A TALK BY

MUJIB U. SIDDIQUIAssistant Mineral Economist (Int.)

OnMARBLE MINING & PROCESSING

STONE TOOLS

DIMENSION STONES

➲ Dimension stone can be defined as natural rock material

quarried for the purpose of obtaining blocks or slabs that meet

specifications as to size (width, length, and thickness) and shape

(Barton, 1968, p. 4). Color, grain texture and pattern, and

surface finish of the stone are also normal requirements.

Durability (essentially based on mineral composition and

hardness and past performance), strength, and the ability of the

stone to take a polish are other important selection criteria.

method of finishing a stone, and the type of finish applied

(Stone World, 2001, p. 106-139).

India has a long history of utilisation of stones. Towering temples,

acquisitive carvings, huge imposing palaces, monuments,

musoleums, minarets, gates and artefacts speaks volumes about

the use of stones, let it be the Khajuraho, Delwara temples, caves

of Ajanta & Ellora, stupas of Sanchi, Konarktemple, Buland

Darwaza of Fatehpur Sikri, Victory Tower ofChittorgarh, Forts of

Rajasthan, U.P and Delhi all have been built using one stone or

other.

The Taj Mahal, beauty par excellence built in 17th century by

Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz

Mahal has been built using white marble from Makrana area,

Nagaur Distt. of Rajasthan.

Although Delwara temple at Mount Abu, built earlier than

Taj Mahal could not give impetus to marble industry as the Taj

had given. It has remained the trademark of India for the last

three hundred years.

MARBLE

➲ The term marble is derived from the Latin word MURMUR which itselfcame from Greek root ‘Marmorous’ meaning ‘Shining Stone’.

➲ Murmur in Persian means ‘White’ and ‘Sang’ means stone hence

‘Sange-murmur’

➲ Geological definition: A metamorphosed limestone produced byrecrystallisation under condition of thermal and also regionalmetamorphism.

➲ In commercial parlance almost any rock which can take polish easily –more especially unmetamorphosed lime stones are termed as marble.

➲ Marble definition (USGS):Commercial marble includes metamorphosedlime stones and serpentine rocks, all of which are capable of taking apolish. An important member of this classification is serpentine marble,which is also known as Verde antique, and comprises green-to-blackserpentine, which is a hydrous magnesium silicate mineral that iscrisscrossed by veins of lighter minerals, such as calcite or dolomite.

Why is marble so beautiful?

It is largely consisting of calcite, whose boundaries are fused.

This has the ability to transmit lights to a depth of 12.7 to 38

millimeters from where it is reflected by the surfaces of deeper

lying crystals which gives a pleasing and cool look. Your eyes

will never tire off looking at marble.

TYPES OF MARBLE

. True marbles (recrystallised metamorphic limestone, calciferous and cipolin (siliceous marbles)

➲ · Limestone dolomite and polishable calcareous breccia

➲ · Travertine deposited from water solutions

➲ · Onyx

➲ · Calcareous alabaster

➲ · Serpentines

➲ · Ophicalcite (serpentine limestones)

➲ · Verde-antique (massive serpentine with crossed vein lets ofother minerals like calcite/dolomite)

Indian Classification of Marble

➲ BIS : 1130-1969 (reaffirmed in October 1998) for marble blocks, slabs and tiles to be utilised asdimension stone has classified marbles into 25 different categories comprising 7 categoriesunder a broad group of white marbles and 18 categories under a group of coloured marbles , 8new varieties are also in the trade

The important new types not included in BIS classification are:

➲ 1) Yellow marble of Jaisalmer

➲ 2) Pista marble (amphibolite variety) of Andhi-Jhiri belt, Jaipur, Alwar and Dausadistricts, Rajasthan

➲ 3) Brown green and golden ultramafics of Dunkar, Churu district, Rajasthan

➲ 4) Chocolate-brown and English teak wood marble of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan

➲ 5) Parrot green marble of Jhilo in Sikar district, Rajasthan

➲ 6) Chocolate-brown or wood finish marble of Mandaldeh, Chittaurgarh district, Rajasthan➲➲ 7) Purple marble of Tripura Sundari in Banswara district, Rajasthan

➲ 8) Blue marble of Desuri in Pali district, Rajasthan

International Classification of marble

Group ASound marbles with uniform and favourable working qualities containing no geological flaws

or voids.

Group BMarbles similar in character to the preceding group, but less favourable working qualities

may have natural faults such as hairline cracks, voids and inclusions, a limited amountof wasting, sticking and filling may be required.

Group CMarbles with some variation in working qualities, geological flaws, voids, veins and lines of

separation are common. It is standard practice to repair these variations by one or moreof several methods - wasting, sticking, filling or cementing. Liners and other forms ofreinforcement are used when necessary.

Group DMarbles similar to Group C but containing a larger proportion of natural faults such as cracks,

voids, discolouration, maximum variations in working qualities and requiring more of thesame methods of finishing. This group comprises many of the highly coloured marblessignificant for their decorative values.The soundness classifications merely indicate what method and amount of repair and fabrication is necessary prior or during installation, as based on standard trade practices.

Resources of Marble

Geological distribution:

Dharwar System:

The marble belonging to Dharwar System is mostly distributed in Aravali and Raialo Series of

Rajasthan, Champaner Series of Gujarat, Sakoli Series of Madhya Pradesh and Chilpi Series

of Maharashtra.

Cuddapah and Delhi Systems

Marble deposits of Cuddapah System are located in the Papaghani Series of Andhra Pradesh,

Bijawar series of Madhya Pradesh and Kaladgi Series of Karnataka. Delhi System marbles

are located in Alwar Series and Ajabgarh Series of Rajasthan. Marbles of Ajabgarh Series are

exposed around Jaipur Bharatpur, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Mewar, Udaipur and Sirohi areas of

Rajasthan; Danta and Palanpur area of Gujarat; and Narnaul area of Haryana.

Vindhyan System

It is mostly found in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, and Guntur & Kurnool districts of Andhra

Pradesh. Bhima Series are developed in Bijapur and Gulburga districts of Karnataka. Marble

belonging to Vindhyan System is of creamy, grey, bluish and buff in colours and is capable of

taking a good polish.

Jurassic System

Fossiliferous limestones of Jurassic System occurring in Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of

Rajasthan take very good polish.

Cretaceous System

Coraline limestone belonging to Bagh Beds of Upper Cretaceous age furnish a very handsome

marble capable of taking a good polish and are located at Kherwan, Chirakhan and Bowarle in

Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

Geographical Distribution

Andhra Pradesh: Khamam,Cuddapah,Nellore districts

Gujarat : Ambuja Marble deposit, Banakantha dist, Ambaji, Jarivav, Kumbheri,

Kateshwar,Bharaj, Khikla etc. Chhuchupura Marble deposit in Vadodra districts

Haryana : Antri – Beharipur, Zainpur, Chappra-Bibipur, Nangal durg, Islampur and Dhanota-

Dhancoli in Mahendergarh districts.

Jammu & Kashmir : Doda and Kupwada districts.

Maharashtra: Near villages Katta-Hiwara, Kadbikhera, Sakaritola, Pauni, Chorbaoli,Deolapar,

Mansar, Kandri, Chargaon, Junewani, etc. in Nagpur district.

Madhya Pradesh : Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Harda, Sidhi and Jhabua districts.

Rajasthan:20Districts : Ajmer,Alwar,Banswara,Bhilwara,Bundi,Chittorgarh,Churu,

Dausa,Dungarpur,Jaipur,Jaisalmer,Jalore,Jodhpur,Nagaur,Pali,Rajsamand,

Sikar,Udaipur

Resources of Marble 1.4.2005 (UNFC) (Grade-wise)(000 t)

(Cat 121 & 122) Cat 333)(Max.)

Grade Reserve Resources Total

Total 4700 178938 1792638

White colour 373 8193 8566

Off colour 108 677435 677543

Unclassified 0 1080531 1080531

Not known 4219 21779 25998

State wise Resources of Marble, 1.4.2005 (UNFC)(000 tonnes)

State Reserves Resources Total

Andhra Pradesh 0 3 3

Chhattisgarh 0 3000 83000

Gujarat 0 93740 93740

Haryana 0 22328 22328

J & K 0 404703 404703

Maharashtra 324 57723 58047

Rajasthan 2184 1118058 1122435

Sikkim 0 2382 2382

Uttarakhand 0 6000 6000

STATE WISE RESOURCES OF MARBLE AS ON

1.4.2005

Rajasthan

62.61%

Sikkim

0.13%

Maharashtra

3.24%

J & K

22.58%

Haryana

1.25%

Gujarat

5.23%Chhattisgarh

4.63%

Andhra Pradesh

0.00%Uttarakhand

0.33%

Total resources v/s Production

State Total resources NMI 1.4.2005

(million tonnes)

Production (2005-06)

(Rs. million)

Chhattisgarh 83 Nil

Gujarat 94 490

Haryana 22 Nil

Jammu & Kashmir 405 Nil

Madhya Pradesh Not covered 245

Maharashtra 58 Nil

Orissa Not covered 0.4

Rajasthan 1122 11916

Sikkim 2 Nil

Uttarakhand 6 Nil

Production

➲ Blocks➲ Khandas➲ Luffers➲ Slabs➲ Tiles➲ Karezy➲ Artefacts➲ Statues➲ Garden

Furniture➲ Lattices

All India Value of production ,2001-02 to 2005-06(Value: Rs. Million)

2001-02 4425

2002-03 5535

2003-04 5443

2004-05 5780

2005-06 12652

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

YEAR

Valu

e R

s.M

illi

on

Production

State-wise Value of production (Value: Rs.’000)

State 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Andhra Pradesh

1435 448 373 659 695

Gujarat 315612 294576 287242 312587 490042

Jharkhand - - - - 106

Madhya Pradesh

15634 97278 177106 244845 244845

Orissa 210 362 415 415 415

Rajasthan 4092393 5141838 4978112 5221400 11916345

STATE WISE PRODUCTION OF MARBLE,2005-06

(VALUE WISE)

Rajasthan

94.182%

Gujarat

3.873%

Jharkhand

0.001%

Madhya Pradesh

1.935%

Orissa

0.003%

Andhra Pradesh

0.005%

MARBLE MINING AND PROCESSING

Mining of marble

➲ marble mines are semi-mechanised and few are fully

mechanised

➲ preferred mining method is 'Bench-Quarrying'

➲ mining machineries like line drillers, chain saws, belt

saws, diamond wire saw cutters, derrick cranes,

loaders and tippers are used

➲ ultimate product in marble mining is parallelepiped

regular blocks, luffers and khandas

➲ Fully mechanised mines recover about 35% regular

blocks, 30% luffers and 30% khandas

CONVENTIONAL MINING

SEMI MECHANISED MINING

Extraction of key block ,Gully or Toda making

Toppling of Thaddi or Phada

Use of Hydro bags for toppling Thaddi

Block cutting from Thaddi using Wire Saw

Block cutting or Khasra karna from Thaddi usingWire Saw

Block shifting by fork lift

Derrick Crane for Block Lifting

MODERN MINING TECHNIQUES

Processing of marble

➲ Dressing of block by single blade cutter or wire saw cutter

➲ Fixing on trolley for gang saw cutting

➲ Cutting blocks by gang saw or Circular saw

➲ Processing of marble is done mainly to get sawn slabs and

tiles of varying thickness

➲ Recovery of slabs from regular blocks after processing

ranges from 60 to 70 per cent

INDUSTRY FLOW DIAGRAM

AGENTS DIRECT SALES

EXPORTS

FLOORING TABLE TOPS VANITIES MOSAIC

CLADDING KITCHEN TOPS FACADE SKIRTING

WHOLE SELLERS

STONE FINISHERS

CONTRACTORS

RETAILERS

SLAB DISTRBUTION

SLABS/TILES

STONE PROCESSORS

LOCAL SALES

LOCAL SALES

MUSEUMS

HOTELS

PERSONAL

EXPORTS

ORNAMENTAL

ARTEFACTS

MONUMENTS

RAW BLOCKS

QUARRY/

PRODUCERS

Dressing Block for Gang Saw

Multi Disc Circular Saw

Cutting By Gang Saw

PLACEMENT OF BLADES AND CUTTING WASTE IN GANG SAW

Various Sizes of Slabs/Tiles

MODERN WIRE SAW MACHINE

VARIABLE THICKNESS OF SLABS BY WIRE SAW

DECORATIVE PIECES CUT BY WIRE SAW

PILLAR SECTIONS CUT BY WIRE SAW

STRENTHENING MARBLE SLAB BY NETTING AND ALUMINIUM

PANEL

T H E A R T M A K E R S

Designer Tile sequence

Inlay Work

Inlay Work

Inlay Work

Inlay Work

Decorative sofa

Statue made from Makrana Marble

Statue made from Makrana Marble

Statue made from Black Marble

CARVING USING LASER SENSOR AND CNC MACHINE

JALI CUT BY WATER JET

STAIR CASES CUT BY WIRE SAW

Jali (Lattice ) Work

Decorative Balls of Stone

TRADE

Major Trading countries from India

Major Exports Major Imports

U.S.A Italy

China Sri Lanka

Hong Kong Turkey

Italy Egypt

Spain Oman

U.A.E Vietnam

Iran

Exports of Marble (Total ) (Quantity & Value )

Year Quantity

000tValue

Rs. MillionPer Unit

Value

2001-02 170 1841 10.82

2002-03 253 1894 7.49

2003-04 261 2383 9.13

2004-05 242 2230 9.21

2005-06 259 2494 9.62

Exports of Marble by type(Dressed & Others)

(Quantity : in 000 t) ; (Value: in Rs. Million)

Dressed Others

Year Quan

tity

Value PerUnit

Value

Quan

tity

Value PerUnit

Value

2001-02 157 1716 10.92 13 125 9.62

2002-03 239 1748 7.31 14 146 10.43

2003-04 175 1875 10.71 59 392 6.64

2004-05 202 1728 8.55 40 502 12.55

2005-06 198 1611 8.14 61 883 14.48

Value of Exports of Marble vis-à-vis Granite (Total)Value: Rs. Million

Year Marble Granite

2001-02 1841 18739

2002-03 1894 23746

2003-04 2383 25063

2004-05 2230 27258

2005-06 2494 34906

Imports of Marble (Total)(Quantity : in 000 t) ; (Value: in Rs. Million)

Year Quantity Value Per Unit

Value

2001-02 52 922 17.73

2002-03 87 1476 16.96

2003-04 97 1713 17.65

2004-05 134 2564 19.13

2005-06 182 3410 18.73

Total Demand (Value-wise)(Rs. million)

Year Produ

ction

Export Balance

A

Imports

B

Total

consumption

A+B

2001-02 4425 1841 2584 922 3506

2002-03 5535 1894 3641 1476 5117

2003-04 5443 2383 3060 1713 4773

2004-05 5780 2230 3550 2564 6114

2005-06 12652 2494 10158 3410 13568

DEMAND OF MARBLE (Value in Rs. Million)

y = 2112.1x + 279.3

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2011-

2012

Series1 DEMAND OF MARBLE

POLICY

➲ Marble, and other stones are minor minerals, as per the definition contained

under Section 3 (e) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act,

1957.

➲ Group on Marble Development

➲ Subgroup- 'Building up a Database on Marble'

➲ Subgroup- 'Examining Mechanisation in Marble Quarries'

➲ both the Subgroups had submitted the reports.

➲ Marble Development and Conservation Rules (MDCR), 2002 framed for

conservation and systematic development and scientific mining of marble

throughout the country

➲ As per the export-import policy announced for the years 2004-09; the imports

of Marble (excluding alabaster) under heading 2515 and Marble & other items

under code no. 25174100 and 25174900 are restricted.

SWOT MATRIX

STRENGTH

Huge deposits

High quality stones

A developed quarrying base

A leading exporter of stones which is ranked 3rd in the world

Cheap availability of labour

Easy availability of indigenously developed machinery

Large domestic market

A well established distribution network within India

A large processing capacity

A tradition of stone architecture & usage

WEAKNESS

Low quality awareness in customers

Poor quality consciousness in manufacturers

Absence of a training mechanism for the stone industry and a resultant shortage of

skilled and trained workforce

Lack of scientific exploitation techniques in quarries

Poor polishing and finishing techniques

Poor segregation, sorting and gradation

Improper packaging practices

Inability to stick to a strict delivery schedule

Improper installation techniques. Lack of promotion of new deposit areas

Dumping of stones abroad at low prices

Lack of Value addition for the export market

Absence of long-term and a rational policies

Absence of sales tax initiatives to the stone craft industry

Lack of understanding about the need for testing of stones

Lack of testing facilities in Northern India

Unorganised

Lack of education and training facilities

Lack of global outlook

Presence of unscrupulous exporters

OPPORTUNITIES

A large domestic market

Increase in construction activity in India

Increasing awareness amongst Architects

Unexplored potential for exports growth

An expanding work market

An increased trend towards exports of finished goods

Globalisation and liberalization

Strategic location with sea links to all the major continents

Export Demand for stone handicrafts

Export potential of sandstone and slates

THREATS

Opening up of import regulations

Competition from ceramic products

Import restriction in Europe without proper test certifications

Widespread environmental degradation

Closure due to unscientific exploitation

Rescession due to over production

Competition from China, South Africa, South Korea, Brazil, Turkey,

South Korea etc.

Group promotion strategies of competitor countries

Dropping prices of Indian stones in the International market