Snapshot

Why Prakasam (Ongole) is iconic:
Ongole in Prakasam district is globally renowned as the home of Black Galaxy Granite, a signature Indian stone prized for its durability, mirror polish, and distinctive golden specks. This cluster forms the backbone of India’s natural stone exports, with a thriving ecosystem of quarries, gangsaw units, slab plants, and monuments manufacturing facilities.

Industrial edge:

• One of the world’s largest sources of premium granite, with export-ready infrastructure.
  
• Over 200+ quarries and 300+ processing units in and around Ongole supply polished slabs, tiles, monuments, and cut-to-size products.
  
• Dominant player in Middle East, US, and European markets for large-scale construction and memorial projects.
  

Scale: Estimated granite exports from Andhra Pradesh exceed 3 million cubic meters annually, with Ongole as a critical contributor.

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Granite Slabs & Tiles	Polished, flamed, honed, leather, and bush-hammered finishes
Monuments & Memorials	Tombstones, statues, gravestones, and custom monuments
Cut-to-Size Products	Countertops, kitchen tops, vanity tops, staircases
Blocks	Rough blocks (premium and commercial grades)
Outdoor Paving & Cladding	Cobblestones, kerbstones, wall panels
Specialty Stones	Black Galaxy, Absolute Black, Tan Brown, Steel Grey

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Global Brand Recognition	Black Galaxy Granite from Ongole is a GI-tagged material, known worldwide
Extensive Quarry Base	200+ licensed quarries, offering steady supply for mega projects
Skilled Workforce	Generations of stone artisans with expertise in hand-finishing
Advanced Processing	CNC, waterjet, gangsaw, and resin line-equipped plants
Export Ecosystem	Dedicated ICDs and granite yards for faster shipping
Government Support	Andhra Pradesh’s Granite Policy and mining-friendly reforms

Materials & Sustainability

Stone Varieties:

• Black Galaxy (GI-tagged)
  
• Absolute Black
  
• Tan Brown
  
• Steel Grey
  
• Viscont White
  

Sustainability Edge:

• Slurry recycling systems at processing units
  
• Adoption of resin lines to reduce wastage
  
• Solar-powered polishing units emerging in newer plants
  
• Andhra Pradesh Mining Department mandates scientific quarrying and environmental compliance
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Industrial Zones: Chimakurthy (Black Galaxy mining hub), Ongole Granite Industrial Area
  
• Institutions: National Institute of Design (Andhra Campus) for stone design innovations, Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC)
  
• Connectivity:
  
  • ICD Ongole for containerized shipments
    
  • Road links to Chennai and Krishnapatnam ports (~300 km)
    
  • Rail freight facilities for block exports
    

Compliance & Certifications

• GI Tag for Black Galaxy Granite
  
• CE marking for dimensional stone exports to EU
  
• ASTM C615 (Standard Specification for Granite Dimension Stone)
  
• ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 certified plants
  
• Sedex and ethical sourcing audits for global buyers
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Polished Slabs	1–2 weeks	4–6 weeks	300–500 sqm per SKU
Cut-to-Size Countertops	2 weeks	6–8 weeks	50–100 pcs per design
Rough Blocks	1 week	Ongoing	By container (20–25 tons)
Monuments	2–3 weeks	8–10 weeks	20–50 sets per container

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: GI logo for Black Galaxy, laser-etched lot numbers, barcoded slab IDs
  
• Packaging:
  
  • Wooden crating with foam separators for slabs
    
  • Steel strapping and seaworthy crates for monuments
    
  • Containerized block exports with heavy-duty dunnage
    

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Visual inspection for fissures, color consistency, and natural patterning
  
• Resin and reinforcement checks for slab stability
  
• Dimensional tolerance inspection via laser measurement
  
• Container-wise random sampling and drop test for packed slabs
  
• International packaging QC (ISTA standards)
  

Price Drivers

• Quarry lease pricing and royalty fees
  
• Resin line technology, finishing (mirror polish, leather finish)
  
• Freight and block-to-slab processing charges
  
• Demand for premium grades vs. commercial variants
  
• Port proximity (Chennai/Krishnapatnam) and container availability
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Black Galaxy Granite holds GI status, guaranteeing authenticity
  
• Andhra Pradesh ranks #1 in granite reserves in India
  
• Ongole granite used in high-end global projects: airports, luxury hotels, metro stations
  
• Cluster has dedicated export associations ensuring compliance and ethical sourcing