Rockburst in fine-grained granite is influenced by high stress and excavation unloading. Triaxial tests on granite cubes revealed that unloading weakens rock strength, with slower unloading rates and higher confining pressures leading to stronger rockburst. Lower unloading rates enhance rock bearing strength and energy storage, resulting in more intense rockburst when failure occurs. The failure mode shifts from shear-tension to tension with increasing confining pressure, weakening rock strength. Understanding this unloading effect is crucial for predicting and preventing rockburst.