THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
INTRODUCTION
STATISTICAL OUTLOOK
MARBLE INDUSTRY
GRANITE INDUSTRY
SANDSTONE
FLAGGY LIMESTONE
SLATE
FOCUS ON RAJASTHAN
1
2
4
6
7
8
9
10
1
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
INDIAN STONE INDUSTRY PROFILE
INTRODUCTION
India has major resources of marble, granite, sandstone, Kotahstone, quartzite &
slate. Granite resources are largely in South India and Marble deposits are largely
in Western India (Rajasthan & Gujarat).
The highest producer of stones
-
Highest producer of dimensional stones in the world accounting for over 27%
of the world stone production.
16.16 million tons of stone production in the year 1997-98 out of a total world
production of 61 million tons.
Over 2 million people are employed in stone sector.
Indian Stone Production (In Thousand tons)
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
Marble
1966
2244
2086
2627
3186
3712
3622
Granite
989
3073
3618
4460
4555
4550
4950
Sandstone
4411
4435
3978
3304
4562
5501
5461
Flaggy
Limestone
620
996
823
1407
1760
1710
2118
Slate
3
5
4
9
7
11
8
Total
7989
10753
10509
11807
14070
15484
16159
(Source: State Department of Mines & Geology and All India Granites & Stones
Association)
Marching towards global leadership
-
Export of Stones - US $ 301 million (Rs.13,000 million) in 1997--98
India ranks 3rd in world stone exports with a 10.8% share in 1997 (in terms
of tonnage).
India ranks 1st in Raw Siliceous product (Granite & Sandstone) exports.
India ranks 5th in Raw Calcareous product (Marble & Flaggy Limestone) exports.
India ranks 9th in exports of finished stone products
The bulk (90%) of the Indian stone exports is by way rough granite and marble blocks
and only about 10% is by way of value added or branded products. Indian stone
industry and the Government have set a target of raising this to 50% over the next 5
years.
2
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
The bulk of the Indian stones are produced in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Tamilnadu,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Rajasthan accounts for nearly 90% of all the marble
produced and the other three states in Southern India produce almost all the granite
exported.
STATISTICAL OUTLOOK
Major Importers
3
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
India possesses enormous deposits of all types of natural dimensional stones with a
variety of properties
Marble
Granite
Kotahstone(Flaggylimestone)
Sandstone
Slate





-
Dimensional blocks
Slabs and tiles
Monuments
Architectural and sculptured pieces
Moulded pieces
Cobbles and pavement stones
StoneHandicrafts/Artifacts
4
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
MARBLE INDUSTRY
Indian marble is highly acclaimed in the international market. World famous Taj
mahal is testimony of exotic quality snow white marble from Makrana region.
Availability: In districts of Nagaur, Udaipur, Banswara, Jaipur Sirohi, Bhilwara,
Ajmer, Bundi, Pali, Dungarpur,Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer and Sikar, Rajsamand, Alwar
.
Color & Pattern: Snow white, Creamish white, White with grayish/ black bands
and Wavy patterns, pink, pink with bluish bands, green, yellow, black, multicolor etc.
Export varieties: Snow white - very fine-grained, green and pink. Indian green
is highly priced and is the most desired marble in demand the world over.
Number of mining leases: About 3600
Marble Processing Capacity:
Slabs - 1000 million sq.ft. p.a.
Tile - 300 million sq.ft. p.a.
Marble the pride of India




Practically inexhaustible marble deposits -over 1200 million tons
Splendid varieties of white, green, black, grey, pink, yellow
Physical and mechanical properties complying with international standards
Amongst the top 5 countries in marble exports
A Vibrant Industry






Total Investment - over Rs.40,000 million (US $1,000 million)
About 4,000 mining leases
Block production 3.7 million tons in 1996-97
About 1,100 modern gangsaw units and 50 Automatic tiling plants
More than 5,000 trading companies
Employing about 1 million people
5
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY




Fast developing modern mechanised quarries
Over 300 quarries using diamond wiresaw & chainsaw cutter quarrying
technology
Modern & well equipped factories with advanced Italian technology for cutting,
processing, polishing and handling
Marble slab & tile production: 1300 million sq. ft per annum
Impressive Marble Export
 Increase of over 300% from US $ 9 million in 1992-93 to US $ 27 million in 199697
 Excellent quality export varieties - Green, Onyx, Indo Italian, White and Pink
marble
 High quality polished marble tiles & slabs and green & white marble blocks
correspond to demand in the foreign market
 High export demand for marble handicrafts
 Key marble export markets - USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, UAE, EC
countries
Major Marble Centres of India

Prominent marble quarrying and processing centres in India are:
Rajasthan
 Udaipur-Rajsamand -Chittorgarh region
 Makrana-Kishangarh region
 Banswara - Dungarpur region
 Abu region
 Andhi (Jaipur) - Jhiri (Alwar) region
 Jaisalmer region
Gujarat
 Ambaji region
 Makrana-Kishangarh region
GRANITE INDUSTRY
6
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
Granite
 Ranks 1st in Raw Siliceous Exports in the world
 Exports valued at 244 million dollars in 1997-98
 Widespread availability - Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Orissa,
Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
 Estimated Geological Reserves - Over 5,000 million cubic metres
 Important Quarrying & Processing Centres - Bangalore, Bellary, Hospet,
Chamrajnagar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Warangal, Jhansi, Jalore, Pali, Barmer etc.
 Magnificent Varieties - Merry Gold, Platinum White, Mokalsar Green, Rosy
Pink, Nagina Green, Tiger Skin, Royal Gold, Jhansi Red, Galaxy Black, Kashmir
White, Paradiso, Cira Grey, Juparana, Absolute Black, New Imperial Red, Raw
Silk etc.
Availability: In districts of Barmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Alwar, Jaipur Jhunjhunu,
Tonk, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Sikar and Udaipur.
Color & Pattern: Pink, Grey, Green, Multi-color, Bluish white, Red, Golden
Cream, Paradiso Black, Banded with wavy pattern, white with spots etc.
Export varieties: Rosy Pink, Golden Pearl, Chima Pink, Anglo Grey,
Royal Cream, Platinum white, Snow white, Tiger black, Imperial Pink, Mokalsar
Green, Nagina Green, Jalore Pink, Kharda Red, Blue Pearl, Paradiso Red, Brownish
Green, Jhunjhunu Red, Yellowish & Pink.
Number of mining leases:
Geological Reserves:
Quality of Granite:
Granite Processing Capacity:
665
1128 million Cu. M.
Hardness 6 to 7 on Moh's scale
Slabs - 1.5 million sq.m.
Tiles - 5.0 million sq.m.
Sandstone
7
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
UMAID BHAVAN
MANDOR SANDSTONE TEMPLE
In India sandstone is extensively used in residential houses, office buildings,
commercial complexes, hotels, restaurants and special monuments. Artefacts made
of stone - screens, fountains, pedestals, columns, arches, balusters, railings - have
become popular. The present trend is to make these stone carvings in the best
possible manner with man and machines. The recent example of the use of
sandstone screens and columns was the renovation of Leela Palace Goa Resort in
Goa, where the American architect decided to remove the existing granite/marble
columns and decor and replace it with sandstone. Architects in Bahrain, Saudi
Arabia and U.S.A have extensively promoted items made of sandstone. In the
entire Middle East - Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait – architects
have used sandstone carved materials in residential villas. Even the architects from
U.S.A. who are constructing villas in Saudi Arabia have used sandstone carvings.
Some architects from Riyadh are very much fascinated with Indian sandstone
architecture. In their each and every new creation, some stone carvings are used for
their clients. They want century old stone art to be revived today.







Widespread availability - Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh
Important Quarrying & Processing Centres - Bharatpur, Dholpur, Kota,
Sawaimadhopur, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Nimbhahera, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jhalawar,
Pali and Jaisalmer
Impressive Colours & Patterns: Red, Buff, Beige, Pink, Flaggy sandstone.
Splendid Varieties: Rainbow, Teak, Modak, Kher, Budh, Bansi Pink, Mandana,
Dholpur Red and Beige etc.
Estimated Geological Reserves: Over 1,000 million tons
Production in 1997-98: Over 5 million tons
Exports in 1997-98: US$ 2.5 million
FLAGGY LIMESTONE
8
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY





Widespread availability - Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh
Color & pattern - Greenish Blue, Pale Brown & Black
Important Quarrying & Processing Centres - Ramganjmandi, Modak,
Cuddapah
Estimated Geological Reserves - Over 2,000 million tons
Production - Over 2 million tons

Important Export Varieties: Kota blue, Kota Brown Etc.
Occurrence: In districts of Kota, - Chittorgarh & Jhalawar.
Important centres are Ramganj, Mandi, Suket, Chechat, Morak, Manpura
No. of Mining Leases:
Export Potential:
130
In Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and Singapore.
SLATE
Occurrence: In districts of Alwar, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Pali,
Udaipur, Churu, Chittorgarh. However, slate deposits of Alwar district are of
exportable quality.
Color & Pattern: Greyish black, multicolour, Brown, Red etc.
No. of mining leases: 32
Export markets: Holland, Germany, Australia, Japan and Singapore.
9
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
FOCUS ON THE MAJOR CITY: RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan is the major producer of Marble in India. Granite is produced in the
states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Orissa & Uttar Pradesh.
10
THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY
Rajasthan's share in Indian Stone production
Mineral
% of India's total production
Marble
91%
Kotahstone (Flaggy limestone)
90%
Sandstone
90%
Slate
10%
Granite
2.2%
11