THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. STATISTICAL OUTLOOK
3. MARBLE INDUSTRY
4. GRANITE INDUSTRY
5. SANDSTONE
6. FLAGGY LIMESTONE
7. SLATE
8. FOCUS ON RAJASTHAN

1
2
4
6
7
8
9
10

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

11

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.
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.

THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

STATISTICAL OUTLOOK

Major Importers

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

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 .

THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

Color & Pattern: Snow white, Creamish white, White with grayish/ black bands and
Wavy patterns, pink, pink with bluish bands, green, yellow, black, multi-color 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
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 1996-97
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:

THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

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

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:

665
1128 million Cu. M.

THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

Quality of Granite: Hardness 6 to 7 on Moh's scale

Granite Processing Capacity:
Slabs - 1.5 million sq.m.
Tiles - 5.0 million sq.m.

Sandstone

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

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.

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.

THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

Rajasthan's share in Indian Stone production

THE INDIAN MARBLE INDUSTRY

Mineral

% of India's total production

Marble

91%

Kotahstone (Flaggy limestone)

90%

Sandstone

90%

Slate

10%

Granite

2.2%

10