Barite and fluorspar

2021

Resources

Documented anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.67 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes. Due to the abandoned exploitation, the resources have not changed for a couple of years. The total domestic demand has been covered by import for the last couple of years.

For the last couple of years – due to the increasing demand for the barytic flours for the well drilling – the restarting of the barite mines has been considered (mainly the Stanisławów deposit as one of the biggest deposits in Europe). The prospective of enlarging the barite resources can be connected with the secondary tectonic zones along the Intrasudetic Fault, in the western extension of the Jeżów Sudecki deposit and in the northern extension of the Jedlinka deposit. The prognostic resources of barite are currently assessed to be equal 2.49 million tonnes, whereas the prospective resources – 1.67 million tonnes*. In turn, the prognostic resources of fluorite have been assessed to be equal 0.29 million tonnes and prospective resources – 0.10 million tonnes.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

* Sroga C., 2020 – ‘Baryt (barite, baryte) i fluoryt (fluorite, fluorspar)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 207-212. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2020

Resources

Documented anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.67 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes. Due to the abandoned exploitation, the resources have not changed for a couple of years. The total domestic demand has been covered by import for the last couple of years.

For the last couple of years – due to the increasing demand for the barytic flours for the well drilling – the restarting of the barite mines has been considered (mainly Stanisławów deposit as one of the biggest deposits in Europe). The prospective of enlarging the barite resources can be connected with the secondary tectonic zones along the Intrasudetic Fault, in the western extension of Jeżów Sudecki deposit and in the northern extension of Jedlinka deposit. The prognostic resources of barite are currently assessed to be equal 2.49 million tonnes, whereas the prospective resources – 1.67 million tonnes*. In turn, the prognostic resources of fluorite have been assessed to be equal 0.29 million tonnes and prospective resources – 0.10 million tonnes.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

* Sroga C., 2020 – ‘Baryt (barite, baryte) i fluoryt (fluorite, fluorspar)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 207-212. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2019

Resources

Documented anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.67 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes. Due to the abandoned exploitation, the resources have not changed for a couple of years. The total domestic demand is covered by import.

For the last couple of years – due to the increasing demand for the barytic flours for the well drilling – the restarting of the barite mines has been considered (mainly Stanisławów deposit as one of the biggest deposits in Europe). The prospective of enlarging the barite resources can be connected with the secondary tectonic zones along the Intrasudetic Fault, in the western extension of Jeżów Sudecki deposit and in the northern extension of Jedlinka deposit. The prognostic resources of barite are currently assessed to be equal 2.49 million tonnes, whereas the prospective resources – 1.67 million tonnes*. In turn, the prognostic resources of fluorite have been assessed to be equal 0.29 million tonnes and prospective resources – 0.10 million tonnes.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

* Sroga C., 2020 – ‘Baryt (barite, baryte) i fluoryt (fluorite, fluorspar)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 207-212. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2018

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in a well drilling. Its use in the paper, chemical and paint industries is gradually shrinking at the advantage of an artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide)

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in a metallurgy (in a steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in the production of aluminum) and in ceramic and chemical industries.

Barite and fluorspar are minerals occurring in the hydrothermal veins in a paragenesis with metal sulphides. They were exploited jointly from deposits located in the Lower Silesia area, therefore they are discussed together. Except of the deposits from the mentioned above area, the barite accumulations are also known in the Holy Cross Mts.

In the deposits located in the Lower Silesia region, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. A mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. Generally speaking, the content of fluorite generally increases along with depth. In Boguszów mine (in the vicinities of Wałbrzych) fluorite can be spotted at the depth of 400 meters. The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in the result of that damage and the deposit resources were reclassified as anticipated sub-economic. The next year – that is in 1998 – also the mining operations in Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

In the past, barite was also extracted from Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. Nowadays the exploitation is abandoned. In this deposit barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian where the useful component content is low (about 30 %) and the resources are relatively small.

Documented anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.67 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes. Due to the abandoned exploitation the resources have not changed in comparison with 2017.

Prognostic resources of barite are estimated to be equal 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009*.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

*Sroga C., 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 122-127. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2017

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in a well drilling. Its use in a paper, chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of an artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in a metallurgy (in a steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in the production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industries.

In recently abandoned mine operations in Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in the paragenesis with fluorspar so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. A mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that the content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in the result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year – that is in 1998 – also the mining operations in Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In this deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of a low BaSO4 content (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Documented anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.67 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

In a view of increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009*.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

*Sroga C., 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 122-127. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2016

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in a well drilling. Its use in paper, chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of an artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in metallurgy (in steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industries.

In recently abandoned mine operations in Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in paragenesis with fluorspar so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. A mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in the result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year – that is in 1998 – also the mining operations in Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In this deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of a low BaSO4 content (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Documented resources of barite are estimated at 5.67 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

In a view of increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009*.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

*Sroga C., 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 122-127. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2015

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in well drilling. Its use in paper and chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in metallurgy (in steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industry.

In recently abandoned mine operations in Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in paragensis with fluorspar, so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. Mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year, that is in 1998, also the mining operations in the Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In that deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of low content of BaSO₄ (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.66 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

Taking into account the increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009*.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

*Sroga C., 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 122-127. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2014

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in well drilling. Its use in paper and chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in metallurgy (in steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industry.

In recently abandoned mine operations in the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in paragensis with fluorspar so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. Mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year, that is in 1998, also the mining operations in the Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from the Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In that deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of low content of BaSO₄ (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.66 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

In view of increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009⁽¹⁾.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

⁽¹⁾Sroga C., 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 122-127. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2013

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in well drilling. Its use in paper and chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in metallurgy (in steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industry.

In recently abandoned mine operations in the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in paragensis with fluorspar so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. Mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year, that is in 1998, also the mining operations in the Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from the Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In that deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of low content of BaSO₄ (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.66 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

In view of increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009⁽¹⁾.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

⁽¹⁾ C. Sroga, 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’ in ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicza, T. Smakowskiego, S. Speczika. PIG-PIB Warszawa.

2012

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in well drilling. Its use in paper and chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in metallurgy (in steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industry.

In recently abandoned mine operations in the Boguszów i Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in paragensis with fluorspar so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. Mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year, that is in 1998, also the mining operations in the Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from the Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In that deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of low content of BaSO₄ (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Anticipated economic resources of barite are estimated at 5.66 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

In view of increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009⁽¹⁾.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1 shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

⁽¹⁾ C. Sroga, 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’ w ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicza, T. Smakowskiego, S. Speczika. PIG-PIB Warszawa.

2011

Because of its high specific gravity, barite (BaSO₄) is currently used mainly as a weighting agent in well drilling. Its use in paper and chemical and paint industry is gradually shrinking at the advantage of artificially produced titanium white (titanium dioxide).

Fluorspar (CaF₂) is used as a flux in metallurgy (in steel production to aid the removal of impurities, and in production of aluminum) and in ceramics and chemical industry.

In recently abandoned mine operations in the Boguszów i Stanisławów deposits (Lower Silesia), barite occurs in paragensis with fluorspar so the deposits are discussed jointly here. Economic accumulations of barite also occur in the Holy Cross Mts.

In the Boguszów and Stanisławów deposits, barite accumulations are related to veins of various length and width, generally very steeply dipping and representing fissure fills along faults. Mean content of BaSO₄ in these veins is about 80 % and that of fluorite – from a few to over a dozen percent. It should be noted that content of fluorite generally increases along with depth.

The mine exploiting Boguszów deposit was completely flooded during catastrophic flood of July 1997. The mine was abandoned in result of that damage and the deposit reclassified as potentially economic only. The next year, that is in 1998, also the mining operations in the Stanisławów deposit were abandoned as insufficiently profitable.

Some decades ago, barite was also extracted from the Strawczynek deposit in the Holy Cross Mts. In that deposit, barite occurs in the form of irregular nests and intergrowths in carbonate rocks of the Lower Devonian. The mining operation was abandoned because of low content of BaSO₄ (about 30 %) and small resources of the deposit.

The whole domestic demand for barite and fluorspar is covered by import.

Indicated resources of barite are estimated at 5.66 million tonnes and those of fluorspar – at 0.54 million tonnes.

In view of increasing demand for barite there are plans to restart the exploitation of barite deposits (especially Stanisławów deposit). Prognostic resources of barite amounted to 2.5 million tonnes and perspective resources to 1.67 million tonnes as of 31.12.2009⁽¹⁾.

Location of barite and fluorspar deposits in Poland are presented on the map.

Table 1. shows the current state of identification and management of barite and fluorspar resources in Poland.

Table 1. Barite and fluorspar – million tonnes

Table 2. List of barite and fluorspar deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Robert Bońda

⁽¹⁾ C. Sroga, 2011 – ‘Baryt i fluoryt’ w ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicza, T. Smakowskiego, S. Speczika. PIG-PIB Warszawa.