BARITE
Events, Trends, and Issues: Increasing exploration for natural gas in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming has fueled
increased demand for drilling mud and, consequently, barite. This demand has resulted in two developments—sales
of 4.1 specific gravity barite to extend reserves at existing mines in Nevada, and exploration in Montana and Nevada
of previously explored or mined barite deposits in order to initiate new mining operations.
Prices of ground barite for the oil and gas market remain high. Almost all barite consumed for drilling in the major U.S.
oil and gas producing regions (excluding the Rocky Mountain region) is supplied by imports from China and India.
Ocean freight rates remain high, and port congestion remains a problem in Chinese ports causing delays and higher
costs. Other factors have adversely affected barite prices, including higher prices for natural gas, which is used to dry
barite before grinding, and transportation problems ranging from poor barge availability to higher diesel prices (barges
are needed to transport barite from ships to grinding mills).
World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base: Reserves and reserve base estimates for the United States
were revised based on data from a recent paper presented by one of the major Nevada barite producers. Reserve
base estimate for Kazakhstan was revised based on a recent Russian Mining Journal article.
Mine production Reserves5 Reserve base5
2006 2007e
United States 589 540 15,000 45,000
Algeria 53 60 9,000 15,000
Brazil 50 50 2,100 5,000
Bulgaria 80 80 NA NA
China 4,400 4,400 62,000 360,000
France 30 — 2,000 2,500
Germany 90 85 1,000 1,500
India 950 1,000 53,000 80,000
Iran 290 250 NA NA
Kazakhstan 6120 6120 NA 150,000
Mexico 206 250 7,000 8,500
Morocco 350 600 10,000 11,000
Russia 63 65 2,000 3,000
Thailand 120 5 9,000 15,000
Turkey 180 160 4,000 20,000
United Kingdom 50 50 100 600
Vietnam 120 120 NA NA
Other countries 220 210 14,000 160,000
World total (rounded) 7,960 8,000 190,000 880,000
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