Telangana State Natural Stone Mining Scenario:
Telangana State, carved out of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, also had a notable presence in the natural stone mining sector.
While it is not as prominent in natural stone mining as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana possess significant reserves of various unique types of natural stones.
Granite Mining: Telangana has granite deposits, and granite mining is one of the primary activities in the state's mining sector. Granite from Telangana is used for construction, monuments, countertops, and other applications. The state has several granite quarries and processing units in hundreds.
The most popular in the world granite stone market are Tan Brown, Saphire Brown from Karimnagar are leading for more than two decades. Black granite varieties from Warangal and Khammam are among the top list in the international natural stone market. Other range of natural stone varieties are available in abundant reserves across the state.
Other Natural Stones: Besides granite, Telangana also has deposits of other natural stones such as limestone, sandstone, and marble. While these may not be as extensively mined as granite, they still contribute to the state's mining industry.
Regulatory Framework: Similar to Andhra Pradesh, mining activities in Telangana are regulated by state and central government authorities. Compliance with environmental regulations, safety standards, and labor laws for mining operations in the state are proactive with stakeholders and business friendly compared to its neighbouring states.
Employment and Economic Impact: Natural stone mining in Telangana provides employment opportunities to local rural unskilled and unemployed communities occupied in activities related to rural agriculture contributing to their economic upliftment, the state's perennial mining revenues helps its strong economy.
It generates considerable revenues through fees/royalties, allied sales taxes, and export revenue earnings at par with major minerals abundantly available in the state.
Export Market: Telangana's natural stones, particularly granite are exported to international markets like China, Taiwan, Japan, UAE, US and European countries. Major, Minor and Small Export-oriented processing units in the state cater to the demand for finished stone products.
Challenges and Initiatives: Telangana, like other states with mining activities, faces challenges such as environmental degradation, land acquisition issues, and community concerns. Sustainable mining practices and stakeholder engagement are important for addressing these challenges. The government may have introduced initiatives to promote responsible mining, environmental conservation, and community development in mining areas.
Market Dynamics: The demand for natural stones, including granite, is influenced by factors such as construction activity, infrastructure development, and global market trends. Telangana's mining sector may respond to changes in market dynamics and technological advancements.
