Indian Green Marble Quarries
Situated in the mineral-rich Aravali mountain range, the green marble deposits are concentrated in the Udaipur and Dungarpur districts of Rajasthan. Discovered in the late 70s and early 80s, these extensive deposits span many villages, with Kesariyajee in Udaipur and adjacent areas of Dungarpur being prominent. Approximately 300 quarry leases, granted by the government for a 20-year term, contribute to the region's green marble production.
Extraction
Modern extraction methods employ advanced machinery such as chain saws, wire saws, and boring machines, ensuring efficient and mechanized quarrying. Heavy earth-moving machinery further aids in handling marble blocks, leading to a substantial increase in green marble production capacity. In 2011, the estimated production reached 150,000 metric tons, featuring large-sized blocks that easily translate into sizable slabs.
Varieties of Green Marble
The green marble from this region exhibits various tones, with tonality nuances differing across locations. It broadly falls into two categories: dark plain green with a flower structure and green with white veins. The shades range from light to dark, with names like Forest Green, Jade Green, Ocean Green, and Oasis Green distinguishing different varieties.
Processing Facilities
India hosts modern processing facilities equipped with cutting-edge machinery for crafting marble into slabs, tiles, and monuments. The darker green marble is often commercialized as tiles due to its tendency to develop cracks. The processing machinery includes gang saws, automatic line polishers, bridge cutting machines, and fully automated tiling plants. Udaipur-based companies primarily work with green marble from South Rajasthan, while Jaipur-based companies specialize in Rain Forest Green from quarries in Bidaser.
Finishes
Common finishes for green marble include polished, honed, and the increasingly popular leather finish.
Markets and Applications
Indian green marble enjoys a global market, with exports reaching over 75 countries, predominantly in the form of finished products like tiles and slabs. Shipped from seaports like Mundra and Kandla, the marble reaches Europe in about 20 days, America in 35 days, and the Far East in 8-15 days. Despite fluctuations in demand and price, Indian green marble remains a sought-after material for diverse applications, from palaces and luxury showrooms to corporate offices, hotels, and mosques. Notably, its significance has expanded to the domestic market over the past decade, solidifying its place as a timeless and indispensable material.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Kalit Bhandari, Hitesh Patel, Narpat Singh Shekhawat, Prabhat Jain, Ishwnder Singh, Jagdish Prasad Khetan, and Narendra Sharma for their valuable insights.
