Baryte
Chemical Formula
BaSO4
Chemical Class
Sulfates
Properties
Baryte is the most abundant mineral, and the most relevant barium source (Ba) for chemicals, and it is used in paint industry, used as load in paper and tissues, in cosmetics, as a pigment and as radiology contrast.
Origin
Piauí
Curiosities
Baryte mineral name comes from the Greek barys, meaning heavy, due to its high density.
Use
However, the highest demand for this mineral is producing high density sludge to drill oil, gas and geological probing wells.
Source: MM Gerdau - Museu das Minas e do Metal -