Focus on Self-reliance to Decrease Import of Barite in Various Emerging Economies

 

Barite is a type of mineral containing potassium sulfate or potassium borate. Barite is most commonly yellow or white in color, and the most common source of this mineral is barium sulfate. It is often found as a deposit in the rocks of North America, particularly the Western Interior Seaway. The marine group contains celestine, anglesite and anhydrite. Barite and celestine have a crystalline structure, which is why they are called borate minerals.

Barite has many uses, including in construction, plumbing, textiles, paints, and cosmetics. It also has been used in the treatment of asthma and pulmonary problems, in the production of drugs for cancer, and for treating aneBarite mia. It is known to be a potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent. Studies have shown that it can decrease the size and speed up the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, as well as to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause cholera.

Barite is very stable and water resistant. It is also a relatively inert mineral, which makes it ideal for use as a flooring material in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, and in shower pans. It has been used to make concrete, which was used in roadways, in place of asphalt. As a result of its high strength, durability, and resistance to damage, it was used extensively in the construction of dams. It was also used in making cement products, especially in making bricks.

Barite can be extracted from many places around the world. For example, it can be found in rock cavities, in the calcite of volcanic rock, in granite, in the felsic quartz of volcanic rock, and in metamorphic rocks. Barite is commonly found in sedimentary rocks. The Barite deposits in New Mexico and Arizona are unique in that they have been geologically proven to contain large amounts of this mineral. However, many other marine deposits are yet to be tested, because no scientific tests on them have been done. Some of the other types of barite deposits include those found in Europe and those found in the United States. This type of barite comes from shale deposits of the Devonian and Silurian age, which are commonly found in North Carolina and Kentucky. The deposits of the Silurian age contain very small quantities of this mineral, which are called rhyolites. In addition to being formed from shale and rhyolites, a small amount of this mineral, called the brecciation, is found in the limestone of the United States, as well as in the deposits of the Devonian age. In the recent past, import of barite has taken a hit in some emerging countries as they are focused on self-reliance for minerals and metals. In July 2020, Nigeria banned the importation of barite to help the country save foreign exchange for other purposes. Nigeria imports $300 million worth of barite annually from Morocco.