Dilip Patel<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad, 11 June 2026<\/p>\n
Dolomite is a natural stone rich in calcium and magnesium, which is mined in the form of powder or chips and is used in ceramics, steel, glass and agriculture sectors.<\/p>\n
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral, composed primarily of calcium magnesium carbonate.
\nCalcium, Magnesium, Carbon.<\/p>\n
use of dolomite
\nIt is used in applying lime in agriculture. In ceramic industry, morbi tiles and sanitary ware industry. In steel industry as flux in steel making furnaces. To strengthen glass in the glass industry. To improve acidic soil in farming. For making high-temperature bricks in refractory industry. As filler in paint, plastic and rubber, detergent powder factory, pharmaceutical, chemical industry, metallurgy, cement and other fields. Used in architectural decoration, sculpture, handicrafts.<\/p>\n
Chhota Udaipur
\nThe most opposition to dolomite mines in Gujarat has been seen mainly in Chhota Udaipur district. Over the past few years, people from tribal villages, miners and local industrialists have protested against the closure of dolomite mines and the issuance of new permits.<\/p>\n
The closure of around 69 dolomite mines in the Chhota Udepur area by 2025 reportedly impacts thousands of workers and local dolomite powder units.<\/p>\n
Protest
\nThe following issues are commonly raised regarding dolomite mines in Chhota Udepur and surrounding areas:<\/p>\n
Impact on forests and tribal lands
\ndust and air pollution
\nimpact on groundwater
\nEnvironmental issues vs employment
\nMining Permit and Environmental Clearance Process<\/p>\n
History of Chhota Udepur
\n1960\u20131980: Beginning of the mining industry
\nAfter the formation of Gujarat state, mineral surveys started in the tribal areas of eastern Gujarat.
\nDolomite deposits were identified in the Chhota Udepur\u2013Kadipani\u2013Tejgarh area.
\nPrivate leases were granted and small open-cast mining began. Dolomite started being supplied to Morbi, Vadodara and steel industries.
\n1980\u20132000: rapid growth
\nThe demand for dolomite increased with the development of Morbi ceramic industry.
\nDolomite mines spread around the Kadipani fluorspar belt.
\nMining became the main employment for tribal labourers.
\n2000\u20132013
\nEnvironmental clearance became necessary. Many small mine operators got caught up in the legal process.
\n2013\u20132024
\nAfter the formation of Chhota Udaipur district, mining emerged as the largest private industry activity in the district.
\nThe district became a hub of dolomite, fluorite, granite and sand mining.<\/p>\n
Main villages of dolomite mines
\nDolomite corridor of Kadripani, Ambadungar, Ambala, Antroi-Antroli, Chhatwara, Chiliawant, Koliyathar, Bhipur, Khasra, Lehwant, Nakamli, Padaliya, Padarwant, Raisinghpur, Surkheda, Dadigam, Jer, Hansot, Diwant, Dhamodi, Quant talukas.
\nMineral Belt \u2013 Tejgarh \u2013 Ambala \u2013 Antroi \u2013 Kadripani \u2013 Quant Corridor.<\/p>\n
lease area
\nMost of the leases of dolomite mines in Chhota Udaipur district:
\nThere are mines ranging from 2 hectares to 50 hectares. The dolomite lease area probably ranges between 2,000\u20134,000 hectares.<\/p>\n
number of mines
\nChhota Udaipur is surrounded by forests and rocks, hence farming cannot be done. Nature has provided mines of white stone. There are stones considered to be white gold here. Due to the closure of 69 dolomite mines here, 30 thousand workers have become unemployed. There are 107 factories producing dolomite stone powder. Due to the National Green Tribunal, the applications made by the Department of Mines and Minerals for environmental clearance of dolomite stone lease have been cancelled, hence the mines are closed. There are reserves of 72 crore tonnes of dolomite in the ground here.<\/p>\n
employment
\nThe main employment generating activity is business. People of 70 villages are getting employment from this sector. About 20 to 25 thousand workers are likely to lose their jobs and businesses. Dolomite is the only source of employment in an area of \u200b\u200b100 kilometers. There are total 30 thousand jobs.<\/p>\n
Several mines closed in 2025\u20132026 due to environmental clearance and lease issues.<\/p>\n
The local industry association says that about 69 dolomite mines and more than 100 powder units were affected. It was claimed that the jobs of around 30,000 workers were affected.<\/p>\n
protest movement
\nRozgar Bachao Andolan (2024\u20132025) Dolomite Association and local tribal workers presented their views.
\nThere have been protests in many villages against mining and mineral surveys over issues of Gram Sabha powers, PESA law and forest rights.
\nIn 2025, tribals protested against GMDC’s rare mineral survey in several villages of Kwant taluka.
\nDuring 2025, 69 dolomite mines were closed. Truck activity reduced<\/p>\n
Environment related problems
\nBig white holes in hills, open pits, erosion of hills, hilly terrain, bench cutting patterns, changes in hill slopes, new roads from mines to crushers, deforestation of forests and bushes, gray or brown dumps around mines, possibility of erosion due to rain, dust pollution, cracks in houses due to blasting, change in rain water flow, impact on forest area, bushland area, groundwater, impact on land use, Farming, forests, pastures, grazing, small water resources of rivers, crushing plants have affected the environment.<\/p>\n
Chhota Udaipur district has more than 75,000 hectares of forest area and mining activities mostly take place in tribal and hilly areas.<\/p>\n
mouth<\/p>\n
**Directly Affected Villages**
\nVillages such as Ambala, Antroi, Chhatwada, Chiliyavant, Padliya, Padarvant, Surkheda, and Raisinhpur\u2014with a combined population of 15,000\u2014have been affected. Land use estimates:<\/p>\n
More than 32 mines have been operating in the Chhota Udepur dolomite belt for decades. In 2025, it was reported that 69 mines were affected due to an economic slowdown.<\/p>\n
**Mining Area**
\nDirect mining area: 800\u20131,500 hectares
\nWaste dump area: 200\u2013500 hectares
\nHaul roads and access roads: 100\u2013300 hectares<\/p>\n
Stockyard\/crushing zone: 100\u2013250 hectares
\nTotal affected area: 1,200\u20132,500 hectares<\/p>\n
**Potential Impact**
\nA population of 40,000 across 15 villages and 1,200\u20132,500 hectares of industrial land have been affected by mining.
\nOf this population, 20,000 people were employed in the sector.<\/p>\n
**Antroi Village**
\nThe total area of \u200b\u200bAntroi village was 709.54 hectares, comprising 125 hectares of forest land and 90 hectares of non-agricultural land.
\nWhile the total forest area in Chhota Udepur is 75,704 hectares, precise data regarding the total forest acreage utilized for dolomite mines is not available in public sources.<\/p>\n
**Industrial Zone**
\nAreas affected include powder processing units, stockyards, truck parking facilities, land converted for industrial use, and rural agricultural lands.<\/p>\n
There are approximately 32 dolomite mines in Chhota Udepur, reportedly operating across various villages for the past 60\u201365 years. It is a major hub for dolomite processing and trading, hosting numerous mineral companies and dolomite processing units. These companies are:<\/p>\n
Bhagwati, Ganga, Pahihar, Shiv Shakti, and Daivik Minerals.<\/p>\n
Consumption in Morbi
\nHow much dolomite is used in Morbi, Gujarat?<\/p>\n
The 800 factories in Morbi’s ceramic industry utilize various raw materials\u2014such as dolomite, feldspar, quartz, ball clay, and china clay\u2014to produce between 1 and 1.6 billion square feet of tiles; however, they do not report dolomite consumption figures separately.
\nDolomite serves as an auxiliary flux in tile bodies and glazes, though it is not a primary raw material. Morbi consumes approximately 35\u201350 million tonnes of ceramic raw materials annually. With dolomite estimated to account for an average of 1%\u20133% of this total, its usage likely ranges from 0.5 to 1 million tonnes.<\/p>\n
Chhota Udepur is the largest source of dolomite raw material for the Morbi industry. Every year, approximately 20,000 truckloads of material are transported from Chhota Udepur to Morbi; on some days, as many as 100 trucks are loaded.<\/p>\n
Dolomite Mining
\nGujarat holds dolomite mineral reserves amounting to 7,200 lakh tonnes.<\/p>\n
Between 2005 and 2015, the monthly production of dolomite in Gujarat typically ranged from 10,000 to 40,000 tonnes. In April 2014, monthly production reached approximately 1.14 lakh tonnes, marking the highest level recorded up to that time. Due to the economic slowdown and mine closures, production levels were: 1\u20132 lakh tonnes (1998\u20132001), 1.5\u20133 lakh tonnes (2005\u20132010), 3\u20136 lakh tonnes (2010\u20132015), 4\u20138 lakh tonnes (2015\u20132020), 5\u201310 lakh tonnes (2020\u20132024), and 5\u201310 lakh tonnes (2025\u20132026).<\/p>\n
Dolomite consumption in Gujarat (lakh tonnes\/year)
\nMorbi Ceramics: 5\u201310
\nOther Ceramics\/Glass: 1\u20132
\nSteel\/Foundry: 1\u20133
\nAgriculture and others: 0.5\u20131
\nTotal (Gujarat): 7.5\u201316 lakh tonnes\/year<\/p>\n
Chhota Udepur Market
\nInitially, 12 factories were approved for dolomite grinding. In 2003\u20132004, production stood at 3,14,105 metric tonnes. This involved a labour cost of \u20b9600 crore and a stone cost of \u20b920 crore; it is a labour-intensive industry.
\nThe cost of stone was \u20b9370 per tonne, which rose to \u20b9450 per tonne a year ago.
\n300 trucks are in operation.
\nDaily production is 6,000 tonnes. The government used to receive a daily royalty of \u20b95 lakh and GST revenue of \u20b94.50 lakh. The monthly electricity bill amounted to \u20b93 crore. Each factory involved an investment of \u20b92 crore.
\nDolomite powder is mixed with a binder and pressed into spherical shapes, making it easier to transport and use.
\nDolomite powder is traded across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Price and Market (2025\u201326; Rupees per tonne)
\nThe estimated average price of dolomite in India ranges from \u20b91,800 to \u20b93,500 per tonne. Raw dolomite (ex-mine): \u20b9500 \u2013 \u20b91,500
\nDolomite chips: \u20b91,100 \u2013 \u20b91,500
\n100\u2013200 mesh dolomite powder: \u20b91,000 \u2013 \u20b91,300
\n250\u2013400 mesh dolomite powder: \u20b91,400 \u2013 \u20b92,000
\nHigh-purity (99%+) dolomite powder: \u20b91,500 \u2013 \u20b93,000
\nCalcined dolomite: \u20b91,000 \u2013 \u20b95,000 per tonne (depending on quality)<\/p>\n
Price of 1 million tonnes of dolomite<\/p>\n
Assuming an average price of \u20b92,000 per tonne, the value of 1 million tonnes would be \u20b9200 crore.<\/p>\n
Mine prices in Chhota Udepur (\u20b9\/tonne)
\n2010: 250\u2013350
\n2015: 550\u2013700
\n2020: 650\u2013950
\n2024: 1,100\u20131,500
\n2026: 850\u20131,250<\/p>\n
Prices in Morbi (\u20b9\/tonne)
\n2010: 600\u2013900
\n2015: 1,000\u20131,500
\n2020: 1,400\u20132,200
\n2024: 1,800\u20133,500
\n2026: 1,700\u20133,000<\/p>\n
Illegal mining in Chhota Udepur
\nIllegal mining of dolomite stone takes place in several locations. Illegal mineral extraction took place at dolomite stone mines in Kanavant and Dari villages. In February 2025, material worth \u20b92 crore was seized, along with 20 vehicles. Legal proceedings against dolomite mines are rare. (Google translation from Gujarati; see report on this website.)<\/p>\n
https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/why-were-the-roads-not-built-the-guj-govt-has-rendered-30-thousand-people-unemployed\/<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dilip Patel Ahmedabad, 11 June 2026 Dolomite is a natural stone rich in calcium and magnesium, which is mined in the form of powder or chips and is used in ceramics, steel, glass and agriculture sectors. Dolomite is a carbonate mineral, composed primarily of calcium magnesium carbonate. Calcium, Magnesium, Carbon. use of dolomite It is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[4771,54,49,6262],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-e4k","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54084"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54084"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54084\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54085,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54084\/revisions\/54085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54084"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54084"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}