We supply API barite powder, drilling grade barite ore, chemical grade barite ore, precipitated barium sulfate and paint grade barite to global customers.
Mineralogy and stratigraphy
Barite is a mineral composed of barium sulfate (BaSO4). Its name comes from Greek "barys", meaning "heavy". The name is reaction to the high specific gravity of barite 4.5,
Barite is usually white / gray in appearance, but due to the influence of impurities, its color may change from yellow, brown, red or even black. The hardness of barite is 3.0 to 3.5, which makes it a relatively soft mineral. It is chemically inert and insoluble and has high density, so it is suitable for various applications. Typical chemical composition: Bao 65.7%; SO3 34.3%.
Barite is formed through many processes, including hydrothermal, biogenetic and evaporating. In addition to residual sediments, barite also exists in veins and layered beds. Vein and residuals are the source of hydrothermal fluid, while layered sediments are the sediments. The most important layered sediments are those formed by barite deposition on or near the bottom of sedimentary basin. Salt water is produced by reduced migration of salt water flow and is concentrated by major basins controlling faults. They are usually associated with base metal sulfides (mainly zinc and lead).
As a result of fluid mixing or pressure and / or temperature reduction, barium rich hot fluid deposits in faults and fractures form vein like deposits. Residual sediments are formed by dissolution of vein like host rocks or layered sediments, leaving irregular barite in clay matrix. The size and shape of such deposits vary greatly, but can extend for several kilometers
Barite application
In addition to its chemical and physical inertness, relative softness and extremely low solubility, barite is mainly used for its high specific gravity (SG 4.5).
Global reserves
7.4 million tons
The world's Barite resources of all categories are about 2 billion tons, and the proven resources are 740 million tons.
Global production
8 million tons
It is estimated that 8 million tons of barite will be mined globally every year. China accounts for about 40% of this production, followed by India (20%) and Morocco (13%). The United States, Mexico, Turkey and Iran are also producers.
American consumption
2 million 600 thousand tons
The United States is the largest consumer of barite, with 2.6 million tons in 2017. The second largest consumer is China and Saudi Arabia, which consume about 1.6 million tons and 1 million tons respectively.
Largest ore
50 million tons
India has the world's largest single barite ore deposit, the state-owned mangmpet mine, with an estimated remaining reserve of 50 million tons.
