About the Marble Waste Utilization in Pakistan.

1. Marble Waste Utilization-Pakistan
Hafizullah Khan
hafeez.smeda.k@gmail.com

2. Important
An effort to explore and invite expert opinion. The user of this
document must check the validity and applicability of this
information. The author is/will not be responsible for any act on
the basis of this document. The readers are requested to email
their suggestions at the email ID of author.

3. Current Scenario
 An indication of Marble and Granite in AJK, G.B., and Sind, but the available data and
mining activities are limited to the Province of Balochistan and KP.
 Balochistan though contributes less in quantity, but still important due to its export
quality Onyx (Shades of Green, Red, and White), and Marble (Black and Gold, Boticina,
Burma teak, Chocolate, Tippi, Travera, and Verona). (Source: Industry Survey)
 The KP dominates the production of Marble (Ziarat White, Nowshehra Pink, Sunny,
and Jet Black), and Granite (Mostly Black). (Source: Industry Survey)
 The reputed marble from Sind is that of the Indus Gold, and some shades of Granite.
(Source: Industry Survey)
 160 Million Tons of Marble Reserves estimated (158 Million Tons in KP, and 2 Million
Tons in Balochistan). (Source: SMEDA, Mineral Statistics of Pakistan, Industry
Survey)
 The estimated reserves of Granite are 5,676 Million Tons (Out of which 4,140 Million
Tons are estimated in Northern Areas). (Source: SMEDA, Mineral Statistics of Pakistan
Industry Survey)

4. Current Scenario
This point Onwards the word Marble and Granite is used for simplicity.
The production of Marble and Granite during the year 2011-12 was 1.07
Million Tons (Pakistan’s Statistical Year Book) .
Referring to the general wastage in mining and processing of around 70%
(SMEDA, and Industry Survey), the estimated wastage is 0.75 Million Tons
This wastage means the loss of over Rs. 7.5 Billion

5. Marble Processing Practices in
Pakistan

6. Balochistan and Sind
Squared Blocks
Block Squaring
Solid Waste

7. Balochistan, KP, Punjab, and Sind
Slabs
Slab Sawing (Gang-Saw)
Strips
Solid Waste

8. Vertical Cutting/HV Cutting)
Balochistan/Sind:
Strips/Thick Tiles (Gutka- 14 Soot Thick)
Solid Waste
Balochistan, KP, and Sind
KP:
Strips/Thick Tiles (Gutka- 09 Soot Thick)

9. Section Cutting)
Strips/Thick Tiles (4 Soot, 1cm, 1.2 cm
Thick)
Solid Waste
Balochistan, KP, Punjab, and Sind

10. Squared Blocks
Products of a Complete Processing Units
Irregular Shaped Slabs Proper Slabs
Polished Strips Polished and Unpolished Tiles Unpolished Strips/Tiles of
Different Dimensions

11. Solid Waste of a Complete Processing Units

12. Marble Slurry Water
General Condition for All Processing Units
Marble Sludge

13. Solid Waste from Blocks
The onyx waste is sold to the handicrafts manufacturers against a handsome amount whereas
that of the marble waste depends upon the hardness and color of the stone. The beige color
soft marble stones are sold to the section machine owners for production of small tiles.
Contrary to this, the Black and Gold, and Burmateak waste is thrown away by the blocks
processors. Recently, a factory at Marble City, Gadani of Balochistan has started collection and
crushing of this waste into cobbles as a replacement for river stone crush.
Solid Waste from Tiles
In case of Onyx the wastage during processing is purchased by the mosaic manufactures, and
the wastage is negligible. The real issue is that of the marble tiles waste. The way it is dealt with
differs from province to province. In Balochistan a major portion goes to the land fills of nearby
barren lands and a small quantity is collected free of charges by the local people using it in
housing foundations filling. In Karachi and Punjab, this mostly remained dumped on roadsides
in industrial or even residential areas. In KP, this scrape is sold to the people at Rs. 1,000 per ton
for house landfills purpose.
In the Marble City, Gadani of Balochistan, the newly established tiles processing units utilize
such waste for filling of the depressed portions of their factories and also use it for boundary
walls.
Marble Slurry Water
Throughout the country, the marble slurry is currently going unutilized to landfills, which not
only costs Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 9,000 per month to the processors against waste disposal but also
poses a serious environmental threat.
Marble Waste Utilization

14. Waste Utilization: Current Practices
Boundary Walls

15. Talya: Solid Waste From Block Squaring
Waste Utilization: Current Practices
Beige Color Marble into Tiles of (1’x1’) and (05’x1’)
Black and Gold and Dolomite into Crush

16. Processing Waste/Mine Handpicks
Waste Utilization: Current Practices
Onyx Handicrafts
Onyx into Handicrafts
Source: Suppliers of Onyx Products

17. Waste Utilization: Current Practices
Onyx and Marble Mosaics
 Talya Cutting into Tiles of 12” x 12”, and 6” x 12”
and then Tesserae
 Hand Pick Cutting Into Strips and then Tesserae
 Wasted Tiles Cutting Into Strips and Tesserae

18. Chips and Powder Processing
General Utilization- Current Practices
Marble/Onyx Chips
Marble and Onyx into Chips/Terrazo and Powder
Marble Powder
Source: Suppliers of Chips
and Powder

19. Processing Waste
Suggested Utilization of Larger Sized Waste
Pakistani Machine

20. Processing Waste
Currently Working Upon the Possibility of
Inlays*
* A picture downloaded from : http://www.monarchcrafts.com/

21. Vibro Press Machine
Suggested Utilization of Slurry/Sludge Waste
Source: UNIDO Document
Marble Slurry Bricks