Geological Survey of India (GSI)’s drilling under Development of Village Economy through Mineral Appraisal (DOVEMAP) scheme has found black granite in the Beed District of Maharastra. In Dharur, Wadwani and Kaij Taluks , 600 sq.km. area was covered on 1:50,000 scale and 40 samples were collected for various analysis. Some potential zones of black granite dimension stone have been located around Kekat Sarani and Kadamwadi villages. The rock samples of this area takes very good polish. The polished basalt samples can be marketed as black granite. According to GSI scientists as the Basalt is highly joined and at places minor cracks are observed only smaller size blocks/tiles can be produced from these locations.

    The project was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Mines Shri Jayasingrao Gaikwad Patil in November, 2000. A part of Marathawada region Beed District is a backward district of Maharastra with poor rainfall and less number of industries.

    GSI has also taken up land use and soil survey, environmental study, geophysical survey and water management in the area. The district covers an area of 10693 sq.km. and is a part of Maharastra plateau. The Central part of the district covering parts of Kaij, Dharur and Beed Taluks comprises highly dissected hilly tract.