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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.

ABC of mining