GRANITE

The term 'Granite' is derived from latin word 'Granum' meaning 'grain' because it's granular in nature. Granite is a common, coarse-grained, light-colored, hard igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz, orthoclase or microcline and mica. Granite stone is typically hardest of the dimensional stones and can effectively withstand the vagaries of nature. Granite tiles are quite literally, as old as the earth, perfect for use in residential and commercial flooring applications. Granite Slabs are ideal for fabricating granite counter tops, flooring, retaining walls and landscaping around a center fountain/pond.

Structure of Granite

Granite is composed of quartz, feldspars and micas, as well as traces of a wide variety of other minerals. These minerals contribute to the color and texture of the various granites. Crystal size is somewhat determined by the rate at which the granite cools: the slower the cooling process, the larger the crystals grow. Faster cooling produces fine-grained granites. Granites get their wonderful variety of colors and patterns from minerals that are melted into the liquid mass as it is formed.

Use of Granite

Granite is an important structural and ornamental stone, and due to its high compressive strength and durability, it is used for massive structural work and for building. Fine-grained granite is employed for ornamental and monumental work as well as for inscription purposes. It is the hardest of structural stones. Its mineral-rich colors, the hardness and density, make it an ideal choice for flooring, counter tops, vanities as well as exterior applications. A broad range of elegant patterns and colors makes granite the most versatile and durable of all stones. It is also known as the maintenance-free stone.

Granite in India

Rajasthan 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 fold 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 stones has increased by over 50% average growth rate per year.

Status of Granite Industries in Rajasthan

A large number of granite based processing units are operating in Rajasthan including many processing units of large and imported Gangsaws. Some of these are totally export oriented units. A number of tiny/small tiling plants are also in operation. Units are mainly located at Jalore, Sikar, Abu Road, Alwar, Jhnjhunu, Jaipur, Banswara, Shahpura, Ajmer, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Badnor, Devgarh, Raipur, Pali, Jodhpur etc. Commercial expolitation of granite in India is confined largely to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu, Orrisa, M.P., Bihar and Gujrat. India is second largest exporter of granite blocks and finished slabs and tiles. Rajasthan holds a prominent place with 432 Mining leases (2001-02). The production of granite in State which was 900 tonnes in 1986 increased to, 52776 tonnes in 2001-02. The revenue from granite has also increased considerably from Rs. 73,000 in 1986-87 to Rs. 134.11 lacks in 2001-02.

Granite Mines in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is richly endowed with large reserves of different varieties of granite spread over in 23 districts of the state. More than 200 localities of granite have been identified so far. The important districtwise locations are given below . Jalore: Nun, Kalkaji, Raniwara, Khambi, Saphara, Bibalsar, Bruti Kawala, Roja-Bhakar, Keshwana, Kola-Ki-Ghati, Kala-Ghati, Taskhana, Dungari Leta-Dhawala, Kota-Kasta, Tavab, Maylawas, Nabi-Bhetala etc. Sirohi: Abu,Veerwada-Arasanaji, Mer-Mundwara, Koteshwar, Sanpur-Siyankara, Idarla, Padru Khera, Meerpur, Amlari, Wan, Jeerawal, Dantaria, Sheoganj, Anapura, Jhar, Sivera etc. Bhilwara: Gyangarh-Thana-Phakoliya, Katar, Bor-Ka-Bariya, Janarda, Dhaneri, Naya Talab, Sabadara, Nareli, Charon-Ka-Bariya, Karera, Dhani-Somani, Dhikola, Badnor, Bheru Khera, Kidimal, Udai Ram Ji Ka Guda, Rampuria, Shivpura, etc. Pali: Bar-Sendara (Jhala-Ki-Chowki), Chittar, Manihari-Bala, Paldi, Sumerpur, Erinpura, Nana-Beda, Sarthur, Rani, Nadol-Narlai-Vinpura, Kot-Samariya, Kharda-Kerala, Dharamdhari, Jawaria, Netra, Jhakhora, Khidara, Kothar, Dani-Dantiwara etc. Barmer: Ludrara, Rakhi, Mokalsar, Viratara, Dhok, Bachbhar, Piplaun, Dhori Manna etc. Jhunjhunu: Lal-Pahari (Jhunjhunu), Rizani-Rasoda-Nand, Bakara, Makhar, Kerpura, Hukampura-Bamlwas, Gudha Gorji, Dosi, Khetri, Bagora, Dausi, etc. Tonk: Kadila, Ganwar, Rajpura, Hatgi, Bagri, Rupawali, Dewal, Phulmaliya, Hasimpur etc. Alwar: Harsora, Naroli, Davson, Khatoti, Modi-Malwash, Haripur, Gadh Bashi, Dadikar, Tarwala, Kankara etc. Ajmer: Sodpur, Gopalpura, Bhinai,Ramaliya, Kishangarh, Harmada, Patan, Modi-Samada, Gadwari, Tarwale-Kankara, Khanpura, Daulatpura, Buharu, Bargaon, Kanpura, Jiwana, Pilua, Piplod, Rupnagar, Pisangan, Vijay Nagar, Ramgarh, Bhimpura, Sewaria, Gelpur. Banswara: Mungthali, Sageta, Thikria, Ganoda, Pipalkhunt, Jhupel. Jaipur: Dudu (Mal Ki Dhani), Sakhun-Ladera, Hatupura-Bigolav, Mal Ki Dhani, Kila-Danteri, Mehagi (Ramgarh), Bashi (Dagota), Balohi (Kotputli). Jodhpur: Jasai, Bisala, Taralana, Nangris, Jodha Mali, Ransigaon, Khaniyana, Ramaniyana, Madlia, Pipar, Khejarala, Siyara, Chokri Khurd, Chokri Kalai, Padasla Kalan. Swai Madhopur: Baunli, Baragaon, Sarwar, Khajana, Dungar, Nagal, Pahar, Karwaripal. Sikar: Ajeetgarh, Mundaru, Jitala, Jetpur, Dabala, Bagora. Udaipur: Gingala, Unthala, Udai Sagar, Dakan-Kotra, Jaisamand, Salumber, Jhalara, Saira, Padrada, Kagwas, Moanda, Modi-Bathera, Kanor. Rajsamand:Lasani, Sanora-Ka-Bariya, Isharmand, Malkot, Kakroda, Kalalon Ki Anti, Bachhariya, Kania Kheda. Chittorgarh: Gangrar, Soniana, Khuntia, Ganeshpura, Nimbahera, Chhoti Sadri. Dungerpur: Ramgarh, Punawali-Bokarsal.

See Granite Policy in Rajasthan