Indian granite is known world-wide for its beauty and use in homes. In fact, 90% of India’s stone production is exported around the world. Within its own borders India uses natural stone as a building material more than any other country. India not only uses granite and other stone for exterior construction, but for monuments, statues, mausoleums, headstones, artwork, etc.
In total India has 43 quarries:
12 in Andhra Pradesh
13 in Karnataka
3 in Rajasthan
14 in Tamil Nadu
Indian Black Granite
If you love granite, then you already know that every slab is unique and cannot be matched. Granite is as unique as the country and soil that it comes from. Black granite is found in abundance in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The two variations, Jet black or Black Galaxy are some of the most beautiful granite configurations you can find. Particularly, Black Galaxy, which has a solid black background sprinkled with specks of gold is breathtaking. This granite is always in high demand but depending of the current yield the supply may be limited. The quarries that Black Galaxy is extracted from faces some logistical challenges that often make it difficult to remove large blocks. This means that often times only smaller slabs are available for shipping. The United States granite market most commonly calls for large slabs. China however has a pretty substantial market for smaller slabs therefore a large amount of the Indian Black Galaxy granite is exported there.
The Future of Indian Granite
Although the Indian granite market is thriving, economists have begun to speculate on its longevity. Part of this depends on the preservation of quarries, their surrounding ecosystems, and the health neighboring communities and laborers. India is one of the heavy exporters of granite that is taking steps to ensure these are addressed. For instance, they are slowly making sure that all Indian quarries use green manufacturing techniques like electric based machinery versus diesel run machinery to reduce pollution. They are also making sure that all of the quarries are surrounded by lush vegetation and large amount of shrubbery to absorb as much residual pollution emitted as possible. Indian quarries are also using non-explosive blasting materials which reduces unnecessary health hazards to laborers.
Another determining factor to the livelihood of India’s granite industry is the satisfaction of the Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry. This organization was formed to oversee and manage the mining of stone across the country. This body of people invested in keeping India’s stone industry alive have committed to tackling the following concerns:
• Keeping up with current technological advances in machinery and extraction processes
• Ensuring that India has strong and trustworthy trade relations with countries across the globe
• Making sure that there is a gold standard for fair pricing and the quality of the stone exported
• Commit to representing the industry in front of governments to address all current issues that come forth in the exporting of stone
• Educating all people in the industry regardless of their job and position
• Managing quarry leases
• Making sure that environmental concerns are addressed
If those in the stone industry work with the Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry to tackle the above issues and follow all guidelines set forth mines will remain open, quarry leases will be granted and extended, and trade conditions will promote prosperity.