About Barite
- Barite crystal
Barite offers several benefits
While the majority of Barite mined in Duntanlich is used in the Oil and Gas industry, the use of Barite is progressively gaining importance in other industry sectors.
Barite offers several benefits such as strong inertia, moderate rigidity, good stability, high specific gravity, and acid and alkali proof.
- Barite extracted from Duntanlich mine
The mineral characteristics of Barite
Hardness 3-3.5 (Mohs)
Pure Barite Density 4.48t/m3
Duntanlich Barite Density range: 4.15 to 4.3t/m3
Colour: Light Grey
Barite or Barytes (Barium Sulphate) is a mineral largely used (77% of it) as a weighting agent for drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration. It is an essential component and there is no substitute that has all of its properties.
Current policy direction is towards self-sufficiency and sustainability in energy and strategic minerals and there are ongoing concerns about UK self-sufficiency in both these areas.
World demand continues to put pressure on sources of barite in Morocco, India and China.
The Barite deposit at Duntanlich Mine is unique in the UK and identified as being “world class with considerable economic importance and geological significance.”1 It is also the only known significant Barite orebody in the UK that is economic to work.
The mine helps the UK towards self sufficency in Barite and provides an indigenous and secure long term source of the mineral to the economically important UK North Sea oil and gas industry.
Drilling Mud
Used as a weighting agent in drilling fluids for oil and gas exploration to prevent blowouts.
Construction
As heavy aggregate.
Medical Field
Utilized in the production of barium meals and enemas for radiographic imaging of the digestive system. Used as a filler for plaster.
Pigment
Serves as a white pigment in paints and coatings.
Plastics
Acts as a filler to enhance the density and improve the quality of plastics.
Rubber
Used as a filler to improve the strength and durability of rubber products.
Glass Manufacturing
Added to glass to enhance its brilliance and clarity.
Radiation Shielding
Incorporated in concrete and other materials to shield against X-ray and gamma-ray emissions.
Cosmetics
Used as a pigment and filler in cosmetics for its non-toxic properties.
Paper
Serves as a coating pigment to improve the brightness and smoothness of paper.
Automotive
Utilized in brake linings and clutch pads for its friction properties and for sound dampening.
Electronics
Employed in the production of television and computer screens for its density and clarity.
