Barite

Barite, also spelled baryte, is a mineral composed of barium sulfate (BaSO₄). It is commonly found in a range of colors, including white, yellow, gray, blue, or brown, and often forms tabular crystals or massive, granular, and fibrous aggregates. Barite is known for its high density, making it unique among non-metallic minerals.

It is primarily used as a weighting agent in drilling muds for oil and gas exploration. Other applications include its use in the production of barium chemicals, as a filler in paints, plastics, and rubber, and in radiology for X-ray imaging contrast agents. Barite occurs in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary deposits, and as a product of volcanic activity.