Karnataka set to become largest granite exporter

With Karnataka opening up new areas for quarrying Jet Black granite , it is set to overtake Andhra Pradesh as the largest granite exporter this financial year.

Jet Black granite, which has high demand in the USA, Europe and Chinese markets, is used as flooring material and for landscaping and as ornamental stones. The Kollegal region in Karnataka has the largest deposits of Jet Black granite (1.10 million tonnes) in India spread over Chamarajanagar, Mysore and Mandya districts.

Prior to 1992, Karnataka was the largest granite exporter, accounting for more than 50 per cent. However, quarrying was stopped in 1993-94 in the Kollegal region due to forest brigand Veerappan's activities. He was extorting money from the quarry owners apart from abetting illegal quarrying.

This had prompted the government to stop quarrying in the region.

After Veerappan's death in 2004, Karnataka reopened quarrying in the Kollegal region. Now, 28 quarrying leases have been awarded to different companies in the region. "The deputy commissioners of all the three districts have been asked to issue the no objection certificates to the quarrying firms at the earliest to commence operations in Kollegal region. We expect Karnataka to regain the top spot in granite exports this fiscal," state mines and geology officials said.

Prior to the ban in the Kollegal region, 40 companies were engaged in granite quarrying. "Some of the leases have been renewed. We expect more players in the coming months as applications for leases are still being processed," the officials added.

Granite exports from India last fiscal were worth Rs 3,018 crore. While Andhra Pradesh accounted for 35 per cent of exports, Tamil Nadu' share was 33 per cent and Karnataka's 32 per cent.

Jet Black granite deposits are not found in Andhra Pradesh which has the Galaxy variety.