The export of black granite from Chamarajanagar has dipped by around 10-15%, according to Minister for Mines and Geology S.S. Mallikarjun.

Replying to a question from K. Shivakumar in the Legislative Council recently, Mr. Mallikarjun said there was a dip in the demand for granite in countries like China, Italy, Taiwan and more since the last five years due to COVID-19 and later due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

While 58,354 tonnes of black granite or black ornamental stone were exported in 2021-22, the quantity went up to 75,225 tonnes in 2022-23. Subsequently, the figure was 45,903 tonnes for 2023-24, 60,836 tonnes for 2024-25 and 52,885 tonnes (till February 2026) for 2025-26.

The State government was losing about ₹2 to ₹3 crore in royalty every year owing to the decline in granite exports, he said.

Though no licenses had been granted for the mining of major minerals in Chamarajanagar district, the government had granted about 183 leases/licenses for minor minerals like black granite, building stone, and sand on an area of 455 acres.

Additionally, based on the orders of the Supreme Court and High Court, 75 work permits for black granite had been issued across 211.17 acres.

During the last three years, a total of 32 cases of illegal mining of minor minerals had been identified, out of which six cases had been registered and a penalty amounting to ₹49.69 lakh had been collected under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 and Karnataka Minor Minerals Concession Rules 1994.