Huge chunks of granite are mined from deposits in the earth for the specific purpose of producing granite slabs. Chunks are either cut out of granite deposits or blasted out using explosives.
A chunk of granite will be extracted from a deposit site and cut into a large block. That block is then placed in a slicing machine that uses a special diamond-tipped blade to cut through the granite.
Granite blocks that have been mined are most often cut into ¾ -inch or 1 ¼-inch slabs. Granite slabs are traditionally cut into sections 112 inches long by 65 inches wide.
Granite slabs can weigh quite a bit which is why they should only be handled by qualified professionals. A ¾-inch slab weighs approximately 12.8 pounds per square foot. The 1 ¼-inch granite slabs typically weigh about 18 pounds per square foot.
Part of the reason that granite slabs are cut to specific lengths is to make it easier to ship them in mass quantities. Slabs are bundled together in groups of 8 to 10. Several bundles can fit into a traditional train or shipping container.