Global demand for Warangal’s blue Safire granite

WARANGAL: The exports of the famous blue Safire granite available in this part of the world have picked up following a surge in the global demand for the rare variety.

Every year, the district exports thousands of cubic metres of granite abroad.

The Warangal granite has found favour with the Chinese authorities taking up a large number of constructions for the 2008 Olympics.

As a result, the exports have caught on. It is estimated that the Chinese alone are likely to source around 500 cubic metres of blue Safire granite.

The other countries which have lined up to import the granite are the US, Italy, Canada, Taiwan, Germany and the Gulf.

Blue Safire granite is found only in Warangal district in the country.

The fillip for its exports came five years ago, when the White House officials in Washington made orders for around 500 cubic metres of granite for use in constructions at the White House.

This had attracted various importers to the granite, and orders had since been pouring in from across the globe.

In the year 2003-04, 10,917 metres of blue Safire granite was mined from the quarries in the district.

In the same period, the production of black granite touched 28,438 cubic metres. In the following years, the production of blue Safire was 15,732 cubic meters in 2004-05, 21,919 cubic metres in 2005-06 and 25,294 cubic metres in 2006-07.

In the India market, a metre granite fetches around Rs 20,000, and the cost is higher is in the international markets.

The Government has given licences to 65 quarries to mine for blue colour granite in the district. However, at present only 15 units are operational.

Ten units are located in Madikonda area. In respect of black granite, there are around 200 granite quarries in the district.

Half of the granite from the district exported to foreign markets. In the absence of sufficient number of polishing units to process raw material, the quarries are keen on exporting the raw material itself.

In view of the huge investment required there are few polishing units.

However, the Mining Department officials exude confidence that with the surge in demand, there are prospects of some polishing units coming up in the next few years.