The outlook for barite production in British Columbia
CIM Bulletin, Vol. 75, No. 845, 1982
L. NUTTER and J. CLANCY Mineral Economics Branch, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Victoria, British Columbia
Barite is used extensively by the oil and gas well-drilling industry as a weighting agent. It is particularly well suited for drilling mud because of its qualities; it is non-abrasive, heavy, virtually inert chemically, easy to handle and inexpensive compared to other available heavy materials. Increased deep well drilling in Western Canada, and especially in the Arctic regions, could dramatically affect the demand for barite through this decade. Known deposits in northeast British Columbia are possible sources of incremental barite supplies, should the situation develop.
Mots Clés:
Industrial minerals, Barite, British Columbia, Drilling muds, Mineral King property, Brisco property, Silver Giant Mine, Imports.
