WHITE GOLD: THE MARBLE MINES OF RAJASTHAN

See how the stone that built the Taj Mahal is extracted from the Earth.

The Location

Rajasthan is home to the world’s largest and finest marble deposits, with Makrana being the most famous

Precision Over Power

Modern mining avoids uncontrolled blasting. The focus is on precision using Diamond Wire Saws for clean, crack-free cuts.

The Gentle Pushr

To separate the enormous block from the rock face, gentle Hydraulic Cushions are inflated, carefully toppling the stone.

Lifting the Treasure

Heavy-duty cranes lift the 20-30 tonne blocks for transport to processing units in Kishangarh, the 'Marble City.'

The Challenge

The biggest environmental issue is marble slurry waste. Innovation is key to recycling this dust into new building materials.