Dolomite occurrences are widespread in the country. As per UNFC system, as on 1.4.2013 total reserves/resources of dolomite are placed at 8,085 million tonnes, out of which 784 million tonnes are placed under reserves category and the balance 7,301 million tonnes under remaining resources category. Gradewise, BF/sintering grade accounts for 24% resources followed by SMS (15%), refractory (9%), BF & SMS(OH) mixed (5%), and glass (3%). Others, unclassified, not-known and BF, SMS & refractory mixed grades together account for the remaining 44% resources. Major share of about 89% resources were distributed in eight states: namely, Madhya Pradesh (28%), Andhra Pradesh (13%), Chhattisgarh (11%), Odisha (10%) Karnataka (8%), Gujarat &Rajasthan (7% each), and Maharashtra (5%).
The total reserves/resources of limestone of all categories and grades as per NMI database based on UNFC system as on 1.4.2015 has been estimated at 2,03,224 million tonnes, of which 16,336 million tonnes (8%) are placed under Reserves category and 1,86,889 million tonnes (92%) are under Remaining Resources category.
Karnataka is the leading State having 27% of the total resources followed by Andhra Pradesh & Rajasthan (12% each), Gujarat (10%), Meghalaya (9%), Telangana (8%) and Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh (5% each). The remaining 12% is shared by other states. Grade-wise, Cement grade (Portland) has leading share of about 70% followed by Unclassified grades (12%) and BF grade (7%). The remaining 11% is shared by various other grades.
Although India has vast reserve of limestone, the production is not enough to meet the industry demand for which the mineral has to be imported.
Top trading partners (import of “Limestone flux; limestone and other calcareous stone, of a kind used for the manufacture of lime or cement.”) of India in 2019:
United Arab Emirates with a share of 73% (350 million US$)
Oman with a share of 11.1% (53 million US$)
Malaysia with a share of 7.33% (34 million US$)
Vietnam with a share of 5.66% (26 million US$)