How Granite is Extracted from the Earth

Granite is an extremely durable and hard type of igneous rock that is formed by the cooling process of magma. Because it’s such a durable material it’s most commonly used for countertops, flooring and other practical elements.

The Formation

Molten rock is formed by natural radioactive elements deep underground, which breaks down and then decays. Large amounts of heat are created from the reaction of the decaying elements causing the rocks around it to melt. As the molten rocks get pushed up towards the surface from built-up pressure or moving plates, it begins to cool and create igneous rocks such as granite.

Extracting the Rock

Granite is usually formed into slabs or large deposits. There are different methods used by mining companies to cut and extract the deposits from the ground which are called quarries. When the granite is extracted, the mining team uses large equipment such as extractors and cranes to slowly dig around the deposits. Once the granite has broken free, they are transferred onto heavy load trucks, or depending on the mining company, they may be processed on-site. The granite slabs are polished to remove any dirt or unevenness and sent to fabricators. The fabricators will then cut the slabs into various sizes for home and commercial use.

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