000 - 800 70150 - 583950 583950

Bihar - - - - - - - 179000 698612 - 877612 877612

Chhattisgarh - - - - - - - - 50057 - 50057 50057

Gujarat - - - - - - - - 421296 - 421296 421296

Haryana - - - - - - - - 34000 - 34000 34000

Jharkhand - - - - - - - 651300 8196064 - 8847364 8847364

Karnataka 19212 16617 18983 54812 - - 4198 1231625 7998043 19000 9252866 9307678

Kerala 140 - - 140 - 99 - - 2570 - 2669 2808

Madhya Pradesh - 969224 - 969224 - 150 - 540 1024170 - 1024860 1994084

Maharashtra - - - - 6300 - 486925 - 665622 - 1158847 1158847

Meghalaya - - - - - - - - 286467 - 286467 286467

Orissa - 80000 - 80000 - - 330328 - 1432492 240 1763060 1843060

Rajasthan - - 4500 4500 - - - - 8500708 20000 8520708 8525208

Tamil Nadu - 9218 8472 17690 37920 - 7 - 503818 - 541745 559435

Uttar Pradesh - - - - - - - - 494819 - 494819 494819

West Bengal 3658 - - 3658 - - 19827 1140 8802 - 29768 33426

Figures rounded off 7

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PRIME VARIETIES OF INDIAN GRANITE

In the world market, there are nearly 300 varieties of granite. India supplies more

than 160 varieties. Out of these, prime varieties represent a wide spectrum of colour,

texture and structure. These prime varieties have substantial resource base.

Commercial names of granite are derived from area, colour, patterns, etc.

Karnataka specialises in the production of Ruby red, Kanakpura multicolour,

Himalayan blue and Sira grey varieties of granite. Andhra Pradesh is famous for

Black Galaxy, Srikakulam blue and black varieties of granite while Tamil Nadu is

abundant in Jet-black and Tippu-white, Kashmir-white and Paradiso varieties of

granite. Availability of varieties of granite in various states is given in Table-1.2.

Table – 1.2 Varieties of Granite in Various States

State Variety

Andhra Pradesh Black Galaxy, Srikakulam blue, steel grey, Paradiso, Anantapur grey, Silver Galaxy, etc.

Bihar Tiger skin, Mayurkshi blue, Sawan rose, English teak, black-cheeta etc. Gujarat Sonabadi grey, Balaram pink, Ajapur Galaxy, Godhra grey, Maharaja

tiger-black, etc. Haryana Steel-grey porphyry, purish granite porphyry, deep pink Karnataka Ruby red, Fish Belly, Himalayan blue, Sira grey, Red multi, Tumkur

porphyry, Hassan green, Magadi pink, Tiger black etc. Kerala Tropical green, Paradiso, Kerala white etc. Maharashtra Grey silk, Light pink, Jhansi red, etc. Madhya Pradesh Multicoloured, black granite, etc. Orissa Berhampur blue, Silver grey, Seawood green, Chilka blue, Red pearl,

Jeypur and Keonjhar black etc. Rajasthan Mokalsar green, Nagina green, Rosy pink, Blue pearl, Chima pink, Bala

flower, platinum-white etc. Tamil Nadu Kashmir white, Rawasilk, Paradiso, Pink multi, Colombo Juparana, Tiger

skin, Kunnam black, Turaiyar blue, etc. Uttar Pradesh Ruby red,Jhansi red, grey granite, black granite etc. West Bengal Bero pink porphyry, streaky gneiss, Purulia black, Birbhum pink, Spotty

black, etc.

EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

Keeping in view the increasing demand in both domestic and international markets

for new varieties, DMG, Government of Rajasthan, Karnataka and Nagaland were

actively engaged in exploration & Development activities. The details of work

carried out by State Directorates are summarised in Table – 1.3.

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Table – 1.3 Details of Exploration for Granite, 2006-07 and 2007-08

Agency/ State/ District

Location/ Area/ Block

Mapping Drilling Sampling (No.)

Remarks Reserves/Resources estimated

Scale Area (sq km)

No. of boreholes

Meterage (m)

2006-07 DMG, Andhra Pradesh

East Godavari Chopparipalem, Jaderu, Nelipudi and Thungamadugulu

- - - - - Reconnaissance survey carried out. Investigation is under progress.

Medak Kukunur, Jukkal, Gadipeddapur, etc.

- - - - - - do -

Visakhapatnam Madigunta, Nalanki, etc.

- - - - - - do -

DMG, Rajasthan

Barmer Duda Beri, Nand & Sheoki – Magri

1:50,000 1:10,000 1:2,000

120.00 18.00 1.50

- - 5 Occurence of pink coloured to medium to coarse grained granite seam.

- Do - Nausar Kamthai, etc.

1:50,000 1:10,000 1:2,000

200 20 2

- - 40 Syenite rocks suitable for decorative stones reported to occur at Goyana – Bhakhar, Dandeli, etc.

Pali Chaug, Rojra, Khidargaon,etc.

1:10,000 10.00 - - - Deposits of blockable granite were located.

2007 – 08 DMG, Karnataka

Chikballapura Thimmasandra

Dibburhalli 1:50,000 500 - - 8 Estimated about 0.64 million cu m reserves of granite to a workable depth of 20 m.

Hassan Hosakote Uchangi etc.

1:50,000 600 - - 5 Estimated about 0.35 million cu m reserves of dolerite to a workable depth of 20 m

DGM, Nagaland

Old-Avangkhu 1:4,000 2 - - - Estimated about 8 million tonnes of resources of granite suitable for dimensional stone.

DG, Orissa Khurdha

Kalucha Dhania, etc.

1:50,000 1:25,000

202 14

- - 62 Work was in progress.

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PRODUCTION

Granite, being a “Minor Mineral,” falls under the purview of the State Governments.

Therefore, precise data on production of granite are not available. An attempt has

been made to compile the data of granite production received from various States.

The production of granite is given in Table – 1.4.

Table –1.4 Production of Granite, 2004-05 to 2006-07 (By States)

(Value in Rs.‟000)

Major production of granite in raw as well as processed form is generally from Tamil

Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa.

The important granite producing centres in Tamil Nadu are Dharmapuri, Erode,

Madurai, Salem, Virudhunagar and Vilupuram districts. In Rajasthan, production

centres are mainly spread in the districts of Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Barmer, Ajmer,

Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu and Jodhpur. Karnataka is another important producer of

granite varities occurring in the districts of Bangalore, Mysore, Gulbarga, Hassan,

Raichur and Kolar. However, production data are not available from this State. The

occurrences of granite have been reported from three districts of Uttar Pradesh,

namely Lalitpur, Mahoba and Banda. However, almost all the production comes

from Lalitpur district. In Andhra Pradesh, important mining areas are located in the

State

Unit

2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 (p)

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

India - - 5441317 - 13415793 - 13915122

Andhra Pradesh cu m 357708 4390935 805997 12477701 796880 13308421

Chhattisgarh cu m 72 85 - - - -

Gujarat cu m 6408 1675 95613 9508 47169 8648

Jharkhand cu m 3 414 - - NA NA

Kerala cu m NA NA NA NA 2319 NA

Rajasthan Tonne 207548 36988 264771 223414 335092 234053

Tamil Nadu cu m 168341 260494 185743 320035 NA NA

Uttar Pradesh cu m 23876 417830 21722 380135 20800 364000

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districts of Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Warangal,

Karimnagar and Khammam. Bihar, Kerala and West Bengal also produce granite.

Details regarding production of processed granite are not available. However, it is

presumed that the processed material exported can be taken as production level in

the country with addition of 5% to 15% for internal use. It may be mentioned here

that the country is in a position to produce the required quantity of granite to meet

demand of both domestic as well as export markets.

MINING

Production of blocks of considerable size and weight is a special feature of granite

mining. The process and equipment used for granite mining differ considerable from

those used for mining other minerals. The mining of granite involves two important

stages of operation: one is actual block splitting either from sheet rock or boulder

and the other operation involves many items of works, such as removal of

weathered zone or overburden, opening of faces, lifting of cut blocks, transportation

and much other ancillary work before and after the block splitting.

The actual block splitting from the sheet rocks or boulders is mainly done manually

or in some cases by semi-mechanised methods whereas the other operations, such as

removal of overburden, lifting and transportation of cut blocks, etc. are carried out

by mechanised method. There are a very few mines which adopt the modern

method of block splitting by using flame-jet burner and diamond wire saw for

cutting. Heavy-duty derrick cranes of capacity to handle 50-tonne blocks from a

depth of more than 60 m have brought revolution in granite by way of more output

with less cost. The percentage recovery of granite is quite low, and it varies from 5 to

15% because of unscientific mining method.

Efforts are being made in adopting more modern and scientific mining methods to

enhance the recovery of dimensional blocks. For this purpose, „Water Jet Cutting‟, a

new technique, is used. In this technique, water with tremendous pressure is passed

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through an orifice to form a jet. This jet is used to cut into the primary blocks as well

as secondary blocks. The cutting loss in this process is minimum and there is no

damage to adjacent block as in case of blasting.

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The processing of granite in India is an age-old phenomenon and started in a small

way in 1930s when some trimmed blocks as kerbstones were exported to UK. Since

then, semi-hand-worked or hand-polished granite tomb stones found their

acceptability in UK. Granite processing basically involves sawing or cutting of raw

blocks into the tiles/slabs of required size & thickness and polishing of sawn-off

surfaces. Other ancillary functions involve edge cutting, milling, boring and

contouring for enhancing the quality and price of production. In India, the

processing industry is in three sectors, namely small-scale units, medium-scale units

and 100% export-oriented units (EOU). The processing industry of granite in the

country has been developed over the years. The share in exports of processed

material has increased.

USES & SPECIFICATIONS

Uses

Granite is the most sought-after building stone since long. In the ancient times, the

granite pillars and beams were preferred material to support the huge structures of

temples and palaces and for making protective walls around them. With the

invention of modern tools of greater hardness and polishing ability, the use of

granite has rather increased for aesthetic values. The modern motorised tools of

tungsten carbide and brazed diamond have enabled the user to cut & polish granite

as per the specifications of the building sector. Presently, cut and polished granite

slabs of 20 mm thickness are preferred for flooring, while tiles of 10 or 12 mm

thickness are used for cladding. In addition to this, gravestone and monuments of

various shapes and sizes are also in vogue. Because of the flexibility of the cutting

tools, many artefacts of granite for decorative purposes are being made.

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Granite also finds its applications in making garden furniture, such as benches,

fountains and many other articles which are used for landspacing and decorative

purposes. The cut-to-size small blocks are used as cobblestone, kerbstone, road

sidings and many other innovative uses.

Crude granites are utilised for structural purpose after little dressing & sizing

whereas processed granites are used mostly in the construction of buildings and

monuments and for interiors and exterior facing. Because of its superior wear

resistance and non-denting quality, granite is used for various meteorological and

engineering instruments, such as surface plates, straight edges, parallels, cubes, V

blocks and work-mounting tables of co-ordinate measuring machines.

The surface plates are used as flat datum surface whenever precise measurements of

dimensions and geometrical relationships are to be carried out. For this purpose, the

harder variety of granite is required so that it can bar the high degree of grinding,

polishing and calibration for achieving flat surface. It has been found that granite

which is to be used for surface plates should have a close grain size, homogeneity,

high density and hardness, uniform colour and low moisture absorption. The granite

should be free from flaws.

Specifications

The properties of granite which are normally valued for exploitation are

compressive strength, tensile strength, density, p-wave velocity, etc. For the

marketability, other requirements like colour, texture, granularity, size, water

absorption, porosity, hardness, moisture content, etc. are also essential. Raw blocks

should be free from normal defects like fractures, joints, shears, hairline cracks,

segregation, veins, etc.

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The snippets of BIS specifications for granite are given below:

IS: 3316 – 1974 (First Revision; Reaffirmed 2003) specification for Structural Granite

This standard covers section, grading and strength requirements of structural

granite for various constructional uses. The general requirements as per the

specifications are that granite shall be free from flaws, injurious veins, cavities and

similar imperfections that would impair its structural integrity and would affect

adversely its strength and appearance. The strength requirements as per IS: 3316 –

1974 as follows:

i) The compressive strength when tested according to IS: 1121 – 1974 (Part 1)

shall be not less than 1,000 kg/cm2

ii) The true specific gravity when tested according to IS: 1122 – 1974 shall not

be less than 2.6.

iii) The water absorption when tested according to IS: 1124 – 1974 shall not be

more than 0.50%.

The shape of slabs shall be rectangular or square and of specified dimensions with a

tolerance in length and breadth shall be 12 mm and thickness 1 mm. The dimensions

of blocks for masonry shall be as specified. The tolerance shall be allowed 15 mm for

facing blocks.

IS: 14223 (Part 1) – 1995; (Reaffirmed 2001) Specifications for Polished

Building Stones: Pt I Granite

This standard covers physical properties and finish requirements of polished

granites used for various purposes. The general requirements as per the

specifications are that the granite should be free from all imperfections and

deleterious minerals that may interfere with the appearance, strength, structural

integrity and its amenability to take good polish. Imperfections are mostly imparted

by the textural variation which is a function of degree of uniformity and the

distribution of the constituent minerals. Hairline cracks/joints, flower, moles, knots,

white and dark lines due to segregation of light-coloured minerals in multicoloured

granite and ferro-magnesium minerals in light-coloured granites are considered to

be the imperfections. Granite should be free from deleterious minerals, such as

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pyrite, marcasite, biotite, chlorite and ilmenite which interfere with the colour and

appearance on weathering and also affect polishing characteristics.

The shapes of the slabs shall be rectangular or square and of specified dimensions

with a tolerance in length and breadth shall be +2 mm and thickness +1 mm. The

bottom face may be rough but the top surface shall be fine-polished and joint faces

shall be dressed with the top surface without hollowness and spilling off.

The physical properties of granite shall conform to the requirements given in Table –

1.5. Surface of the polished granite shall be mirror-finish without any hairline crack.

The polish on the surface shall be checked with glassometer and shall not be less

than 95%.

Table – 1. 5: Physical Properties of Granite as per IS: 14223 (Part 1) - 1995

Sl.No Characteristic Requirements Indian Standards

Pink granite Multicoloured & grey granite

1 Moisture content (%) (max) 0.15 0.15 13030 – 1991

2 Dry density (m/v) 2.58 to 2.63 2.60 to 2.68 13030 – 1991

3 Apparent specific gravity (min) 2.75 2.75 1124 – 1974 4 Water absorption (%) (max) 0.50 0.50 1124 – 1974

5 Porosity (%) 1.02 to 2.50 1 to 2 1124 – 1974

6 Compressive strength (kg/cm2) (min)

1000-1500 1300-2200 1121 (Part 1)-1974

7 Tensile strength (kg/cm2) 90 90 1121 (Part 3) – 1974

8 Shear strength (kg/cm2) 280 - 425 300 - 540 1121 (Part 4) – 1974

9 Hardness (Mohs‟ scale) 6 to 7 6 to 7 13630 (Part 13)-1993 10 Hardness (Schmidt No.) 80 - 100 85 - 110 12608 – 1989

11 Hardness (Shore No.) 50 - 60 46 - 61 12608 – 1989

12 Ultrasonic pulse velocity 5000 5000 13311 (Part 1) – 1992

13 Resistance to wear Not greater than 2 mm, on an average and 2.5 mm for any individual specimen

Not greater than 2 mm, on an

average and 2.5 mm for any individual specimen

1706 – 1972

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On the international scene, with the formulation of European Economy, the CEN

Norm has come into force. As per CEN TC 246, various standards of stones have

been formulated. The objectives of these standards are to oblige the companies to

have the tests of the different stones being commercialised so as to allow the users

the choice of the stone with physical characteristics according to its use. It is

mandatory for every company doing business with European Union to mark their

product with „CE‟ marking from March 2004 onwards.

1.1.3 ORIGIN OF THE GRANITE INDUSTRY

India is endowed with vast deposits of different kinds of granite and is one of the

largest producers in the world. The development during last two decades in

quarrying and processing of granite to mirror finish, have revolutionised the granite

industry to meet the growing demands of indigenous and foreign buyers.

Among the various stones quarried as dimensional stones granite occupy a unique

position because of their aesthetic appearance, sustainable durability and their

unassailable and non replaceable nature. Owing to these qualities, granites are more

sought after for use as decorative stones, paving and curbing stones besides as

architectural material.

Petrologic connotation of granite refers to the group name of family of deep-seated

acidic rocks primarily made of quartz, feldspar and some Ferro magnesium

minerals. In the commercial parlance the term „granite’ is loosely applied to any

decorative and dimensional stone ranging in composition from granite to gabbro.

Even the porphyrities and dolerite dykes are grouped under this name.

Granite is now, the foreign money-spinner. It is the third largest foreign exchange

earner for India after diamond (cut and polished) and iron ore. India started

exporting granite on commercial scale in late 1960‟s and since then it has witnessed a

tremendous growth during eighties and nineties. The granite trade that was of the

order of few lakh rupees in 1960‟s has risen to Rs.1000 crore in mid nineties. Its

17

demand in both domestic and international market is believed to be perennial. It has

tremendous potential to contribute to the Indian economy.

Indian granite has been well accepted in the international market. The wide range of

colours black, red, green, pink, grey of Indian granite is also an advantage in the

export market. With the increasing export performance year after year, the

importance of granite industry in building national economy and foreign exchange

earning had become vital.

Extensive deposits of granite are found in the states of Assam, Andhra Pradesh,

Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa,

Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Occupying a place of pride

among building stones, there is no dearth of granite deposits in the country with

deposits of commercial importance reported from nearly all states although there are

seven major granite-producing states. So far a total recoverable reserve of 432 million

cubic meters has been assessed in the country. The Geological Survey of India (GSI)

has prognosticated 200 billion cubic meters of granite considering all the granite

bearing areas in the country. As granite is a minor mineral, it is not covered under

the Mineral Conservation and development rules.

India is the third largest granite producer, next only to Spain and China. Karnataka‟s

reserves, estimated at 546 million cum, are the largest in the country. It has

recoverable reserves of 195 million cum up to a depth of 10 meters. Incidentally,

granite is the country‟s third biggest foreign exchange earner, after iron ore and

diamonds. Indian granite exports have steadily risen from Rs. 198 crore in 1990-91 to

Rs. 492 crore in 1992-93 and Rs. 840 crores in 1994-95. The Government has set an

export target of Rs. 1,500 crore by the turn of the century. The major importers are

Japan, Korea, USA, UK, UAE, the Netherlands and Germany. Out of the total quality

exported, the rough and cut dimensional blocks constitute around 90 percent. This

clearly indicates that there is an urgent need to increase the production of value-

added products of granite for export purposes.

18

With this objective, the Government has been encouraging the setting up of 100

percent Export Oriented Units. There are over 100 Export Oriented Units, which

have invested much as Rs.1000 crore. Letters of intent have been issued to a few

hundred more export oriented units. In fact, the Union Government has finally taken

note of the abundant granite resources and has initiated some serious measures

aimed at streamlining the policies governing its exploration, mine leasing and

export.

The use of Granite in India has been as old as India‟s history itself. In the ancient

times, Granite was extensively used in the building of temples, palaces and other big

structures. During the earlier part of this century, Granite began to be used for

making kerb Stones, pavements and buildings.

It was in the 1930‟s that an enterprising young man Sri R. Sethu Ram during his

conversation with the then Dewan of Mysore state Sir Mirza Ismail discovered that

Granite could be exported to Great Britain for the purpose of Kerb Stones and

Monuments. He also learnt that, there was ready market in Britain particularly for

Grey Granite both dressed slabs and finished material. So he began to export Grey

Granite dressed slabs under the name of M/s. Ramappa & Sons. With this small

beginning, the industry developed into a major industry what it is today, and has

been able to earn a sizeable of foreign exchange for our country.

The overseas trade which started in this fashion, continued for a few years and the

Doddaballarpur grey Granite was exported mainly for Kerb Stone application to

Britain. Later the then Maharaja of Mysore State, Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar granted

monopoly rights to M/s. Narayanaswamy & Sons founded by Rao Bahadur

Munivenkatappa to export granite monuments. In the meanwhile the Second World

War broke in 1939 and as a result of this war for a few years, till 1944 Granite exports

almost came to a standstill. The industry which was just in its infancy received a

severe jolt.

19

During this period, another factory was started at Kuppam in the composite state

known as Madras presidency, presently in Andhra Pradesh by some foreigners

under the name of M/s. Bear & Bros., who had installed imported Granite polishing

machines. Apart from this company, around the same period between 1944 and 1947

another company by name M/s. Indian Granite Art Works (at present known as

M/s. Ever Shine Granite Art works) was launched at Kuppam by Mr. Hajee

Mohammed Pasha, who also entered the Granite export market. Some more people

including Mr.Chetty and M/s.Radhakrishnan established their firms at Kuppam.

After the Second World War and soon after India attained freedom in 1947, the then

Mysore State in the newly constituted Government cancelled the monopoly rights to

export granite, awarded by the Royalty earlier. The pioneering work done by Sri R.

Sethu Ram in the field of granite exports which had completely stopped during the

war, got revived in the form of his establishing a new firm called M/s. Mysore

Granites in the year 1948. It is to be noted that Sri Pasha of Kuppam with the support

of his sons, also established good business contacts with Great Britain, and

contributed significantly to the infant granite industry.

The Granite Industry which was very well in this way, both at home and abroad,

was once again distributed when Suez Canal was nationalized by the Egyptian

Government in 1965. This stopped the moment of vessels along with Canal, with the

result the ships from India to Britain had to take the alternate circuitous route

around the Cape of Good Hope. This entailed a heavy outlay on steamer freight,

which our British buyers could not afford. However, Egypt lifted the ban after some

time, and passage was again allowed through the Canal. Thus, the industry over

since its inception had a chequered history and faced several ups and downs. The

foreign trade which had come to standstill on accounts of the Suez Canal, picked up

and gain momentum. By then, a number of new entrants appeared in the field both

in India as well as in England.

20

At this juncture, in the year 1966, some of the well established granite exporters went

on a World tour to explore the possibilities of exporting Indian Granite to other

Countries. This trip was successful and helped in developing foreign trade links

with Europe and America for the first time. In the United States, buyers came

forward to purchase Indian Polished Granite Monuments. The chief buyers were

M/s. Nelson Monuments and M/s. Bocci & Sons. Also for the first time, rough

granite blocks were ordered from Europe byM/s. Granite „D‟ Europe of Italy. The

first consignment of rough granite blocks shipped from India to Italy was the sandy

Red Granite Blocks from Undripikonda Quarry of Andhra Pradesh and the shippers

were M/s. Bharat Granites.

During his World tour in 1966, Sri Sethu Ram has also visited Japan and had invited

the perspective Japanese buyers to visit India and study the possibilities of

importing granite. In those days, Japan was importing granite chiefly from South

Africa. In the year 1967, the first batch of customers arrived from Japan to initiate

granite business with India. The team included Mr.Yoshida of M/s. Tohoku

Industry Company Ltd. They were represented by their reputed Japanese import

agents M/s. Mitsubishi Corporation at Madras.

In the earlier part of the 1970s when granite exports had started, India used to ship

about 5000 tonnes per month. Today the Dimensional Granite blocks export is to the

tune of about 25000 tonnes per month. This is an indication of the growing demand

for our granite blocks abroad.

At present, there is a very good demand for Indian Black Granite Blocks in Japan.

Some of our Black Granite varieties are almost equal to the Swedish Black Granite

which is supposed to be of best quality in the world. Other varieties of Indian

coloured granite also have made a mark in countries like Italy, Germany and

Taiwan, particularly our red granite varieties have a ready market in abroad. Our

major competitors in the International market are South Africa, Brazil and

Zimbabwe. Our granite varieties are no less in quality compared with granites of

21

these countries. There are many granite deposits of different colours in India which

have to be explored and exploited for the foreign market.

Geologically there are many terms connoting the stone and rock varieties. But, the

commercial term granite is quite exhaustive to include all different types of stones

that will give shining, aesthetic beauty when cut and processed or when uncut or

finished in thermal form or punched or pitched. Innumerable stone monuments in

India will amply demonstrate our ancestor‟s creativity. They are ever-lasting

marvels and clearly show the extra-ordinary understanding and specialization to

make stone a permanent product for creation of structural beauties.

The scientific advancement in the metal age has given rise to many processing

machines and equipments for marbles and granite in Italy, Germany and in the

Scandinavian Countries. As a result many modern machines have started cutting

granites into Monuments, building slabs, thin tiles and architectural pieces.

Processing tools and consumables have helped rapid development of the stone

industry. Countries like UK, Germany, USA, Italy and Japan have a religious

demand for stone for its application as funeral monuments. Suitable stones and tools

have emerged to help the erection and carving in the monument industry.

Gradually, Indian Black Granite was identified as one of the attractive stones next to

the Swedish Ebony Black which was ruling world over. Despite the emergence of the

South African Black in huge quantity even before the entry of Indian stones, still

Indian stones have established its lead due to its deep and attractive jet black colour.

The contrast generated in foam white colour in carving in the pitch dark granites has

definitely helped the demand for Indian stones. The rustic punched grave stones

from India produced in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh and Bangalore started trickling

into the U.K. market over 40 years ago. However, the modern stone industry in India

have really emerged only since 1968, when the first lot of black granite from

Dharmapuri were exported to Japan as Dimensional rough blocks. Gradually more

people started the exports and India has been identified as a leading stone exporter.

22

The Japanese importers have helped the Indian exporters to learn and understand

strictly to follow the quality standards and specifications accepted in the

International market. Lacks of imported machines, equipments and tools have

definitely reiterated the rapid growth of this industry. Import procedural bottle-

necks and heavy import duties have adversely affected the export growth of the

stone industry in those days. All the foreigners from Japan used to wonder how the

Indian stones were given a perfectly shaped stone, without the support of any

modern equipment.

Any hard stone can be used for decorative purposes and it can be used as a

ornamental stone either for building or for the monument purposes. Even stones

used for road metals and sized can be definitely used as Dimensional blocks for

building and monuments. From the black granites of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and

Andhra Pradesh, India has emerged today with more than 60 varieties of different

coloured stones.

The private sector of the Indian stone industry despite their limited resources,

exposure to international trade and with the limited known granites have struggled

and made a remarkable feat in developing this industry. The unknown stone from a

remote village of our country adorns a modern building or adorns a cemetery in a

Metropolis in a highly developed country. There has not been any authenticated

literature or book on the subject of stone industry. There was not even any export

promotional body nor was there any catalogue showing various stone deposits

useful for marketing. Despite all these constraints, the Indian entrepreneurs have

wonderfully contributed to a pioneering new industry. In this process, Indian stone

had to compete against popular stone varieties from the advanced countries like

Sweden, Norway, Finland, South Africa, USA, Canada, South Korea, France,

Argentina, Brazil, China, USSR, etc. However, Indian stone had to go a long way,

still India has created a market in the stone industry world over. There are still more

beautiful stone varieties that can be identified in India from many new sources.

23

There are more than 300 known varieties of stones in the world and India still can

find ways and means to offer the world market at least another 150 to 200 varieties.

There are certain operational difficulties like the interior locations of the stone, long

distance to the ports, high cost of production which are some of the retarding factors

for marketing the economically low priced stone varieties like the Luna Pearl from

Sardinia and Porrinho Pink of Spain, Impala Black of South Africa, Balmoral Red of

Finland and the Grey and Pink varieties from China which are quite cheaper and are

sold in huge and enormous quantities.

Granite Industry consists of export of Dimensional Blocks both for monument

industry and building stone industry, export of monuments or tomb stones, export

of building slabs, export of tiles, export of other decorative and engineering

products, export of pavement and kerb stones, export of various natural shaped

garden and environmental stones etc. However, there is a clear lack of

understanding of the entire segments of the stone industry. Every one commonly

believes that the stone has to be cut and polished and exported as building slab

monuments and tiles, whereas, the other huge market that is available and enjoyed

by the exports from many other developed countries have not been studied

properly. All the granite producing countries including Sweden, Finland, Norway,

Italy, France, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Sudan, Namibia, Angolia, Brazil,

Uruguay, Colombia, Srilanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,

Australia, Taiwan, China, South Korea and North Korea are all exporting granite

products referred to above. All their exports are in Dimensional Blocks, pavement

stones, kerb stones etc. The polished tomb stones are serviced by India, Korea,

France and South Africa alone. None of the other countries export tomb stones

though they produce huge quantities of many granite varieties.

In effect, although the commercial success of granite only really began to take effect

off in the 1960s, many varieties have already vanished from the market, in spite of

good initial demand, for example, Labrodorite, and the various Nelson Red or Black

Nero Tijuca and Nero Uruguay, the Pink Rosa Del Santo, the Red Rosso Dragon and

24

St. Louis, where market crisis were not caused by the rejection of a specific colour

but, rather, by problems , of procurement and, in some cases of transportation. Other

types, such as Balmoral, the Red Rosso Imperiale and Rosso Tranas, Sierra Chica and

Green Verde Uratuba are to be found, for similar reasons, in lesser quantities on the

principal market, often considerable less than in relatively recent years, meanwhile,

a number of new stones have rapidly come to the floor of the international scene;

amongst these, we should cite the Canadian Caledonian and Newton, the leading

varieties of Spanish Granites from Mondarits to Porrinho, Brazilian Kapao Bonito,

the Red Rosso Santiago from the USSR, Baltic Brown, Carmen Red and Taivassallor

from Finland.

The granite industry first has to consolidate its strength in organising proper

quarrying. The stone industry is highly capital intensive, highly labour intensive,

highly risk intensive, highly fashion and fancy oriented, highly export oriented and

is highly competitive from many countries.

The Indian stone is still in its infancy, except 4 or 5 varieties in India, none others are

modernized to the international standard. Except five or six branded stones in India,

many stones are unknown to the rest of the world. Building projects are made out of

the 5 stone varieties in India so far, that too only in the last 4 years and the Indian

stone share in the world is only about 2%. 98% of the machines and other

equipments and consumables required for this industry are to be imported from

many countries. The high electric power intensive granite industry lacks continuous

power supply in the country.

The major market for Indian Stone is Japan followed by Italy, USA, and West

Germany etc. Of these countries Italy is not importing any polished granite slabs or

tiles or monuments from any country. Their import is only granite blocks but they

import some marbles from neighbouring countries. With the present policies

prevailing in certain states insisting export of granites only cut and polished, India

will miss both the Japanese and Italian markets. There are many developed countries

25

who export granite dimensional blocks continuously to all the importing countries.

These countries are not short of machines, equipments, technology or stone

processing infrastructure, but, they continue to follow the international market

pattern and supply the dimensional blocks as they recognize block export as value

added exports. India has already lost its continuity in export drive due to the State

Government‟s prohibitive leasing policies. Many Enterpreneurs discontinued export

of their stones due to non-renewal of their quarry leases.

India does not have the capacity even if all companies join together to supply to one

big project or to a high rise building. Even in the entire world there are only about 10

big companies who have the expertise and equipments to supply to projects and

high rise buildings. Certain pieces like rounded columns, thin curved hand rails and

architectural pieces are beyond the expertise of the Indian stone industry. Even in

abroad only very few companies take up such jobs due to high technology. In India,

we have to frankly admit that we still have not advanced our technology in

processing building slabs to the International standard for projects where the

standards are very strict and the processing has to be very exact. Naturally, this

situation has to be overcome by gradual development in supply of easy processed

slabs and also continues supply of blocks to capture project jobs.

Further granite imports either as monuments or architectural pieces or as building

slabs or as tiles is only a single time import by the importer. Nothing is replaced in

the life time of the persons. Therefore, the misconception that there is a big market is

only a big fallacy. The off repeated loud talks that there are huge enormous markets

are nothing but myths and individual imaginations. There is always limitation for

any market, for any product and more so regarding granites and its products.

Therefore, an export market available for a country‟s stone cannot automatically

change in favour of India as there are many hidden factors referred to above. The

Indian exporters should carefully study all these aspects and develop their own

26

individual product and also cultivate and develop their own marketing instead of

just following somebody else.

The State Governments and the Government of India should allow the export of

dimensional blocks and also export of cut and polished granites and export of all

stone products as per the International demand pattern without any retraction. We

should allow the normal evolution and growth of the industry without hampering

the existing export for all the minor minerals in the country as there is no restriction

for inter-state movement or sale or in export policy and there is no insistence on

setting up of processing factories.

A particular branded stone has to be supplied in assured quantity for minimum of

50 to 100 years period and the stone masons always look forward to the same stone

to give family identities. Similarly even for building, a branded stone is required for

projects by popular architects and therefore it is evident that every branded stone

should have continuous production and supply to the export market. Naturally the

quarrying has to continue as this is the life line of the stone industry and its exports.

We should ensure and guard the continuous working of quarries and give guarantee

of assured definite supply to the export market. Many popular stones from India like

the Tumkur Phosphery, the Brown varieties of Bellary, the Pink variety of

Ananthapur and the Black Granite variety of Harur and many other stone varieties

of India have totally lost the market mainly because of discontinuation of the supply

and partly because of change of fashion.

The Indian Stone industry can establish itself as the second stone centre of the world

after Italy. Naturally India should also build up many more industries to

manufacture equipments, tools and machines of its own for proper development of

the Indian stone Industry. Frequently there is a big change in machines and its

technology and it should absorb and improve the technology and effectively market

products, which will create confidence in the export market for Indian stone varieties

by continuous supply and upgrading the technology. Definitely, Indian stones due

27

to its innumerable inherent variations in grains, colour and structural strength will

present a wide spectrum of beautiful stones to the world and all that we need is to

understand the natural stone and the competitive foreign market.

India has vast potential for different varieties of granite used in cutting and

polishing industry. The demand for Indian Granite in the International market was

very high due to its attractive colours, quality and price.

1.1.3.1 Granite Deposits in India

A few Government Department/undertakings have assessed the availability of

granite deposits as follows:

ORISSA:

Orissa‟s contribution is in terms of 58-60 mines raising 1,900 cubic meters of all types

of dimension stones. By 1991, the production sprang up to 3,350 cu m with an export

achievement of some 50% of the product, valued at around 25 million rupees.

Orissa‟s expectations could be estimated at 25,000 cu m of rising by 2000 AD, of

which 30% could be exported in processed form, 30% as dimensional blocks and the

balance fed into the country‟s equivalent of Rs.450-500 million at the turn of the

century. On date, Orissa has over 400 leases and over 125 working mines of all sizes,

accounting for annual export earnings of Rs.25 million and total revenue of over

Rs.30 million.

While Orissa‟s 1, 55, 842 sq.km of surface area is endowed with almost 2/3rd of this

as of granite sub crop, barely 30,000 sq.km could be deemed as readily quarriable,

free from technical defects and environmental baseless of the estimates of 100 m cu

m in 100 potential prospects up to 6m of depth had touched perhaps the fringes of

the Ice berg; optimistic resource estimates put the figure at around 6 million tonnes

up to 6 meters of depth.

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Beauty and durability being the points of interest for commercial granites, any

metamorphic or igneous rock from petrographic granite-syenite ends to dolerite-

gabbro or basalt qualify an inclusion in the rock list. However going by the trade

names as in the albums of the Orissa granite entrepreneurs and their locales of

availability, some common market brands are generalised in some selective areas in

Orissa.

WEST BENGAL:

Investigation for dimension stone granite is more a techno economical survey in

which equal weight has to be given to the mining, marketing and geological

prospecting. The prospecting work so far carried out by Director of Mines and

Geology, West Bengal and West Bengal Mineral Trading and Developing

Corporation is of preliminary nature. They could identify about thirty localities from

Purulia and Bankura districts within the Chotonagpur Gneiss complex and

Gondwanas terrains. The location of most of the coloured granite occurrences are

within the coarse pink porphyritic granite and massive Grey Granite. The black

granite occurrences are to the south of Ragunathpur Bero, (Purulia District) within

Chotonagpur Gneiss and Gondwanas rocks. A total of 10.50 million cubic meters of

extractable granite deposits was estimated from Purulia and Bankura district (DGM,

WB source) which include 9.20 million cubic meters of coloured granite and 1.30

million cubic meters of Black Granite. Out of 30 localities, limited exploration and

empirical estimation of reserve have been made for 12 localities. (Raghunathpur –

Purulia – Jhalada Sector).

Exploitation has been initiated for coloured granite in a semi-commercial operation

at Bero and Bharashini in Purulia district and for Black Granite in Ramakrishnapur -

Nandapur locality in Bankura district by WBMDTC. Recent survey by GSI indicates

that the Pink Porophyritic Granite in Bero is characterized by various colour shades

between large hummocks. Penetrating joint, spaced between 1-3m, favour separation

of 1 to 3m3 sized blocks. Due to prolonged exposure, some surfacial features like

29

exfoliation, gaping joints and cracks are developed which subsequently are

responsible for the development of staggering blocks of all sizes.

In a semi-commercial operation carried out between 1978-79 and 1985-86 at Bero in

Purulia, total quality of 400 m3 of rough-cut and partially dressed blocks of

porphyritic granite have been produced. Besides Purulia, bankura, some areas in

Bardhaman and Bankura districts are also identified by Director of Mines and

Geology, West Bengal.

West Bengal with 7 million cubic metres of various granitoid rocks in Purulia,

Bankura and Birbhum have significant future prospect in the global market if the

granite resources are properly identified and prospected. So far, 30 localities of

granite occurrences have been identified by the State Government and other

agencies in these districts. Out of these, three granite processing units have been set

up by the WBMTDC in Barashini and Bero areas in Purulia district and

Ramakrishnapur – Nandapur area in Bankura district. The production from these

three areas is of porphyritic pink granite and black granite types.

UTTAR PRADESH:

The increasing demand of Indian Granite in International market necessitated search

for dimensional stone in the Precambrian Dudhi Granitoid Complex forming

northern fringe of Indian Peninsular Shield in parts of sonbhadra District, Uttar

Pradesh. Approximately 3000 sq.km area of the complex is characterised by

scattered small granitic hillocks and boulder outcrops of granitic rocks at times

associated with older metamorphic in the alluvial cover. The younger granites and

pegmatites are met within the low grade metamorphic. Dolerite dykes are also

exposed in the area.

The utility of these rocks as dimensional stone was assessed on the basis of physical

parameters, workability, recovery, shape and size of blocks and polishing characters.

The physical parameters include uniformity of grain, size, colour, colour base, flow

30

structures, veins of silica or calcite (white lines), patches of light coloured minerals

(flowers) and dark coloured minerals (moles) and hair cracks.

The preliminary studies carried out on the Dudhi Granitoid Complex reveals

availability of good reserves of dimensional stone granite in Nimia Dih,

Baghmanwa, Naodeha, Mirgarani, Pahar, and Jhirgadandi and Black Granite in Shiv

Pahari. It is expected that the area not yet examined may show further promising

prospects for dimensional stone granite quarrying and processing industry.

The areas so far identified are easily approachable by well connected metalled and

unmetalled jeepable roads. The nearest Dudhi and Wyndhamganj railway stations

on Chopan-Garwa section are well connected with these roads. These areas are also

free for lease. Further scanty vegetation and lack of reserved forest in the area will

bring a dynamic change in social and economic conditions of this highly backward

area.

There is scarcity of water and electric supply in the area. Therefore it is imperative

that the rock processing workshops should be set up at such a place where the

availability of water and electric supply are ensured. The quarrying of the deposit

will not upset the geo-environment of the area. The excavations are to be made in

such a way so that these serve as reservoirs for storage of rain water. This ponded

water will recharge the aquifers leading to conservation of this dry and drab land

into green belt.

HARYANA:

Intrusive granites and associated derivatives occurring as inselbergs and isolated

hillocks in the Delhi Super group are confined to Bhiwani and Mahendragarh

districts only in parts of Haryana State. The Granite porphyry, porphyritic-biotite-

granite, granite and rhyolite in Bhilwani are much better that the granites,

granodiorites and granite-gneisses of Mahendragarh district. The Bhiwani granitoids

are fresh, homogenous, fine to medium grained, grey to pinkish in colour showing

aesthetic beauty whereas granitic rocks of Mahendragarh show dark shade due to

31

predominance to biotite and amphiboles. These rocks are being studied to evaluate

the geological parameters and polishing characteristics to assess their suitability as

dimension stone. The granite rocks of Bhiwani district is expected to meet the

requirement.

The granite and granite-gneiss of Mahendragarh district show abnormal

concentration of flaky minerals as well as enclaves of country rock and mineral

segregation. These defects together with weathered nature of the outcrop indicate

that these are not commercially viable. However, the cutting and polishing of the

rock will show the utility to be used as dimensional stones.

The granitoids of Bhiwani district seem to be more promising. The granite/rhyolite

rocks of this area are fresh, homogenous, massive and non-foliated. There is wide

variation in colour ranging in shades of pink and greenish gray. The rocks are very

hard, free from defects, flow and exhibit good polished surface, the rock is suitable

for use as dimensional stone. The closely spaced joints may render difficulties to

recover large size slabs. However tiles of 30 cm x 30 cm x 45 cm size can be prepared.

The granite of Dharan, Riwasa, Dulheri and Nigana was leased out to M/s. Haryana

Mineral Ltd. for granite quarrying and processing. The conventional blasting,

cutting and polishing cost were found to be uneconomical. Beside this, the finished

product made was less compared to the waste given out during granite processing

as such the exploration was discontinued. Thus it is evident that the attempts

without proper scientific studies will lead to such wasteful expenditure. The granite

rocks of the Haryana state have been taken up for scientific studies to evaluate and

delineate the promising area of exploitation.

RAJASTHAN:

Rajasthan has a variety of rocks covering over an area of about 3.42 lakh sq.km

occupied by vast areas of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age. All

these crystalline rocks are called as GRANITE in the market irrespective of its

32

composition and origin. They are used as building and ornamental stones because of

their texture, compressive strength, durability and their tendency of their texture to

take polish. The properties of minerals like hardness, chemical resistance, durability,

tenacity etc., contribute to overall suitability of the rocks for cutting and polishing.

The Precambrians of Rajasthan is a store house and depositary of hard building

material and consist of a wide spectrum of igneous and metamorphic rocks like

granites, gneisses, migmatites, syenites, granodiorites, charnokites, rhyolites,

dolerates, gabbors etc. These rocks occur as stocks, bosses, batholiths, dykes and sills

over a wide area in Alwar, Ajmeer, Banswara, Bhilwara, Barmer, Jaipur, Jalore,

Jodhpur, Jhunjhunu, Nagpur, Pali, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Tonk districts.

The estimation of reserves assuming the dimensions of the area can be calculated.

The recovery factor is a very important element for evaluation of any granite area. In

general, the percentage of recovery in the coloured granites can be expected around

30 to 40% depending on the nature of the deposit and selection of quarry face and

use of proper mining equipment. In case of Black Granite, from the dykes, the

recovery may vary from 6 to 10% if the deposit is sub-surface. The main objective of

the granite mining is to have large blocks of Gangsaw/Cutter size blocks. The

percentage of recovery of such blocks however, depends on the nature and mode of

occurrence of the granites. Younger intrusive granite which has not undergone

repeated deformation will yield large production of bigger blocks while the

metamorphic rock/granitised granite will yield lesser percentage of larger blocks

due to their nature and mode of occurrence.

There is a tremendous scope in the State for developing granite industry. There are

huge reserves of different types of rock suitable for the purpose in the State. These

widely distributed granite deposits/occurrences need to be systematically surveyed

with a view to delineate the potential areas for their quality, quantity, blockability

and minability.

33

Bundelkhand granite massif of Archaean-Proterozoic age (2525 Ma) covers approxi.

26000 Sq.Km area in the states of Utter Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. At least

twenty varieties of intrusive phases of porphyritic-medium grained granite, Leuco

granites, pegmatities, diorites, syenites, gabbro, pink granites and several types of

porphyries and three generations of dolerites available, which offers a suitable geo-

techtonic setup for the resource assessment of export-grade “Dimension Stone

Granite”. Base line data revealed that more than 400 hect. Area as “Granite lease

hold” has already been sanctioned to the private entrepreneurs in Sagar and

Jabalpur commissionaires.

Economic-industrial significance of Dimension Stone Granite has been realized by

the people as already worth Rs.20 crores, cutting-polishing units (Tiles and Slab)

including two Export Oriented units have been established in the area. Some of the

material (raw blocks) has been exported also, but slow pace of industrial

development is due to certain Geo-Techno-Economic Factors.

Large batholithic bodies, sheet rock and dolerites of Budelkhand Granite complex

and Malanjkhand Granitoid, Tirodigeneiss, Sausar/Sakolis, Amla granites, Madam

Mahal granites and their equivalents have potential for jet Black, Paradiso, Kashmir

White, Green Galaxy, Tiger Skin, Massan Green, Sira Grey, IIkal Pink, Ruby Red and

some new exportable premium grades.

MAHARASHTRA:

Major part of Maharashtra is covered by the Deccan basalt the volcanic equivalent of

dolerite also termed in trade as “Black Granite”. Although the basalt is dark

coloured and fine grained, other factors such as texture, associated minerals and

polishing characters do not attribute commercial value to the rock, while the dolerite

has got international value. Numerous dolerite dykes of possible commercial value

occur in the Deccan basalt province. Individual dykes extend over a strike length

varying from a few hundred metres to 70 km. or more. Cumulative length of some of

the dykes may extend beyond 100 km. (All widths varying from 1 m to 100m). Many

34

of these dykes examined were found to be fractured and not viable for mining for

dimensional stones. But there is still enough number of dykes which can yield good

blocks and they can also take good polish. Further studies for identifying suitable

areas and resources are in progress to determine the commercial aspects of these

dykes in parts of Maharashtra.

The pink and grey varieties of granites and dolerite dykes are exposed in the

Sindhudurg. Nanded, Chandrapur, Nagpur and Bhandara district. Fine to medium

grained, massive and banded types of lithounits have also been reported, besides

medium grained pyroxenites with bronzite are exposed in some areas forming

hillocks. All such areas have been demarcated for locating economically viable

granite deposits in Maharashtra. Petrographic, geo-technical and mineability studies

are in progress.

MEGHALAYA:

Meghalaya state is rich in granite deposits. The grey and pink porphyritic granites

and leucogranite can be exploited for granite industry. These granites may find

market in the countries like Italy, Germany, Korea and Taiwan.

The dimension stone industry is fast developing and it is necessary to find new

granite deposits for future utilization. Meghalaya state has not yet witnessed the

effects of “Granite Boom” probably due to its difficult terrain conditions and its

remoteness from the rest of the country.

Meghalaya state is rich in its granite deposits and they occur as many plutons viz.,

South Khasi Batholith, Mylliem Pluton, Nongpoh Pluton, Kyrdem Pluton and

Rongjeng Granite. The above granite bodies are similar in occurrence, petrology and

mineralogy. These granites are mainly porphyritic type and grey to pink in colour.

Light coloured, fine to medium grained varieties of varying shades of grey and pink

are also available in the state.

35

The grey and pink porphyritic granites are similar to the porphyritic granites

occurring in Nigeria and Portugal. This type of granite is being quarried in Andhra

Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa. The leucogranite resembles the Korean grey granite

and the „Sierra Granite‟ of Karnataka. The total mineable reserve of the above

discussed five granite bodies of Meghalaya is in the order of 10 million cu m up to a

depth of 10 to 15m.

In spite of the climatic conditions of the region and distance from the nearest port,

the granite can be economically exploited with bulk export orders adopting modern

scientific quarrying methods, so as to increase the recovery percentage and also to

minimize the production cost. With the recent trend in the world granite market,

especially for the multicoloured granites, the virgin granite deposits identified in

Meghalaya state may find a suitable place in the Granite Map of India and may start

generating foreign exchange to the country and job opportunities for many in the

state.

ASSAM:

Geo-technical study in pink granite deposits of Dokmoka area in Karbianglong

district of Assam was carried out. The area covered by survey was 3.5 sq.km on

1:2000 scale. The most promising deposit is Mahamaya deposit which occurs as

inselberg. Pink granite of the area is generally medium grained with both vertical

and horizontal joints. Besides that different minor felspathic material affected by

granite is in some portion. Geo-technical study indicates that the deposit is very

suitable for large dimension block mining. The specific gravity of the rock and the

hardness are 2.65 and 6.15 respectively. The porosity value is generally 1.5% with the

crushing value of 35%. The aggregate impact value is 41%. About 30 million cubic

meter of best quality granite is available in the area. The granite is suitably near the

national highway No.39 and is easily accessible. The study indicates that this granite

deposit is very suitable for developing decorative stone industry as other

infrastructure like electric power, water, labour are easily available in the area.

36

KARNATAKA:

The state of Karnataka as any other shield is endowed with vast resources of quartz

of felspathic gneisses, granite and associated dyke rocks suitable for use as

dimensional stones. These rocks are being used as building materials from times of

immemorial and the increasing aesthetic sense of modern man has created an

international demand for these commercial granites. From a small beginning made

in 1930‟s, the granite exports from the state have grown to the present level of

contributing about 40% to India‟s granite exports. There is an increasing demand for

Indian granites in International market and the export earnings during 1994-95 are

estimated to reach Rs.600 crores and by the year 2000 these exports are expected to

be in the range of Rs.1000 crores.

The hospet and other equivalent younger granites and the peninsular Gneissic

Complex are major storehouses of dimensional/ornamental stones resources

comprising pink, red, grey and multicolour varieties while the basic dykes

traversing these terrains provide the black and green granite resources. The

charnockites and felsites also contribute to the total resources of the state. The

lithologies of the green stone belts and the Deccan basalts were not found to be

suitable for the granite industry, while the quartzites and the dolomites etc. of the

sedimentary basin fall under different category of dimensional stones.

The hospet granite, its equivalents and the younger Chamundi granite extend over

an area of 20, 000 sq.km and the important close pet granite extends in the districts of

Bangalore, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Bellary, Raichur and Southeastern parts of Bijapur.

The equivalent Chintamani and Patna granites are in kolar district and

Heggadadevanakote granite of Mysore district is also considered to be of younger

age. All these granites are characterized by pink and grey types and their porphyritic

varieties are being exploited in all the localities mentioned. The adjoining gneisses

and algnatities with bonds of pink and red feldspars, probably related to granite

activity are marked as multicolour granites and are being exploited in Bangalore,

Tumkur, Raichur and Mandya districts.

37

The basic dykes in southern parts of the state with clouded feldspars are being

exploited as black granites in Mysore, Bangalore, and Mandya districts are greenish

grey in colour and are being exploited as green granites. About 85% of the total

resources of the state are confined to the districts of Mysore, Bangalore, Kolar,

Tumkur, Bellary, Raichur and Southeastern parts of Bijapur.

The State of Karnataka is the repository of excellent dimensional/ornamental stone

granites. The growth of the industry till date is mainly due to the efforts of private

entrepreneurs and systematic and scientific evaluation of the resource and its

commercial quality has not been made so far. To meet the requirements of increasing

international demand and competition in the international market geological

evaluation and identification of new varieties in terms of colour and texture has

become essential for healthy growth of the industry.

TAMILNADU:

Black Granite is the popular name given to the basic rock known as dolerite and

most of the black granites being exploited are dolerites. Mineral constituents,

textures, grain size and other features contribute to the quality of rock. Due to the

inherent vitreous lustre of the minerals in the dolerite the polished surface appears

as mirror like finish. The black granites of Tamil Nadu usually occur as long linear

dykes extending a few kilometres with or without breaks. Black granites are

exploited by open cast mining methods. The demand of black granite in foreign

countries has been steadily increasing since 1970.

Tamil Nadu has abundant reserves of black granite especially in northern district.

Black granite is mainly used as tombstones, monumental stones, wall panelling,

floor tiles, kitchen tops etc. The width of the dykes rarely exceeds 100m. Since they

are resistant to weathering they stand out as prominent knolls or high grounds and

sometimes form the crest of the hillocks. They are quite compact and hard and the

compactness is due to the interlocking of the mineral grains. The mirror like finish of

38

polished surface is due to the inherent vitreous lustre of the fine to medium grained

mineral forming the rock. Since the dykes must have been injected as hot liquids into

the pre existing fracture zones or weak zones in the country rocks, their shapes, sizes

and widths are largely controlled by such fractures and shear zones. At places they

show an intrusive relationship to the country rocks. Further, at the places, the

contracts of the dykes and the host rocks show evidence of heating. In certain cases

the contacts are sharp like knife edge. The tensional joints developed during the

cooling processes in the dyke rocks, limit the size of the raw blocks obtainable from

each occurrence. The co-efficient of heat transmission by the host rocks determines

the grain size of the dykes to develop a uniform grain size preferably fine grained,

when including the acid charnockites while in host rocks like granite gneisses,

gneisses they are medium to coarse grained. At the contact, the dykes are fine

grained due to sudden cooling while towards centre they are medium to course

grained. Similarly the dykes show variations in mineral constituents which largely

influence the quality of the rocks and hence the polishing characteristics.

KERALA:

Kerala State consists of vast expanses of Archaean rocks ranging from a basement

complex of high grade granulitic facies of metamorphites and high temperature

facies of meta-sedimentary rocks both pervaded by later meta-somatic facies of

Peninsular Gneissic complex with its syntectonic and late tectonic magmatism giving

rise to plutonic intrusive rocks. Very young basic intrusive probably related to the

Deccan Volcanism are also present in all variants offering a variety of hard silicate

rocks. Some of these could be exploited as dimension stones provided individual

occurrences are assessed for their commercial viability.

39

1.1.4 Industry Review and Prospects

India has major resources of marble, granite, sandstone, Kotahstone, quartzite and

slate. Granite resources are largely available in South India and Marble deposits are

largely available in Western India (Rajasthan & Gujarat). India is amongst the

leading exporter of stones in the world. Indian stone Exports comprise mainly

Granite Cut Blocks, Granite Slabs and Tiles. The major importers of Indian stones are

USA, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Germany and China.

Indian granite is well known in the International market, not only for its elegance

and aesthetic quality, but also for its durability. However, in FY08, Granite exports

declined by 9% to Rs.4, 287 cr from Rs.4, 725 cr in FY07 mainly due to the

appreciation of the Indian rupee. With the current rupee depreciation, the industry is

likely to gain. However, global economic recession has significantly hit granite

exports. Therefore, granite exporters are shifting focus to the domestic market. In

India, the granite retail industry is not organised. Consumers tend to bargain unlike

the USA where fixed prices are in operation for seasons. It will take some time for

the granite industry to establish its presence in the domestic market. Indian granite

exporters face competition from ceramic and vitrified tiles industry and Brazilian

granite industry. Brand building and marketing coupled with ability to innovate

with respect to products will be critical for companies to maintain their profitability

in the highly competitive granite industry.

Minerals, rocks and mineral waste constitute the major raw materials in industrial

development; and this does not require any special emphasis. Bihar, though,

generally designated as an underdeveloped State in India, has been endowed with a

very fair proportion of mineral wealth of the country. It is really a very paradoxical

situation, a State which was once at the top of the mineral production map of India

(during mid – fifties to mid – sixties) is now nearly having a bottom place in such

maps.

40

Chotanagpur region of Bihar State has the unique direction of possessing the part of

the core, the mantle, and the proto-crust formed as early as about 3,900 million years

ago when the early history of the Earth was being created. The most abundant rock

types within the Chotanagpur gneiss are granitoid gneisses and migmatites. The

early history of the Singhbhum-Orissa region indicates that 3800 Ma old rocks

occupy a substantial area of over 1000 sq.km. in the region (Sarkar and Saha, 1977,

Basu et al. 1981). This is the portion of the original super-continent, called the

Pangaea, which developed out of the proto-crust during the Archaean and the

Proterozoic times. Singhbhum granite is one of the oldest cratonic rocks in the

Earth‟s history. It has, not only a great significance in the study of the geological

history, but has a great impact on the industrial development of Bihar.

1.1.4.1 POLICY DIRECTIVES

The various aspects of the Granite Industry which determines the prospects of

Indian Granite Industry are described in the following paragraphs.

Granite classified as a minor mineral under Mines and Minerals (Regulation and

Development) Act, 1957, is administered entirely by the State Governments. Each

state has formulated its own policy without any progressive outlook leading to

widespread disparities in the policies from state to state which is detrimental to the

overall growth of the industry.

Availability of quality raw material is one of the deciding factors for the survival of

the industry. In India it is difficult to get long-term lease as in foreign countries. In

many European countries quarry leases are granted for 30 to 99 years while in India

it could be anything from 2 to 20 years. Leaving Andhra Pradesh, where the lease

period is 15 to 20 years, in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the lease period is

only 2 years without assurance of timely renewal of the leases.

In addition to this several states insist that for acquiring quarries, companies should

have the processing facilities located in the state. In order to serve customers with a

41

variety of colours, units have to acquire mines in different states since the coloured

granite reserves are scattered over number of states. Hence, for a company setting up

processing unit in states, where it has quarries often proves to be unviable. Till now

no big corporate house has entered the industry and the reason could be the frequent

interference of state Governments, lack of perspective policy and above all the

political clout one should maintain to survive. However, once granite is shifted to

major mineral category there is every chance of the giants entering into this business.

DEMAND/SUPPLY:

Currently global demand for granite is estimated at 15 to 20 million tonnes per

annum worth Rs.5000 crores. However due to recession in Japan and parts of

Europe, the figure does not reflect the true potential demand. With the resurgence of

the World economy from recession the demand for granite is gaining momentum.

The US market has started improving and Far East and South East Asia are

emerging as major markets. Japan, traditionally a major importer of dimensional

blocks is increasing its imports of processed products due to the labour shortage in

their processing works. Indian granite industry can take advantage of the trend as

products have good acceptance in the Japanese market. Further, a recent

development of Japan is the increasing number of people who build their graves

before they dies. This has resulted in the dramatic increase in the demand for tomb

stones. Owing to all these reasons the industry sources estimate the demand growth

to be around 13 to 15 percent per annum by the turn of the century. However, in all

the markets construction sector is the major consumer of granite where extremely

short delivery schedule exist. Hence, India should develop a stable operating

capacity to meet the exacting standards.

International production of granite over the last few years has experienced a rapid

increase with the advent of new entrepreneurs in the global scenario. The world

production of granite is 10 million tonnes per annum with nearly 40 countries

competing hard to mark their presence in the global market. The USA, Greece,

Spain, Belgium, France, Japan and Brazil account for about 70 per cent of the world

42

granite production with Italy continuing to be the world‟s major granite producer,

though its share has declined from 70 per cent to 30 per cent. While production in

France, the USA and Belgium has declined, Spain and Greece have substantially

increased their output of granite products, whereas South Korea, South Africa,

China, India and Brazil are relatively new entrants.

Demand for granite is highly colour specific. There are around 500 colours of granite

of which 25 to 30 are the most popular in the global markets. Fortunately Indian

reserves provide around 80 varieties of granite which includes 5 to 6 popular colours

also. Good black, good red, star galaxy, paradise and white are the popular colours

available in India and Andhra Pradesh is the only known geological source in the

world for star galaxy.

RAW MATERIAL:

Raw Material plays a crucial role in deciding the prospects of a company in this

industry. Though processing of the rough blocks yields value addition, the intrinsic

value lies in the quality of the block. Companies having quarries yielding granite

blocks in the colours that have international acceptance will consistently do well in

the long run. Although a comprehensive assessment of the nature, size and colour of

the Indian Granite is not readily available, it is estimated that the present reserve is

237 million cubic meters of which 46 percent is in the South, 36 percent in the North/

North East and 23 per cent in the Western Region. Further, explorations could

possibly yield useful reserves that can last in Toto for at least another ten centuries at

the present rate of consumption.

The optimal realization of quality blocks from natural granite deposits depends on

effective mining on quarrying operations carried out scientifically through

automated machinery. In India, the techniques employed for mining are outdated

and inefficient leading to huge wastages and adversely affects the quality of the

product. There is no systematic quarry opening and development. Most of the

43

mining is done manually and a lot of blasting is still done which apart from wasting

the rich mineral source, often induces hairline cracks in the nearly quarries. The

yield efficiency depends on the block size extracted from the quarry. Larger the

block size higher the efficiency. Indian block size itself being restricted to 2.2 mt x 1.2

mt x 1.2 mt contributes directly to very low productivity of the order of 40 per cent

with conventional gang saws. Though high-tech machinery is employed for

extracting large blocks, the industry faces constraints of shortage of skill and

experienced manpower.

TECHNOLOGY:

Technology involved is the prime entry barrier in the industry. Right from the

excavation of quarries to the processing of the final product every intermediate step

is high-tech. The value addition to granite can be significant only when the raw

block is dressed and the surface is polished with ultrafine abrasives using

sophisticated machinery. This will help bring out the full texture of the stone thus

lending a distinctive touch to the product.

Owing to their long term association with the industry, European countries have

developed technological excellence. Italy has achieved great strides in the field and

hence is considered to be the world centre of the stone industry. Germany, Japan,

Italy and France are all leaders in the manufacture of machinery tools; consumables

etc., and possess high technology and fabrication know-how.

Indian industry till recently was engaged in exporting rough and dimensional blocks

to countries like Japan, Italy and USA where they were processed and resold at high

value realizations. Due to this, the industry is inexperienced in the application and

use of the latest technologies developed abroad. However, the recent entry of the

corporate sector in the industry facilitated technology absorption at a faster pace.

44

COMPETITIVE MARKETS:

Traditionally Europe, USA and Japan are the major consumers of granite. With the

recent economic boom and an increased construction activity the South East Asian

and far Eastern countries have emerged as major markets of granite. It is estimated

that the use of granite in these countries have registered a growth of over 15 per cent

in the last four years. Affluent countries like Mauritius and Middle East are

surfacing as potential customers. Since granite is one of the heavy monolithic

products, freight costs involved in exports are substantial. India is thus in

advantageous position compared to Italy in the emerging Asian and Middle East

Markets.

Indian Granite Industry is solely dependent on the International Market where

presently intense competition prevails. Some of the countries like USA, Italy and

Japan which have not sufficient reserves resolve to import rough and dimensional

blocks from the developing countries for processing and exports. Owing to their well

established processing industries and technical excellence their finished products

command a good market confidence.

With the entry of the corporate sector only in the recent past the Industry is in a

nascent stage. Lack of adequate policy support resulting in scarcity of raw material,

low levels of technology and shortage of trained manpower have had an adverse

impact on the prospects of the industry. As a result, Indian granites are not able to

compete effectively in the international markets.

EXPORTS:

Initially rough and dimensional blocks constituted 80 to 90 per cent of the total

Indian exports. With an increased awareness about the profit and for earning

potential of the industry the government started encouraging private sector to

venture into the industry. According to the figures available in 1991-92, percentage

of dimensional blocks in the total exports was 47 per cent while that of the value

added products was 24 per cent. Though the figures indicate that growth trend has

45

been more towards polished granite, industry source emphasize that the ratio

should stabilize at 1:1. However there is a divergence of opinion between the

industry and State. The Government discourages the export of dimensional blocks so

that processing could be done and thus value addition gains can be retained in the

country itself, classifying the dimensional block as a commodity, the Government

wants an immediate shift to value added exports. In insisting on value addition in

the short-tem the government has lost sight of current realities. Value addition might

have been an effective war cry, if it meant increase off-takes for Indian granite in the

World market right away. But at the upper end of the global market, regular supply

is a decisive factor in influencing sales. The strategy should be to bring a quick glaze

of foreign exchange earnings by encouraging exports of dimensional blocks. With

the largest exporter, Italy, not adding to its output in the last two years, the fifteen

per cent growth in the global market presents a golden opportunity. An increased

presence in the dimensional blocks market will convince possible buyers of value

added granite that Indian exporters will not default on supplies. This is the essential

pre-condition for the long-term strategy, which involves gradual switch to increased

proportions of processed granite. The slow transition is essential since it will provide

Indian exporters enough time and earnings to invest in the necessary equipment.

Granite is a „Minor Mineral‟ under the MMDR Act, 1957. The grant of various

mineral concessions for granite is therefore, administered under the Minor Mineral

Concession Rules of the respective State Governments. However, the Granite

Conservation and Development Rules, 1999 aims at uniform rules for conservation,

systematic development and scientific exploitation of granite resources. GCDR, 1999

inter alia, provides for:

Prospecting licences (PL) prior to grant of mining lease; Period of PL; Minimum and

Maximum period of mining lease; Preparation of scheme of prospecting; Mining

Plan to be prepared for grant of mining lease; etc.

46

As per the export-import policy for 2004-09 and the foreign Trade Policy as amended

with effect from 1st April 2008, the imports of granite monumental and building

stone falling under heading No.2516 (whether or nor roughly/trimmed or cut into

blocks or slabs) are restricted. On the other hand, worked granite blocks/tiles under

sub-heading 680223 can be imported freely.

ENVIRONMENT

The mining of granite started initially in the bouldery zone had little damage to the

environment. As more and more blocks in huge sizes were to meet the demand, the

sheet rock was approached by making cut in the ground and by removing top soil or

overburden, which resulted in general degradation of environment.

Environmental problems are similar to any opencast mining operations. The general

degradation of land due to unscientific and selective mining is a common feature.

Because of paucity of suitable land is leased area, the overburden, consisting of soil

and weathered material, is being dumped in a disorganised manner in nearby fields,

waterways, etc., creating hindrance to cultivation and natural waterways; besides,

air pollution causing breathing problems. Further, the blasting and movement of

heavy vehicles generate dust and aggravates air pollution in addition to noise

pollution.

The processing of granite requires huge quantities of water for cutting and polishing.

In some cases, kerosene and lime water are used as coolants for cutting purpose.

Although most of the kerosene and lime is recycled, there are always chances of

mixing these coolants with natural water courses.

Sludge generated during cutting needs proper disposal to avoid increased silting

and pollution of the natural waterways.

47

For abating environmental pollution, guidelines have been spelt out in GCDR, 1999.

The technology for making artificial stone called Terrazzo will prove to be a boon for

the utilisation of waste generated during mining and processing.

WORLD REVIEW

China

China has turned into a natural stone giant with rapid development, particularly in

the last five years. There are four main regions for natural stone production and

handling imports and exports: the provinces of Shandong, Fujian, Sichuan and

Guangdong. The key centres of Chinese stone processing have been created mainly

in Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong. Their chief function is to process local and

imported materials into products for decorative interior finishing. Large quantities

of natural stone are also imported for processing into gravestones for the Japanese

and Korean market. About 50,000 companies currently operate in the stone sector in

China.

Brazil

Brazil is indisputably a world power in today‟s natural stone sector. It is the largest

producer in the world and well-known for producing prime varieties like Juparna,

Classico and Tijuca black, from quarries located at the outskirts of Rio. Major areas

of production are in Minas Gerais where multicoloured granite is produced. The

yellow Veneziano variety of granite is produced in Victoria State.

The present trend of finished products clearly indicates high growth rates in the

coming years. More than half the production is being exported. Brazilian exports of

finished natural stone products are heavily geared to the North American market.

Around 80% of the total Brazilian exports of finished products go to the United

States. In terms of weight, around half the Brazilian natural stone exports include

rough blocks of granite.

48

Italy

The major players in the natural stone markets have changed dramatically in a short

space of time. Italy as main producer and Germany customer have been replaced by

China and the USA, respectively. Italy has a broad, in-depth know-how to stone

quarrying and processing based on centuries of experience, but in the mass

production segment, it has been overtaken by China, India and Iran. Other countries

like Brazil and Turkey have also made big strides and are in a position to pose a

challenge to Italy.

USA

The natural stone market in USA has grown strongly in the past years. The USA has

gradually become second most important consumer of natural stone after China, in

the world, in absolute figures.

The local production of natural stone has increased strongly in the USA. As a result

of increasing imports of blocks, the quantity processed in the USA itself has also

risen markedly. Around 30% of present natural stone finished goods in the USA are

created in its own production plants.

Russia

The demand for natural stone in Russia is growing noticeably due to the dynamic

building industry. The import share in Russia is large, especially for processed

stones, as marble and granite are increasingly purchased abroad for prestige reasons.

The potential is considerable. The biggest demand for natural stones at present is

mainly in the cities of Moscow, St.Petersburg and Krasnodar. Expectations are high

from private customers to provide the strongest stimulation for demand in the near

future.

49

Portugal

Natural stone is available in appreciable quantities in Portugal. About 1,000

companies produce approximately 2.6 million tonnes of rough blocks from over 500

quarries. Over 40% of Portuguese natural stone production was exported; mainly to

Spain, France, England, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Portugal is number six in the world ranking of countries producing natural stone.

However, exports have been dropping for past two years.

Norway

The extraction of natural stone (mainly Labrador) in Norway reached new records.

The production of rough stone has risen continuously since the start of the nineties.

The largest part of the production is exported in the form of raw materials. The key

customers are Italy and to a heavily increasing extent China. On the other hand,

imports of natural stone finished goods have more than doubled within a decade.

Sweden

Sweden has extracted between 300,000 and 400,000 tonnes natural stone a year in the

past ten years- with a slightly rising tendency. A large part of this stone is exported

in the form of rough blocks and rough slabs. Swedish domestic consumption of

natural stone reached its highest level of 170,000 tonnes in 2000 and has

continuously declined since then.

FOREIGN TRADE

Exports

Granite is an important commodity amongst ores and minerals which is being

exported from the country. It is mainly traded in the form of crude or roughly

trimmed blocks; as cut blocks and slabs; and as polished blocks and tiles. The export

value of granite (total) decreased to Rs. 4,287 crore in 2007 – 08 from Rs. 4,725 crore

in 2006 – 07 and contributed about 4.5% of all –Indian exports of minerals & ores,

next only to diamond and iron ore exports. The share of crude or roughly trimmed

50

blocks was about 35% at Rs. 1,479 crore followed by granite (polished blocks/tiles)

31% at Rs. 1,333 crore, granite (others) 29% at Rs. 1,252 crore and granite (cut

blocks/slabs) 5% at Rs. 223 crore. USA was the most important buyer for granite and

its share in the total value of exports was 24% followed by China (19%) and Italy

(8%) (Tables – 1.6 to 1.10).

Table –1.6: Exports of Granite: Total (By Countries)

Country

2006-07 2007-08

Qty (t)

Value (Rs. „000)

Qty (t)

Value (Rs. „000)

All Countries 3291823 47248406 3701361 428724852

USA 378731 11881091 485970 10148566

China 1078133 9340089 405191 8036215

Italy 477432 4516046 409778 3416049

UK 82821 1993593 85283 2017695

Germany 65728 1897596 67514 1826119

U A E 82668 1717080 90836 1656013

Belgium 123251 1570497 120234 1624735

Hong Kong 177731 1561622 245045 1454193

Chinese Taipei/ Taiwan

186562

1335636

188717

1390583

Spain 130402 1547829 99555 1152229

Other countries

508364 9887327 503238 10152455

Table –1. 7: Exports of Granite (Crude or Roughly Trimmed) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All Countries 2147415 17033727 2563921 14794490

China 1006519 8491255 1293026 6690762

Italy 322633 2705465 383851 2862963

Hong Kong 164342 1400541 237955 1344420

Chinese Taipei/Taiwan

175665 1231045 171464 1209539

Spain 68303 516617 82074 720440

Belgium 92499 498117 86922 522232

USA 87065 202583 143133 400825

Thailand 13711 106647 17379 148190

Norway 22358 129711 25248 132895

Chile 101793 1155695 - -

Other Countries 92527 596051 122859 762224

51

Table – 1. 8: Exports of Granite (Cut Blocks/Slabs) (By Countries)

Country

2006 - 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 294407 2317061 336619 2230540

China 31408 234490 79579 532091

USA 1742 13495 85805 352543

UK 33051 268022 34474 249229

UAE 7877 76088 12177 120544

Chinese Taipei/ Taiwan

6322 42040 14392 109843

Germany 7474 38835 11950 78495

Italy 124171 1037461 10286 76392

Nepal 10846 53009 10698 60247

Spain 27809 239397 6074 56904

Hong Kong 5943 54323 4808 48715

Other countries 37764 259901 66376 545537

Table – 1.9: Exports of Granite (Others) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 297587 9977818 387005 12524202

USA 108280 4430832 126836 4613281

UK 17761 734907 23968 1030028

UAE 22848 494209 37251 785949

Germany 18949 699216 19130 731262

Turkey 11025 246926 30984 694562

Canada 7551 315496 10802 418732

Belgium 7651 308285 9269 379079

Netherlands 8809 322246 9125 344124

France 4768 227434 5885 277491

Spain 13182 267053 4962 168458

Other countries 76763 1931214 108793 3081236

52

Table – 1.10: Exports of Granite (Polished Blocks/Tiles) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 552414 1791800 413816 13325620

USA 181644 7234181 130196 4781917

Germany 27585 1116627 24181 967378

China 33525 527065 29978 757718

Belgium 21083 750151 19902 694483

UK 20734 927199 16130 685242

U A E 48675 1126948 30232 646725

Netherlands 19953 724133 13550 537736

Canada 13922 584239 12701 505271

Italy 23821 632244 12450 352149

Spain 21108 524762 6445 206427

Other countries 140364 3772251 118051 3190574

Imports

In 2007 – 08, imports of granite (total) decreased to 37,621 tonnes from 41, 301 tonnes

in the previous year. Out of the total imports, 20,383 tonnes were of crude and

roughly trimmed granite, 3,439 tonnes of cut blocks/slabs, 7,229 tonnes of polished

blocks/tiles and 6,570 tonnes of other granite. Granite was mostly imported from

Saudi Arabia (29%) and Norway (28%) (Tables – 1.11 to 1.15).

Table – 1.11 Imports of Granite: Total (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 41301 843620 37621 599360

Norway 11984 301937 10359 195707

Saudi Arabia 16775 294869 11060 135693

China 1192 20588 3393 57028

Finland 2710 49701 3099 48353

South Africa 1541 27620 2645 46205

Ukraine 29 3245 1010 20835

Brazil 1414 20739 1611 18280

Italy 2070 44228 590 13570

Iran 531 7282 573 8392

USA 303 15046 298 7948

Other countries 2752 58365 2983 47313

53

Table – 1.12 Imports of Granite (Crude or Roughly Trimmed) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 18494 302412 20383 287386

Saudi Arabia 9617 135354 8377 91890

Norway 4814 116009 3235 71820

South Africa 676 10366 1879 32773

Finland 1334 17355 2227 32668

Ukraine - - 756 13096

Brazil 985 8686 1294 11901

UAE - - 526 11306

Iran 521 6956 573 8392

Sweden 58 1789 315 6671

Switzerland 154 2313 155 2493

Other countries 335 3584 1046 4376

Table – 1.13 Imports of Granite (Cut Blocks/Slabs) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 - 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 2401 34299 3439 47961

Norway 244 6388 2389 30723

Finland - - 600 7059

South Africa 136 1788 212 4075

Saudi Arabia 42 433 104 3116

Belgium - - 22 1261

Ukraine - - 64 1022

Italy 545 6704 2 90

Hong Kong 909 10291 - -

Spain 359 5568 - -

Vietnam 70 2292 - -

Other countries 96 835 46 615

54

Table – 1.14 Imports of Granite (Polished Blocks/Tiles) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 14564 389753 7229 148290

Norway 5162 152453 3926 76036

Saudi Arabia 6755 153384 1659 29666

Ukraine 29 3245 190 6717

South Africa 637 11596 362 6390

Finland 697 23029 57 5945

USA 172 10139 163 4446

China 12 1004 78 3583

Italy 228 6796 94 3032

Brazil 429 12053 236 2838

Indonesia 113 6099 - -

Other countries 330 9955 464 9637

Table – 1.15 Imports of Granite (Others) (By Countries)

Country

2006 – 07 2007 – 08

Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000) Qty (t) Value (Rs. „000)

All countries 5842 117156 6570 115723

China 866 16864 3315 53445

Norway 1764 27087 809 17128

Saudi Arabia 361 5698 920 11021

Italy 1276 30430 494 10448

Thailand - - 80 3906

Brazil - - 81 3541

South Africa 92 3870 192 2967

Finland 679 9317 215 2681

USA 110 4606 85 2639

Canada 276 6546 - -

Other countries 418 12738 379 7947

55

FUTURE OUTLOOK

The granite resources in the country are very large which can last for hundreds of

years to meet demand – both domestic and export. The Indian granites can match

the best granites produced in the world in terms of quality. The Indian granite is

well established in the world market and it brings considerable amount of foreign

exchange to the country.

The mining and processing techniques of granite adopted in the country have

improved but need further improvement/upgradation so as to enable the Indian

granite to compete in the international markets, especially with countries like China,

South Africa, Italy, Brazil and Canada. The Granite Conservation and Development

Rules, 1999 are expected to bring uniformity and stability in quarry leases for granite

and facilitate scientific mining which will ultimately help in proper planning,

utilisation and management of granite resources in the country.

As per the XI Plan document it is estimated that domestic industry shall grow at the

rate of 20% per year during the XI Plan period.

56

1.2 NEED FOR THE STUDY

India is the third largest granite producing country in the world and granite is the

third largest exchange earner after diamond and iron ore. Granite Industry is highly

capital intensive, labour intensive, risk intensive, fashion and fancy oriented, export

oriented, and is highly competitive. Further granite industry has got vast potential

and prospects in terms of employment generation, investment, revenue, earnings,

exports potential and foreign exchange earnings. In spite of these prospects, the

granite industry is confronted with several problems and adequate research work on

granite industry has not been conducted so far and still it remained as an unexplored

area. Therefore, it is felt that there is a greater need to investigate into the

entrepreneurial aspects involving problems and prospects of granite industry.

1.3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Granite Usage:

Granite has been used for centuries as a constructions stone because of it properties.

Menkaure‟s Pyramid in Egypt was build of limestone and granite blocks. The third

largest Egyptian pyramid was named The Red Pyramid of Egypt based on the

granite color on surface. Many Hindu temples are also made of granite in southern

India. Nowadays granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as

flooring tiles both in public and commercial buildings and monuments. Increasing

amount of acid rain in different parts of the world has been the reason why granite

has begun to substitute marble as monument material, since it is more durable.

Polished granite is also nowadays a widely used choice for kitchen countertops due

to its high durability. (Ezine Articles)

Granite has been used as building material for centuries but few decades ago its

hardness was limiting the used applications. Within the innovations in technology

especially diamond technology and developments in the architectural and

decoration field the granite industry has taken a new direction. Nowadays there are

machines and tools that can slice and polish granite to five different finishes to suit

57

the purpose. The use of water jet cutting machines, CNC machines and diamond

tools have revolutionised the industry. The granite can be polished and cut as

customers want it to be. (Stone Panorama 2009, p.38.)

Granite has become one of the most popular building materials. It has been used for

thousands of years in both interior and exterior applications. Granite dimension

stone is used in buildings, bridges, paving, monuments and many other exterior

projects. In indoor decoration polished granite slabs and tiles are used in

countertops, tile floors, stair treads and many other design elements. The industry

has seen a sudden spurt in granite‟s use as countertops for example kitchen,

bathroom and reception counters. There is massive demand for granite countertops

in the UK, Middle East, North America and other countries in Far-East and Europe.

There has been negative propaganda stating that granite is not sage building

material and this has affected demand level by slowing growth. These statements

have however started disappearing after scientific studies have proved that granite

is a safe material and it is not causing any harm to mankind. (Stone Panorama 2009,

p.38; Geology)

Today in India granite is used widely in domestic construction sector, monuments

construction markets, hospitality industry, export market and handicraft and

antiques. The material is starting to be more well-known and popular because of

technological advancements, sophisticated quarrying techniques, and decreased cost

of mining and growth in usage as material in the decoration sector. Granite as

material is showing beauty and long-lasting value and therefore people have started

to use it more and more in memorials and in other funerary items. Today granite is

popular material in laying floors and cladding walls in airports, hotels and other

public and commercial centres. A large shopping mall was recently built in Dubai

and there was used 30 000 square meters of granite in 26 qualities of granite from all

over the world. These kinds of projects can create huge profits to companies and at

the same time create competition among different producers. (Stone Panorama 2009,

p.39.)

58

Granite Markets

The worldwide import and export of stone has continued to grow for many years.

One major reason is the dynamic growth in of South-East Asia. There domestic

consumption, output and import and export have risen and will continue to do so.

The main explanation for this is the overall performance of the Chinese economy

that has influenced the whole sector. The other centre of the international stone trade

is the United States. Domestic production is significant, but still has never been

sufficient to meet the market‟s internal needs. This shortfall is fulfilled by using

imports. China has been for some time the largest processor of granite and exports of

processed granite has changed the face of the whole sector by radically altering the

role of traditional processors such as Spain and Italy and producers such as South

Africa. These countries are now losing a share worldwide. Only large countries such

as India and Brazil have managed to keep up with the development with China.

(Natural Stone in the World 2006, p. 25.)

The main goal globally is to produce an attractive quality-price ratio taking

competitors into consideration. European producers and processors have the

Atlantic to cross and a strong euro that weight heavily on exports. Combining these

factors with difference in production costs and more strict regulations involved with

environmental and production issues makes it more challenging to export European

production. These are also reasons why European exports often tend to look more at

regional and domestic markets. North American markets have continued to

consume stone at a steady volume and Brazil has gained the biggest share and profit

for this consumption. India has also benefitted from this increase of consumption.

The latest forecast made by the OECD presents a view of the world future

development that is geographically more balanced than it has been in the past. The

stone sector is changing and adaption new demand and change in requirements.

Change provides opportunities to those who know how to exploit them and perhaps

there is the future challenge for the whole stone sector. (Natural Stone in the World

2006, pp.26-29.)

59

Granite Production

The general model includes two production types that work all over the world. The

list involves raw materials that are so special because of their property such as color

and quality. Each country has unique soil and therefore the natural stone base looks

different. Some countries do not have their own reserve of granite at all because of

the composition of soil. The hardness and durability are relatively similar in

different continents. The different colors of granite are therefore the most important

visual criteria for selecting certain granite qualities. Sometimes markets pay them

special attention because of fashion, price or specific period. Trends in construction

and interior decoration fields can show in the consumption of different granite

qualities. Also cultural aspects define which colors represent positive meanings, e.g.

in China red color represents happiness and wealth. In many countries colors

represent certain values or beliefs and therefore it is important to consider the

different meanings when promoting different stone qualities. (Natural Stone in the

World 2006, p.29.)

The second type involves selected products that are processed in such a manner that

only a few companies can supply them. This can result technical difficulties in the

process or the specific project itself that is so unique. Also short delivery times can

explain why just few companies are able to respond to the demand. This market

segment is clearly smaller and therefore there are only few producers that are

specialized in it. It is also a segment of varying quality available sizes, volume,

delivery times and additional services are creating more value for the customer.

These cases indicate why it is not always enough to have the right machinery and

materials to succeed in the markets. (Natural Stone in the World, p. 29.)

60

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1) To review the origin and growth of granite industry in India, with a focus on

core aspects of the granite industry.

2) To examine the availability of various types of granite deposits in Andhra

Pradesh with a particular emphasis on district-wise granite deposits.

3) To study the status of granite industry in Andhra Pradesh.

4) To analyse the various problems faced by the granite industry with reference

to selected granite units in Andhra Pradesh.

5) To present the prospects of Granite Industry in Andhra Pradesh; and

6) To offer suitable suggestions for the development of granite industry, keeping

in view the problems highlighted by the study.

1.5 SOURCES OF DATA AND METHODOLOGY

Data for the study has been collected from primary and secondary sources.

The primary data was collected with the help of questionnaire specially

designed for the purpose and data collected was through interviews and

personal discussions held with the entrepreneurs of sample units.

The secondary data was collected from the Commissioner of Industries,

Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation and

Department of Mines and Geology. Besides this, data was also collected from

Journals, Periodicals, News papers, Magazines etc.

For the purpose of the study 30 sample units have been selected from

different parts of the state taking into account the place of location, size of the

unit, type of organization, age of the units and back ground of the

entrepreneurs.

The data collected from the above sources was processed, analyzed,

interpreted and presented in the study. At the end, inferences have been

drawn and suitable suggestions were offered for the growth and development

of Granite Industry.

61

1.6 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

1) A major limitation of the study is the lack of availability of comprehensive

data relating to various aspects of granite industry.

2) Due to lack of co-ordination amongst the institutions/ agencies, no systematic

data have been created on statistics pertaining to granite industry in Andhra

Pradesh.

3) The entrepreneurs were suspicious and hence not willing to provide

information about exports, sales in domestic markets and exact quantity from

the quarries.

1.7 CHAPTERISATION

The Study has been organised into Six Chapters:

Chapter – I: INTRODUCTION TO GRANITE INDUSTRY IN INDIA, REVIEW OF

LITERATURE AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Chapter – II: GRANITE DEPOSITS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Chapter – III: PROFILE OF GRANITE INDUSTRY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Chapter – IV: PROBLEMS OF GRANITE INDUSTRY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Chapter – V: PROSPECTS OF GRANITE INDUSTRY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Chapter –VI: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS