GYPSUM

Indian Minerals
Yearbook 2015
(Part- III : Mineral Reviews)

54th Edition

GYPSUM
(ADVANCE RELEASE)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES

Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines,

NAGPUR – 440 001

PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471

PBX : (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648
E-MAIL : [email protected]
Website: www.ibm.gov.in

December, 2016

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 GYPSUM
GYPSUM

26 Gypsum

G ypsum (CaSO 4 .2H 2O) is a hydrated calcium

sulphate used widely in industry because
of its special property of losing three-fourth of
RESOURCES
As per UNFC system, the total resources of
mineral gypsum in India as on 1.4.2010 were
the combined water of crystallisation when estimated at 1,286 million tonnes of which
moderately heated (calcined) to about 130 0C. 39 million tonnes have been placed under
Besides, calcined gypsum when cooled, finely 'Reserves' and 1,247 million tonnes under
ground and made plastic with water can be spread 'Remaining Resources' category.
out, cast or moulded to any desired surface or Of the total resources, Fertilizer/Pottery
form. On drying, it sets into a hard rock-like form. grade accounts for about 82% and Cement/Paint
Selenite is a colourless, transparent, crystalline grade 12%. The Unclassified and Not-known
variety of gypsum, whereas alabaster is a fine- grades together account for 5% resources.
grained, massive variety, white or shaded in The remaining one percent of resources is
colour. Silky and fibrous variety of gypsum is shared by Surgical Plaster and Soil Reclamation
called satin spar. Anhydrite (CaSO 4) is a calcium grades. By States, Rajasthan alone accounts
sulphate mineral found associated with gypsum for 82% resources and Jammu & Kashmir 14%
resources. The remaining 4% resources are in
commonly as a massive or fibrous mineral.
Ta m i l N a d u , G u j a r a t , H i m a c h a l P r a d e s h ,
Gypsum that occurs in nature is called mineral Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh
gypsum. In addition to mineral gypsum, seawater and Madhya Pradesh (Table- 1).
and some chemical and fertilizer plants are sources
of by-product marine gypsum and by-product EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT
chemical gypsum, respectively. The latter is No exploration activities reported for gypsum
during 2014-15.
obtained as by-product phospho-gypsum or
fluoro-gypsum or boro-gypsum, depending upon
the source. Phosphoric acid plants are important
sources of by-product phospho-gypsum.

Marine gypsum is recovered from salt pans

during production of common salt in coastal
region, particularly in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The
recovery of by-product gypsum and marine
gypsum together is substantial and is comparable
with the production of mineral gypsum.

FGD Gypsum is a unique synthetic product

derived from flue gas desulphurization (FGD)
systems at electric power plants. Sulphur dioxide
emission control systems used by coal-fired
power plants remove sulphur from combustion
gases using 'scrubbers'. In addition to FGD
gypsum, synthetic gypsum includes materials
such as phospho-gypsum, titano-gypsum, fluoro-
gypsum and citro-gypsum.

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 Table – 1 : Reserves/Resources of Gypsum as on 1.4.2010
(By Grades/States)
(In '000 tonnes)

Reserves Remaining resources

Grade/State Total
Proved Probable Total Feasibility Pre-feasibility Measured Indicated Inferred Reconnaissance Total resources
STD111 (A) STD211 STD331 STD332 STD333 STD334 (B) (A+B)
STD121 STD122 STD221 STD222

All India : Total 22494 239 16363 39096 8502 73651 17659 8455 710853 428272 10 1247402 1286498

By Grades

Surgical Plaster 776 - - 776 - 1039 82 - - 3773 - 4894 5670

Fertilizer/Pottery 8097 81 276 8454 2196 9185 270 7680 703244 320454 - 1043029 1051483

Cement/Paint 9955 158 16087 26200 6120 63035 14677 532 2876 39366 10 126616 152816

Soil reclamation - - - - 185 392 2573 100 206 7939 - 11395 11395

Unclassified - - - - - - 56 78 2943 33548 - 36625 36625

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Not-known 3666 - - 3666 - - - 66 1585 23191 - 24842 28508
GYPSUM

By States

Andhra Pradesh - - - - - - - - - 404 - 404 404

Gujarat 9 5 24 38 - - - - - 15138 - 15138 15176

Himachal Pradesh - - - - - - 1365 - - 3081 - 4446 4446

Jammu & Kashmir 1664 153 442 2259 4784 9785 6570 7680 - 146694 - 175513 177772

Karnataka - - - - - - - - - 3784 - 3784 3784

Madhya Pradesh - - - - - - - - - 69 - 69 69

Rajasthan 20821 81 15834 36736 3405 63397 3105 750 710604 237550 - 1018811 1055547

Tamil Nadu - - 64 64 313 469 6584 25 249 19540 10 27190 27254

Uttarakhand - - - - - - 35 - - 2012 - 2047 2047

Figures rounded off

 GYPSUM

PRODUCTION, STOCKS AND was reported from 11 other mines, each producing
below 10 thousand tonnes annually. Almost the
PRICES entire production of gypsum was contributed by
Gypsum the mines under Public Sector and very nominal
quantity of production was reported by Private
The production of gypsum in 2014-15 at
Sector mines.
2.48 million tonnes decreased by 20% as compared
to that in the previous year. Rajasthan continued to be the leading
There were 31 reporting mines during 2014-15 producer, contributing about 99% of the total
output. The remaining 1% was contributed
as against 38 in the preceding year. Two principal
by Jammu & Kashmir. (Tables- 2 to 5).
producers together accounted for about 97% of
the total production of gypsum in 2014-15. Four The mine-head closing stock of gypsum for
mines producing above 2 lakh tonnes annually the year 2014-15 was 104 thousand tonnes as
contributed 70% of the total production, 2 mines against 88 thousand tonnes in the previous
producing between one & two lakh tonnes year (Table- 6).
contributed 9% of the total production, 2 mines
The average daily labour employed in gypsum
producing between 50 thousand to 1 lakh tonnes
mines during 2014-15 was 337 as against 393 in
contributed 7% of the total production and 12
the previous year.
mines producing between 10 thousand to
50 thousand tonnes accounted for 13% of the Domestic prices of gypsum are furnished in
total production. Nominal production of gypsum the General Review on 'Prices'.

Table – 2 : Principal Producers of Gypsum, 2014-15

Name and address of Location of mine

producer
State District

Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Ltd, Rajasthan Bikaner

C 89-90, Janpath, Lal Kothi Scheme, Sri Ganganagar
Jaipur- 302 015, Rajasthan. Hanumangarh
Jaisalmer
Jalore
Nagaur

FCI Aravali Gypsum & Minerals India Ltd, Rajasthan Bikaner

(formerly known as Fertilizer Corp. of India Ltd) Sri Ganganagar
Mangu Singh Rajvi Marg, Paota 'B' Road, Jaisalmer
Jodhpur-342 010, Rajasthan.

Table – 3 : Production of Gypsum, 2012-13 to 2014-15

(By States)
(Qty in tonnes; Value in ` '000)

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15(P)

States
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

India 3556723 1699808 3115363 1545061 2477849 1283871

Gujarat 38 4 20 3 - -
Jammu & Kashmir 43432 13080 32211 9663 28694 8608
Rajasthan 3510063 1685212 3080992 1534541 2449155 1275263
Tamil Nadu 3190 1512 2140 854 - -

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 GYPSUM

Table – 4 : Production of Gypsum, 2013-14 & 2014-15

(By Sectors/States/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; Value in ` ’000)
2013-14 2014-15 (P)
State/District
No. of Quantity Value No. of Quantity Value
mines mines

India 38 3 11 5 3 6 3 1545061 31 2477849 1283871

Public sector 31 3080239 1534835 28 2439821 1267044
Private sector 7 35124 10226 3 38028 16827

Gujarat 3 20 3 - - -
Kachchh 3 20 3 - - -

Jammu & Kashmir 2 3 2 2 11 9663 2 28694 8608

Doda 1 15821 4746 1 11724 3517

Ramban 1 16390 4917 1 16970 5091

Rajasthan 31 3080992 1534541 28 2449155 1275263

Barmer* 2* - - - - -
Bikaner 12 1991627 1013108 11 1750934 909810
Sri Ganganagar 11 329892 160683 10 284670 149386
Hanumangarh 2* - - 2* - -
Jaisalmer 3 409953 194728 3 312895 163223
Jalore - - - 1* - -
Nagaur 1 349520 166022 1 100656 52844

Tamil Nadu 2 2140 854 1* - -

Coimbatore 1 1010 403 - - -
Erode 1 1130 451 1* - -

(*): only labour reported.

Table – 5 : Production of Gypsum, 2013-14 & 2014-15

(By Frequency Groups)
(Qty in tonnes)

Production No. of mines Production for Percentage in Cumulative

group the group total production percentage

2013-14 2014-15(P) 2013-14 2014-15(P) 2013-14 2014-15(P) 2013-14 2014-15(P)

All Groups 38 31 3115363 2477849 100.00 100.00 – –

Up to 10000 15 11 22974 9376 0.74 0.38 0.74 0.38
10001-50000 14 12 433863 317058 13.93 12.80 14.67 13.18
50001-100000 2 2 174481 179803 5.60 7.26 20.27 20.44
100001-200000 2 2 298543 214785 9.58 8.67 29.85 29.11
Above 200000 5 4 2185502 1756827 70.15 70.90 100.00 100.00

Table - 6: Mine-head Closing Stocks of Gypsum, 2013-14 & 2014-15

(By States)
(Qty in tonnes)

State 2013-14 2014-15 (P)

India 87784 103725

Gujarat 461 81
Jammu & Kashmir 6 3
Rajasthan 86907 103321
Tamil Nadu 410 320

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Selenite Domestic prices of selenite are furnished in

The production of selenite was 207 tonnes in the General Review on 'Prices'.
the year 2014-15 under review as against 531 tonnes during
the previous year. The entire production
of selenite was reported by Rajasthan State Mines Table – 7 : Principal Producers of Selenite,
& Minerals Ltd (RSMML), a Public Sector 2014-15
Undertaking, that operates three mines, two in Barmer
& one in Bikaner district of Rajasthan (Tables- 7 to 9). Name & Address of Location of Mines
Producer
There were no mine-head closing stocks of selenite State District
for the year 2013-14 and 2014-15. Rajasthan State Mines & Rajasthan Barmer
Minerals Ltd, Bikaner
The average daily labour employed in C 89-90, Janpath,
selenite mines during 2014-15 was 11 as against 9 Lal Kothi Scheme,
in the previous year. Jaipur –302 015,
Rajasthan.

Table – 8 : Production of Selenite, 2012-13 to 2014-15

(By State)
(Qty in tonnes; Value in `’000)
2012-13 2013-14 2014-15(P)
State
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

India/ Rajasthan 7577 10226 531 706 207 456

Table – 9 : Production of Selenite, 2013-14 and 2014-15

(By Sector/State/Districts)
(Qty in tonnes; Value in `’000)

2013-14 2014-15(P)
State/District
No. of mines Quantity Value No. of mines Quantity Value

India 1 531 706 2 207 456

Public sector 1 531 706 2 207 456

Rajasthan 1 531 706 2 207 456

Barmer - - - 1 207 456
Bikaner 1 531 706 1* - -

*: only labour reported.

MINING AND MARKETING gypsum are despatched directly to the user-

Gypsum deposits are usually found at shallow industry or are taken to railway siding for further
depths and are scattered over large areas. loading into railway wagons for dispatch to far
The deposits are mined out by opencast method living user industry. In some mines of Rajasthan,
and usually by manual mining except in a few the excavated gypsum is ground before
semi-mechanised mines in Rajasthan. In semi despatching to the user or party. Based on the
mechanised mines, gypsum is excavated by use of gypsum, the production is classified into
backhoe excavator and directly loaded into trucks/ different grades like Fertilizer grade, Cement
dumpers. The trucks and dumpers loaded with grade, plaster of Paris grade, Surgical grade, etc.

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High-grade gypsum is mostly mined in Bikaner of moulds in the production of sanitarywares. The
and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan. Some used and discarded moulds are in turn again used
gypsum mines in Bikaner district also produce as source of gypsum in cement and other
crystalline variety, i.e., selenite. Gypsum from industries. Low-grade gypsum is used in
Rajasthan is despatched to cement plants in India conditioning of alkaline soil and as manure in
spread over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, agriculture mainly for correcting black alkali soils.
West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, BIS has also prescribed IS:6046-1982 (First
Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, etc. Besides, a Revision; reaffirmed 2008) for gypsum for
substantial quantity, containing about 60-70% agricultural use.
CaSO 4.2H2 O is supplied to Punjab, Uttar Pradesh,
Selenite, a crystalline variety is used to a
Haryana, Delhi, etc. for reclaiming alkaline soil. A
limited extent for gypsum plate for petrological
sizeable quantity of gypsum from mines in Barmer,
microscopes, known as Sensitive Tint. It is also
Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar
used in the Ceramic Industry for making moulds,
and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan is also supplied
to manufacture surgical grade plaster of Paris and
to the plaster of Paris units in Rajasthan, Uttar
also for producing white cement. Plaster of Paris
Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, West Bengal,
Industry requires high purity gypsum. Different
Delhi, etc.
grades of plaster of Paris are manufactured
M/s Saint Gobain Gyproc India Ltd and Boral depending upon the period for setting. For
Gypsum India Pvt Ltd are among the market leaders surgical plaster, a minimum 96% CaSO4.2H2O grade
in plaster of Paris industries and specialise in dry gypsum is required.
construction techniques.
High-purity gypsum may be utilised for
manufacturing of ammonium sulphate fertilizer.
USES AND SPECIFICATIONS Ground pure white gypsum is also used as a filler
Cement, fertilizer (ammonium sulphate) and
in paper, paints and textile goods. Ground low-
plaster of Paris are the three important industries
grade gypsum is used in mine dusting,
in which gypsum is utilised. Gypsum of less
manufacture of black board chalks and as a filler
purity in crushed form is utilised in portland
in insecticides. Besides, gypsum is also used in
cement manufacturing for controlling the setting
other industries like pharmaceutical, textile and
time of portland cement (i.e. as a retarder to
asbestos products.
prevent quick set). It is added to the clinker just
before final grinding to finished cement. Alabaster, a dense, massive, granular and
Proportion of gypsum in Cement Industry is 4-5% translucent variety, is employed as ornamental
of the cement produced. Both, mineral and by- stone in statuary and interior decoration.
product gypsum are used in cement manufacture. BIS specification for by-product gypsum
Calcined gypsum finds use in manufacturing (IS:10170-1982, reaffirmed 2008) lays down a
plaster of Paris. It is also used in manufacturing m i n i m u m 7 0 % c o n t e n t o f C a S O 4. 2 H 2 O a n d
partition blocks, sheets & tiles, insulation boards maximum limit of 0.75% Na, 1.0% F and 15% free
for stucco and lattice works. Gypsum board is moisture on dry basis. The material should pass
primarily used as a finish for walls and ceilings. It through 2 mm sieve, but 50% of material should
is also used as a binder in fast dry tennis court also pass through 0.25 mm (60 mesh) sieve. The
clay. Low-grade gypsum is calcined and used as specifications of by-product gypsum for use in
gypsum plaster after preparation of mortar. It is plaster, blocks and boards, as per IS:12679-1989
used for internal plastering and masonry work. (reaffirmed 2010), is given in Table -10. Besides,
Requirement of low-grade gypsum for use in BIS has prescribed IS:1290-1973 (Second
Building Industry as per IS:12654-1989 (Reaffirmed Revision; reaffirmed 2011) for mineral gypsum.
2010) is: CaSO 4 .2H 2 O not less than 60%. In Specifications of mineral gypsum for different
pottery, calcined gypsum is used for preparation industries are given in Table-11.

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Table – 10 : Requirement of By-product Gypsum for Use in Plaster, Blocks and Boards
(IS:12679 - 1989, Reaffirmed 2010)
Sl. Characteristic Requirement
No.
Phospho-gypsum Fluoro-gypsum Marine-gypsum

1. P 2 O 5 % by mass (max) 0.40 – –

2. F % by mass (max) 0.40 1.00 –
3. Na 2 O % by mass (max) 0.10 – –
4. K 2 O % by mass (max) 0.20 – –
5. Organic matter % by mass (max) 0.15 – –
6. CaSO 4 .2H 2 O % by mass (max) 85.00 90.00* 85.00
7. Cl as NaCl % by mass (max) 0.10 – 0.10
8. pH of 10% aqueous suspension of gypsum (min) 5.00 5.00 6.00

Note: *Fluoro-gypsum shall be in anhydrous form (as CaSO 4 ).

Table – 11 : Specifications of Mineral Gypsum in Different Industries

Surgical Ammonium Pottery Cement Reclamation Extender
Constituent plaster sulphate of soil in paints
fertilizer

Free water 1.0% – 1.0% – – 0.5% (max)

(max.) (max.) when heated for
2 hr. at 45 oC

CO2 1.0% – 3.0% – – –

(max.) (max.)

SiO2 & other insoluble 0.7% 6.0% 6.0% – – –

matter (max.) (max.) (max.)

Iron & aluminium oxide 0.1% 1.5% 1.0% – – –

(max.) (max.) (max.)

MgO 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 3.0 – –

(max.) (max.) (max.) (max.)

CaSO4.2H2O 96.0% 85-90% 85.0% 70-75% 70% 75%

(min.) (min.) (min.) (80-85% (min.) (min.)
for export
quality cement)

NaCl 0.01% 0.003% 0.1% 0.5% – –

(max.) (max.) (max.) (max.)

Na2O – – – – 0.75% –
(max.) (Na)

Fineness – – – – Residue on Residue on 240

2 mm sieve : mesh B.S.
Nil & on test sieve : 0.5%
0.25 mm sieve :
50% (max.)

Oil absorption – – – – – Within 5% of the

approved sample

Colour – – – – – Close match to the

approved sample

Lead & its compounds – – – – – 0.5% (max.) when

(calculated as metallic lead-free gypsum
lead) is required.

Physical form – – – – – In the form of dry powder.

Microscopic form – – – – – Material should match

entirely with the charac-
teristics of gypsum crystals.

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 GYPSUM

BY-PRODUCT GYPSUM in dihydrate (CaSO 4.2H 2 O) or the hemihydrate

(CaSO 4.1/2 H2O) form. Generally, about 4 to 6 tonnes
Phospho-gypsum of phospho-gypsum are generated to recover one
Phospho-gypsum is produced as a by-product tonne of phosphoric acid. The purity of phospho-
during the manufacture of phosphoric acid by gypsum ranges from 77 to 98% CaSO 4.2H 2O. It
wet process. The quality & quantum of phospho- contains about 0.2 to 0.7% total P 2O 5. Phospho-
gypsum generation depend upon the quality of the gypsum is mostly used in Cement and Fertilizer
phosphate rock, process route used to produce industries. The principal producer of phospho-
phosphoric acid, calcium sulphate generated either gypsum are given in Table- 12.

Table – 12 : Principal Producers of Phospho-gypsum

State Unit

Andhra Pradesh Coromandel International Ltd, Visakhapatnam.

Gujarat (i) Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd, Fertilizernagar, Vadodara district.
(ii) Hindalco Industries Ltd, P.O. - Dahej.

Kerala (i) Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Ltd, Udyogamandal, Ernakulam district.
(ii) Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Ltd, Ambalamedu, Ernakulam district.

Maharashtra Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers, Chembur, Mumbai.

Odisha (i) Paradeep Phosphates Ltd.

(ii) IFFCO, Paradeep, district Jagatsinghpur.

Tamil Nadu (i) Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Ltd, Thoothukudi.

(ii) Coromandel International Ltd, Ennore, Thiruvallur.
(iii) Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd, Thoothukudi.

West Bengal Tata Chemicals Ltd, Haldia.

P r e s e n t l y, m o s t p h o s p h o r i c a c i d p l a n t s which is desirable. These entities along with

dispose the phospho-gypsum generated, by way radon that were a scare in the 1980s resulted in a
of stacking it within the plant premises. These 1989 EPA (Environment Protection Agency, USA)
stacks are subsequently sold off when demand ruling that phospho-gypsum is unsuitable for sale
arises for them. Phospho-gypsum generated from as common gypsum.
phosphoric acid plants contains three types of
impurities such as residual acid, fluorine Fluoro-gypsum
compounds and trace elements including those Fluoro-gypsum is obtained as by-product
that are radioactive that are considered to be during the manufacture of aluminium fluoride and
potentially harmful. hydrofluoric acid using fluorite. Important units
The environmental concerns mainly are that produces aluminium fluoride are Navin
associated with phospho-gypsum stacks are Fluorine International Ltd, Udhana-Navsari Road,
fluoride uptake and ground & surface water Surat district, Gujarat; Tanfac Industries Ltd,
pollution. For useful application of phospho- SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Cuddalore, Tamil
gypsum, the presence of fluorine and phosphate Nadu; Maya Rasayan Ltd, Mumbai; Aegies
contents considered deleterious. The phosphate Chemical Ltd Dombivali, Thane, Maharashtra, etc.
content affects setting properties of cement and and these in all likelihood recover fluoro-gypsum
fluorine content causes ring formation in kiln. in their chemical plants.
Besides, phospho-gypsum also poses radiological
hazard due to the presence of naturally occurring Boro-gypsum
uranium and radium in the phosphate ore. By-product boro-gypsum is obtained at a
Phospho-gypsum is known to contain about 1% plant which refines calcium borates (colemanite
P 2O5, 1% F and 10 to 30 times more radon, none of and ulexite) to produce borax and boric acid.
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 GYPSUM

Borax Morarjee Ltd, Ambarnath, Thane district, CONSUMPTION

Maharashtra is one of the main Company About 8.99 million tonnes gypsum in all
engaged in refining of borates and had reported forms was consumed in organised sector in
production of by-product boro-gypsum in 2014-15 as against 9.23 million tonnes in 2013-14. A
the past. However, detailed information on substantial quantity of mineral gypsum as well as
production of boro-gypsum is not available. phospho-gypsum was used in Agricultural Sector
National Peroxide Ltd, Kalyan, Maharashtra for conditioning of alkaline soil. The respective share
produces sodium perborate, information on of natural gypsum, by-product gypsum and marine
production of boro-gypsum, if any at this plant gypsum in total consumption during 2014-15 was
is not available. about 58%, 37%, and 5%. Consumption of Gypsum
in plaster of Paris moulds was negligible. Almost
Marine Gypsum the entire quantity of natural gypsum in 2014-15 was
Marine gypsum is obtained as a by-product consumed in the manufacture of cement (99%). The
during the production of common salt by solar remaining nominal consumption was in plaster of
evaporation. The total production of marine Paris, Asbestos products, Ceramic, Fertilizer,
gypsum as per the Salt Commissioner, Jaipur, Refractories, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Paint and
was 170,916 tonnes in 2013-14 and 246,687 tonnes Chemical Industries. The entire quantity of marine
in 2014-15, reported from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. gypsum and gypsum moulds was consumed in
Marine gypsum recovered from Gujarat, earlier, Cement and Ceramic Industries, respectively.
showed 89.72-92.62% CaSO 4 .2H 2 O, 0.48 to By-product gypsum was also almost entirely
2.08% NaCl, 0.57% MgCl 2 , 3.42% MgSO4 and consumed for manufacture of cement and
3.48 to 7.65% insolubles. No recent test results meagre consumption was in Ceramic and
are available. Fertilizer Industries in 2014-15 (Table- 13).

Table- 13 : Consumption of Gypsum, 2012-13 to 2014-15

(By Industries & Categorywise)
(In tonnes)

Category Industry 2012-13 2013-14(R) 2014-15(P)

All Industries Grand Total 9274100 9229300 8990500

Natural Gypsum Total 5608700 5393100 5223000

Asbestos products 700(4) 700(4) 700(4)
Cement 5568900(88) 5353300(91) 5183400(93)
Ceramic 400(1) 400(1) 400(1)
Fertilizer 100(1) 100(1) 100(1)
Paint ++(2) ++(2) ++(2)
Pharmaceutical 900(2) 900(2) 900(2)
Plaster of Paris 37700(5) 37700(5) 37500(5)
Refractories ++(1) ++(1) ++(1)
Textile ++(1) ++(1) ++(1)

By-product Gypsum Total 3179700 3307900 3283000

Cement 3178900(76) 3305800(83) 3280900(85)
Ceramic 600(1) 600(1) 600(1)
Fertilizer 200(1) 1500(2) 1500(2)

Marine Gypsum Total 482800 525400 481500

Cement 482800(17) 525400(18) 481500(18)

Gypsum Moulds Total 2900 2900 3000

Ceramic 2900(5) 2900(5) 3000(5)

Figures rounded off.

Figures in parenthesis denote the number of units in organised sector reporting* consumption.
(*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates made wherever required).

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INDUSTRY F R B L , K o c h i , m a n u f a c t u r e s P R E FAB
Saint-Gobain Gyproc India (formerly India GYPWALL which is a revolutionary low-cost load
Gypsum Ltd) has been a pioneer in introducing bearing pre-fabricated walling system with broad
light weight interior construction practices. The construction application. Glass fibre reinforced
Company manufactures an extensive range of
gypsum (GFRG) wall, a new composite wall
gypsum boards & plasters systems, and providing
solutions for partitions, wall panels, ceilings and product, is made of gypsum plaster reinforced with
internal wall linings. SGGI has three manufacturing glass fibre. GFRG Wall panel is suitable for use in
plants located at Jind (Haryana), Wada (near residential, commercial and industrial building
Mumbai) and Bengaluru that produce light weight construction. FRBL also manufactures gypsum
construction solution, gypsum plaster boards based silky wall plaster/shine wall putty, a unique
and other accessories. Saint-Gobain lays great
light weight material and is an advanced substitute
emphasis on new business development
models with an aim to strengthen its presence in to the conventional cement and sand plastering.
t h e I n d i a n m a r k e t . Wi t h c o m m i t m e n t s t o FRBL plaster reduces plastering/finishing time by
investments in manufacturing activities in about 60% providing smooth shrinkage crack free
place, the Company has operative plans to walls and ceilings. The plaster can be applied
diversify by bringing in advanced technological directly over brick /stone masonry or concrete
competency for manufacturing state-of-the-art
surfaces which does not require water curing and
products and expanding its hold in the market.
is ready to be painted in less than 48 hours.
Boral Gypsum India Pvt Ltd (BGI) is also
among the market leader in designing,
manufacturing and supplying gypsum board, WORLD REVIEW
standard and technical metal systems for ceilings The world reserves of gypsum are large.
& partition, aesthetic range of ceiling tiles, joint The total reported production of gypsum in
compounds and complete accessories. BGI makes 2014 was about 176.7 million tonnes as against
use of mineral gypsum, sedimentary rock extracted
170.7 million tonnes in 2013. China was the
from mines and synthetic gypsum, generated from
by-products produced during energy generation largest producer accounting for 22%, followed
or during processing of industrial waste. The by USA (10%), Iran & Thailand (8% each ), Iraq
mineral gypsum is mostly supplied from different (6%), Turkey & Mexico (5% each), Spain &
mines of Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Ltd Russia (4% each) and Australia, Brazil, Canada
and FCI Aravali Gypsum & Minerals India Ltd, & India (2% each) (Tables- 14 & 15).
located mainly in Rajasthan.
In the year 2008-09, Rashtriya Chemicals and Table – 14 : World Reserves of Gypsum
Fertilizers Ltd (RCF) formed a Joint Venture (By Principal Countries)
Company with Fertilizers and Chemicals
(In '000 tonnes)
Travancore Limited (FACT) by incorporating
FACT-RCF Building Products Ltd (FRBL) to set Country Reserves
up a Rapidwall project at Kochi. Both RCF and World: Total (Rounded) Large
FACT have 50:50 equity holding in the Company.
Brazil 290000
The plant was commissioned in June 2012 and is
in operation. The plant was set up to utilise by- Canada 450000
product gypsum generated to produce load India* 39000
bearing wall panels, wall plaster and wall putty
Iran 1600
through Rapidwall technology provided by Rapid
Building Systems Pty Ltd, Australia, a world leader USA 700000
in making large size load bearing building panels
Source: Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2016.
from Gypsum. The JV has obtained BMTPC * India's total resources of gypsum as per UNFC are placed
Certification for the Gypwall panels. at 1,286 million tonnes as on 1.4.2010.

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 GYPSUM

Table – 15: World Production of Gypsum Imports

(By Principal Countries) Imports of gypsum at 44,21,048 tonnes in
(In '000 tonnes) 2014-15 increased from 32,31,930 tonnes in 2013-14.
Imports of alabaster increased marginally to
Country 2012 2013 2014
912 tonnes in 2014-15 from 877 tonnes in 2013-14.
World: Total 162768 170765 176619 Gypsum was imported mainly from Oman
Algeria 2000 2078 2130 (68%), Pakistan (20%), Iran (8%), Thailand (2%) and
Argentina 1433 1450 1500 UAE (1%). All the Alabaster was solely imported
Australia 3835 3589 3700 from Spain. (Tables- 17 & 18).
(a)
Austria 792 635 730
Brazil 3750 3333 3300
(a) Table – 16: Exports of Gypsum & Plaster
Canada 2550 2654 1811
(By Countries)
Chile 799 1015 843
China 37000 37000 37000
(a)
Egypt 966 1000 1000 2013-14 2014-15(P)
(a)
France 2315 2190 1908 Country
(a)
Germany 1949 1778 1802 Qty Value Qty Value
#
India 3564 2930 2737 (t) (` ''000) (t) (` '000)
Iran 14179 17354 17500
Iraq 9424 10462 10462
(a) All Countries 48924 109055 65645 158036
Italy 3201 3192 8551
Nepal 47106 73634 60297 92993
Mexico 9456 7903 8500 Bhutan - - 2947 23809
Oman 1915 2785 3387 UAE 42 674 287 7419
Pakistan 1260 1250 1322 Sri Lanka 222 3235 320 5897
Poland(e) 1395 1270 1232 Australia - - 138 5671
Russia 3100 5100 5300 Bangladesh 244 1822 548 4536
Saudi Arabia 1700 1700 1780 Singapore 160 5808 80 3945
Spain 6360 7389 7000 Papua New Guinea - - 300 3098
Thailand 12304 13240 13302 Tanzania Rep. 308 7316 134 2388
Turkey 8248 9790 9800 Kenya 90 1943 162 2360
(a)
Ukraine 2186 2175 1525 Other countries 752 14623 432 5920
UK 1200 1200 1200
USA 15800 16300 17100 (e)
Table – 17: Imports of Gypsum
Other countries 10086 10002 10196
(By Countries)
Source: World Mineral Production, 2010-2014.
(a): Including Anhydrite, # Including Selenite
*India's production of gypsum during 2012-13,2013-14 2013-14 2014-15(P)
Country
and 2014-15 was 3,557 thousand tonnes, 3,115 thousand
Qty Value Qty Value
tonnes and 2,478 thousand tonnes, respectiely.
(t) (` '000) (t) (` '000)
*India's production of selenite during 2012-13, 2013-14
and 2014-15 was 7,557 tonnes, 531 tonnes and 207 tonnes,
All Countries 3231930 5252011 4421048 6747745
respectiely.
Oman 1818917 2740567 3013022 4210918
Pakistan 557507 792954 905197 1281990
FOREIGN TRADE Iran 359327 605933 356668 636536
Thailand 449815 862962 88298 279095
Exports USA 2106 100799 1734 86326
Exports of gypsum and plaster at 65,645 tonnes UAE 31698 35746 43003 73466
South Africa ++ 5 8364 67349
in 2014-15 increased by 34% from 48,924 tonnes
Turkey 1391 30451 1312 32610
in the preceding year. Exports of alabaster was
China 1115 24276 1027 25285
not reported during 2014-15. Gypsum & plaster Germany 332 12732 494 19172
were exported mainly to Nepal (92%) (Table-16). Other countries 9722 45586 1929 34998

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 GYPSUM

Table – 18 : Imports of Alabaster

(By Countries)
2013-14 2014-15(P)
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
(t) (`'000) (t) (`'000)

All Countries 877 23975 912 24831

Spain 874 23914 912 24831
Other countries 3 61 - -

FUTURE OUTLOOK suitable mining technology to exploit, deep-

seatedgypsum resources in Bhadvasi deposit,
India's domestic resources of gypsum are large
Nagaur district Rajasthan. State-of-the-art-
enough to meet increased demand. The apparent
technology needs to be adopted for the
domestic demand of gypsum was estimated at
exploitation of deep-seated gypsum.
5.66 million tonnes by 2011-12 and 8.71 million tonnes
by 2016-17 at 9% growth rate as per the Report of Other segments that would attract attention
the Working Group for 12 th Plan, Planning would be production of gypsum wallboard which
Commission of India. The apparent consumption of is currently negligible in India. It could find better
Gypsum, Anhydrite, Marine gypsum and plaster prospects as its light weight and other special
during 2012-13 (P) was about 6.54 million tonnes. characteristics. It being an excellent partition
Wi t h r e n e w e d f o c u s o n i m p r o v i n g t h e material could facilitate its utility in high rise
economy and upscaling industrial developments, building constructions. In view of the
India lays greater emphasis on creation of environmental problem arising from huge
infrastructure. As per the Working Group report, accumulation of phospho-gypsum at different
augmentation of infrastructural activities will fertilizer plants, possibilities of finding other
endanger further growth of the Cement Industry plausible means for its utilisation has become a
which concomitantly will raise the consumption necessity. Low-grade gypsum being cheaper could
of gypsum and therby its demand. Further, as per find better prospects in its application more as a
the report, steps would be necessary to find out soil conditioner for reclamation of alkaline soils.

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