Where Is Granite Mined In The World

The majority of the world s granite countertops are quarried in brazil italy india and china.

Where is granite mined in the world. Mount airy nicknamed the granite city is home to the largest open face granite quarry in the world. However marble also comes from spain. The majority of the marble originates out of italy as does onyx. Granite is an igneous rock that is made up of primarily quartz and feldspar.

China is by far the largest producer of granite. Brazil is responsible for producing one of the world s most unique granites van gogh also known as blue fire which has an incredible blue color. Where does granite come from. Mined as either crushed or dimension stone in open pit mines crushed granite makes up about 16 of the total crushed stone produced in the united states.

Some of the most prolific quarries in the world are in far flung locations such as italy and brazil. It is the size of 66 football fields and is easily viewed by nasa from space satellites. Chunks of granite are extracted from deposits by cutting or blasting procedures. This raw granite is extracted in blocks that are later shaped into granite slabs.

State that operates several quarries is oregon. There is little difference between chinese granite and granite mined anywhere else in the world. The world s largest granite quarry is found in mount airy north carolina u s a. It is formed by the cooling and solidification of magma molten rock that is underground.

Granite is mined worldwide but the most exotic colours are obtained from granite deposits in brazil india china finland south africa and north america. Granite mining is a capital and labour intensive process. Granite slabs are obtained from special sites that are known as quarries. Granite and related marble industries are considered one of the oldest industries in the world existing as far back as ancient egypt.

Powerful machinery and explosives are used to mine granite out of the earth. This rock contains the natural stone that makes up countertops and other surfaces. There are larger pit quarries throughout the world but no larger open face quarries. Each region has it s own specific characteristics.

China has a unique supply of brown granite that is popular among homeowners. Brazil supplies the majority of the granite slabs. Traditionally italy usa and canada are very popular sources of granite but china india and several locations in africa and south america are big suppliers of granite to the rest of the world. The first step of making a granite slab is to mine the raw granite materials out of the earth.