Dimension Stone Source

We would like to seek for oversea partners for a granite dimension stone extracting project in Bukit Kelip, Terengganu, Malaysia. Our study confirmed that this area as a good source of granite dimension stone. A preliminary estimate shows that granite reserve stands at about 127 million m3, which lasts for 528 years. For more information, please click here.

Any inquiry pertaining to the project, please fill up the form. We will contact you within 5 business days.

INTRODUCTION

Bukit Kelip is a potential source of good quality granite dimension stone. Realizing the potential and promising future of Bukit Kelip, we carried out intensive studies, both in literature and also on the ground. Samples were collected, cut and polished. This study confirmed the potential of Bukit Kelip as a good source of granite dimension stone.

We plans to exploit the available granite reserve in a systematic and professional manner and at the same time preserving greenery at the area. This project intends to integrate granite extraction, an upstream activity, with the processing of granite into finished products, a downstream activity.

OVERVIEW OF DIMENTION STONE
Commercially, there are 2 types of dimension stones; granite and marble. Granite covers a range of rock types including:

• Granite
• Diorite
• Gabbro
• Basalt
• Shyenite
• Granodiorite
• Diabase
• Gneiss

Marble covers a range of rock types including:

• Marble
• Travertine
• Serpentine
• Dolomite
• Onyx

THE LAND
The land under application is a state land with an area of approximately 149.73ha (370ac). Many boulders are visible at the foothills on the ground as evidenced around the northwestern boundary of the land. The main land comprise of granite hill mass.

The area can be accessed via 120km length metalled road from Kuala Terengganu via Ajil. Upon reaching Kampung Belimbing, turn south using a plantation road for 3km where the northern boundary of the land is located.

Alternatively, drive until Kampung Jongok Batu junction. At this point, turn towards the direction of Bandar Amuktafi Billah Shah whereby a short stretch of 3km metalled road shall reach the entrance to an Oil Palm plantation owned by Felcra Ladang Jongok Batu II.

From this point, the access shall be estate road comprising of quarry ballast surfaced and laterite-surfaced road.

GEOLOGY
The Kelip area is a granodiorite-diorite-tonalite complex mass. There are 4 bodies, 2 large and 2 small exposed in this area. The best exposure is in the upper reaches of Sungai Cheniah.

The texture and mineralogy are variable in some parts of the area. In general, the rock of the complex is melanocratic, medium to coarse grained and granitic in texture. These are characterized by the presence of dark brown biotite. The composition of this rock is essentially granodioritic consisting of quartz, plagioclase, biotite, hornblend and minor amounts of ‘sericite’, calcite and chlorite.

Arenaceous beds are most abundant in the Ulu Sungai Perlis-Ulu Sungai Tembeling region and in the vicinities of the Bukit Kelip, Bukit Lentor, Bukit Tulis, Sungai Ranson and Ulu Sungai Akar. The beds consist mainly of poorly sorted protoquartzite, and commonly grey in color, due to the presence of clay, as well as carbonaceous and ferruginous material. Altered lithic framments, together with the clay matrix, constitute 25% of the rock volume. Low-grade regional metamorphism and local thermal metamorphism have in places altered these beds to such metasediments as quartzite, quartz-mica hornfels, quartz-mica-andalusite hornfels, and calc-silicate hornfels.

Samples extracted from the area, which were cut and polished, have high commercial value. Its color is mostly dark blue and contains the following minerals:

• Quartz              5-10%
• Plagioclase       45-55%
• Biotite               5-10%
• Hornblend          3-5%

STONE QUALITY
There are no specifications to determine quality of dimension stone as it depends on individual’s taste and preference. However, most would agree that good quality dimension stone should possess the following qualities:

• Attractive colors
• Uniformity in color and texture
• Free from flaws
• Can be polished easily
• Hard and can withstand friction and abrasion
• Free from close spacing joints

The following few paragraphs are observations made on the granite samples and outcrop by the consultant engineer and also based on published reports.

Colors
Granite samples collected at the project site show that it is dark and bluish in color with medium to coarse grain size. It is very similar to the South African ‘Rustenberg’, which is well known worldwide.

Uniformity in Color and Texture
Samples collected at the project site show that the color and texture are very uniform. This is very normal for granite, unlike limestone and marble.

Flaws
Overall, the granite is free from major flaws.

Can be Polished Easily
We have collected many samples in the project area. Most of the samples were sent for polishing. Results show that the granite samples can easily be polished into shining and attractive slabs.

Hard and Can Withstand Friction and Abrasion
Granite by nature is hard materials. Test results are shown below.

Free from Close Spacing Joints
Most outcrop found at the project site have joints spacing varying from 2 meters to 3 meters. This is good for extraction of granite for dimension stone.

RESERVE AND QUARRY LIFE
Working Area
An estimate of the granite reserve has been made based on the available topographical map of the area. Also, based on the consultant’s site observation in September 2002, indicates that the resources can last for a few centuries. A preliminary estimate shows that granite reserve stands at about 127 million m3, which lasts for 528 years.

Overburden Stockpile Area
The proposed dry dumps or overburden dumping areas are situated at the north of the area to be quarried. The area allocated is 18.3ha and have a capacity of 1.83 million m3 (at a dumping height of 10 m), which can last for 126 years. Beyond this period, the quarried areas of phases 1 and 2 shall be utilized for dumping the remaining overburden. However, this is only educational as the land is being applied for a period of 40 years only.

PROJECT CONCEPT
We have outlined 2 types of activities for this project. They are listed below:

• Quarrying operation to extract granite blocks using diamond wire saw technique and drilling/chiseling technique
• Processing of granite blocks into floor, wall slabs and facades

PROJECT SCHEDULE
The project shall be carried out in 2 phases, namely:

• Phase 1 – quarry development
• Phase 2 – quarrying operation

Based on previous experience of similar quarry, this project can be operational between 12 to 15 months. The period will be used to carry out quarry development work.

Quarrying operation will start after quarry development has been completed. Granite blocks will be extracted, cut, polished and sold to customers and the operating company will get its first income. In order to generate a reasonable level of income, granite boulders shall be sold initially.

Finally, we are looking forward to work with the international corporation for the above project. Please contact us if any inquiries.