I find it entirely plausible that the WT is involved in granite mining in China. Maybe they haven't bought a whole mountain, but it wouldn't surprise me if they are using granite from mines that the WT is either investing in themselves or, as per usual....probably the money bag men who pull the WT's strings have ownership in Chinese mining projects.
I wonder what the quality of stone is that they are getting.
http://solidsurfacealliance.org/ss-better-than-granite6.html
Many countries, alarmed by the surge in granite use in homes, have sponsored
studies into the health aspects of granite, mostly radiation issues and Radon
gas exhalation rates. China was so concerned with the radiation levels of
granite that they started classifying and regulating it into four levels, with only
the safest level being suitable for use in Chinese dwellings. Silicosis is a well
studied problem from the last century, once almost eradicated as an industrial
disease, yet making a comeback due to the boom in granite countertop
fabrication.
The lower prices of exported granite from China is mostly due to the banning of
the three lower levels from being used inside Chinese dwellings, yet the
regulations do not prohibit export.
And, apparently injury to workers is the biggest problem that granite mining faces:
By far the worst problem caused by the large slab sizes is the injury and
accidental death of workers. A full size granite slab will weigh over one
thousand pounds, enough to crush a man, even amputate limbs. Slabs are
handled with slab clamps which grab the center of the sheet. If the slab breaks,
the suddenly unbalanced slab can easily crush feet and hands, even swinging
out of control to kill workers. A-frame failures have killed many workers, falling
like dominoes, dozens even hundreds of slabs collapsing in some cases.