All fact sheets · The Strata Memo
Barite
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Photo Ivar Leidus. “Barite - Cerro Warihuyn, Miraflores, Huamalies, Huanuco, Peru.jpg.” CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons. File page
What it is
Barium sulfate.
“a mineral consisting of barium sulfate (BaSO4)”
Source: Wikipedia contributors, Baryte (composition line) (text as saved)
USGS 2025 critical mineral. Figures: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (public domain); sources are in the source register.
Where it is made: six stages
bottleneck made in the U.S. partly no U.S. activity no source yet
Where the sites are
MiningConcentratering = place only known to county or district
Most pins mark the centre of the place the source names for the site (a town, county or district), not the exact mine; U.S. sites from MSHA use MSHA's own coordinates for the mine. Hover for operator and outputs. Map outlines: Natural Earth (public domain); place lookup: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Overview
How much does the U.S. import?
of U.S. barite use was met by imports in 2025 (USGS net import reliance).
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Barite (February 2026)
Did you know?
In 1774 Swedish chemist Carl Scheele identified baryte as containing a new element, which became barium.
Checked against two independent sources. Verified 2026-10-26.
Sources: Wikipedia · Chemistry Explained (encyclopedia) (Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA)
How concentrated is supply?
71% of world production comes from three countries (India, China, Morocco). Highly concentrated.
Thirds of the bar: under 33%, 33 to 65%, 66% and over. Our own rule of thumb, not a USGS rating.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Barite (February 2026)
Supply
Who has it, and who digs it?
Where it is produced, 2025
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| India | 34% |
| China | 25% |
| Morocco | 11% |
| Kazakhstan | 8% |
| Iran | 3% |
| Mexico | 3% |
Where the reserves are
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| China | 30% |
| Iran | 25% |
| Kazakhstan | 21% |
| India | 13% |
| Turkey | 8% |
| Russia | 3% |
Share of the world total as printed by USGS (rounded). Production and reserves are different things: reserves are what is economic to mine. Hover or focus a bar for its value, or switch to the table view.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Barite (February 2026)
Where U.S. imports come from
Choose a data set, then a view. A country keeps the same color in every chart on this page. Grey means other countries, or a country beyond the seven colors (always labeled). Hover or focus a mark for its value, or use the table view.
- India39%
- China21%
- Morocco19%
- Mexico14%
- Other countries7%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| India | 39% | 39.0% |
| China | 21% | 21.0% |
| Morocco | 19% | 19.0% |
| Mexico | 14% | 14.0% |
| Other countries | 7% | 7.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of all forms, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Barite (February 2026)
- India23% · $52.1M
- Vietnam20% · $45.3M
- Mexico16% · $38.0M
- Morocco16% · $36.6M
- Laos14% · $33.2M
- China10% · $22.7M
- All other countries1% · $3.4M
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| India | 23% · $52.1M | 22.5% |
| Vietnam | 20% · $45.3M | 19.6% |
| Mexico | 16% · $38.0M | 16.4% |
| Morocco | 16% · $36.6M | 15.8% |
| Laos | 14% · $33.2M | 14.4% |
| China | 10% · $22.7M | 9.8% |
| All other countries | 1% · $3.4M | 1.5% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 2511; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Price
Price, average unit value, ground, ex-works, dollars per metric ton
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Barite (February 2026)
Trade and tariffs
Trade codes and tariffs
| HTS code | What it covers | Normal rate | Column 2 rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2511 | Natural barium sulfate (barytes); natural barium carbonate (witherite), whether or not calcined, other than barium oxide of heading 2816 | varies, $1.25/t; Free | varies, $3.94/t; $7.38/t; 30% |
Rates from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USITC, saved 2026-10-26). The normal rate is column 1 general; column 2 applies to countries without normal trade relations. A range means different products under the code have different rates. Section 232, Section 301, emergency tariffs and antidumping or countervailing duties are set in separate notices and are not shown. Look up any code at hts.usitc.gov. These are the main codes for this mineral, not a complete list.
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, general and column 2 rates (edition current when saved)
U.S. trade by country
U.S. imports in 2025 by source country, code 2511
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| India | 23% · $52.1M |
| Vietnam | 20% · $45.3M |
| Mexico | 16% · $38.0M |
| Morocco | 16% · $36.6M |
| Laos | 14% · $33.2M |
| China | 10% · $22.7M |
U.S. exports in 2025 by destination, code 2511
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Canada | 61% · $9.7M |
| Mexico | 29% · $4.7M |
| El Salvador | 4% · $703K |
| Thailand | 1% · $221K |
| Colombia | 1% · $186K |
| Trinidad And Tobago | 1% · $85K |
2511 Natural barium sulfate; nat barium carbonate nesoi
Top import sources India 23%, Vietnam 20%, Mexico 16%
Top export destinations Canada 61%, Mexico 29%, El Salvador 4%
U.S. Census Bureau International Trade API, saved 2026-10-26. Imports are general imports (customs value) and exports are total exports, in U.S. dollars. Duty collected is Census's calculated duty on imports for consumption. Figures cover every 10-digit product under the code, so they can include goods beyond this mineral, and the duty shown is not split into Section 232, Section 301 or antidumping duties. Bars show the largest code for each direction. Group rows such as the EU or OECD are left out so no country is counted twice.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports and exports by HS code and country (calendar 2025, and January to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Value chain and risk
Value chain: where the bottlenecks are
Mining
Three companies mined barite at four Nevada operations in 2025; production data were withheld as proprietary. (U.S. activity)
The source says
“In 2025, three companies mined barite at four operations in Nevada.”
“Mine production increased, but data were withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Barite (PDF page 52) (2026-02)
Ore processing and primary recovery
No sourced data yet.
Refining and separation
No sourced data yet.
Metal, alloy and chemical
Companies in nine States ground an estimated 2.3 million tons of barite from domestic production and imports; imports came from India (39%), China (21%) and Morocco (19%) in 2021-24. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“An estimated 2.3 million tons of barite (from domestic production and imports) was sold by companies that operated crushers and grinders in nine States.”
“India, 39%; China,6 21%; Morocco, 19%; Mexico, 14%; and other, 7%.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Barite (PDF page 52) (2026-02)
Components and end use
More than 90% of U.S. barite is used as a weighting agent in oil and gas drilling fluids. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“Typically, more than 90% of the barite sold in the United States is used as a weighting agent in fluids used in the drilling of oil and natural gas wells.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Barite (PDF page 52) (2026-02)
Recycling
USGS lists barite recycling as none. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Recycling: None.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Barite (PDF page 52) (2026-02)
Bottleneck = one country dominates the stage, or the U.S. relies on imports for it, as the quote shows. “No sourced data yet” is not “no problem”.
Who operates it, where, and what comes out
19 operators, 24 named sites.
MiningOre processing and primary recovery
Cimbar Resources, Inc
3 sites · United States
Sources
Dyersburg Plant
“Mine name: Dyersburg Plant | Operator: Cimbar Resources, Inc | State: TN | County: Dyer | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 12/18/2001 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 36.052222 | Longitude: -89.345278 | Mine ID: 4003183”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
New Iberia Plant
“Mine name: New Iberia Plant | Operator: Cimbar Resources, Inc | State: LA | County: Iberia | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 10/08/2003 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 29.945556 | Longitude: -91.836389 | Mine ID: 1601302”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Wellsville Facility
“Mine name: WELLSVILLE FACILITY | Operator: Cimbar Resources, Inc | State: OH | County: Columbiana | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 12/17/2024 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.591111 | Longitude: -80.6675 | Mine ID: 3304799”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
3 sites · United States
Sources
Rossi Jig Plant
“Mine name: Rossi Jig Plant | Operator: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | State: NV | County: Elko | Mine type: Surface | Status: Active | Status date: 11/29/2024 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.637222 | Longitude: -116.943333 | Mine ID: 2602239”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Dunphy Mill
“Mine name: DUNPHY MILL | Operator: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | State: NV | County: Eureka | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 12/06/2021 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.708611 | Longitude: -116.526667 | Mine ID: 2600412”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Lake Charles Grinding Plant
“Mine name: Lake Charles Grinding Plant | Operator: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | State: LA | County: Calcasieu | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 03/28/1983 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 30.197778 | Longitude: -93.304444 | Mine ID: 1601032”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
M-I Swaco- A Schlumberger Company
2 sites · United States
Sources
Greystone Mine
“Mine name: Greystone Mine | Operator: M-I Swaco- A Schlumberger Company | State: NV | County: Lander | Mine type: Surface | Status: Temporarily Idled | Status date: 04/01/2026 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.270556 | Longitude: -116.879722 | Mine ID: 2600411”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Battle Mountain Grinding Plant
“Mine name: Battle Mountain Grinding Plant | Operator: M-I Swaco- A Schlumberger Company | State: NV | County: Lander | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 04/21/1981 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.648611 | Longitude: -116.940833 | Mine ID: 2600828”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
ADO Industries Inc.
1 site · United States
Sources
Moundsville Plant
“Mine name: Moundsville Plant | Operator: ADO Industries Inc. | State: WV | County: Marshall | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 10/04/2023 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 39.834444 | Longitude: -80.820278 | Mine ID: 4609653”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
CIMBAR Resource Inc.
1 site · United States
Sources
CIMBAR Resources Inc.
“Mine name: CIMBAR Resources Inc. | Operator: CIMBAR Resource Inc. | State: TX | County: Nueces | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 04/06/1982 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 27.788611 | Longitude: -97.522778 | Mine ID: 4103112”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
CIMBAR Resources Inc
1 site · United States
Sources
Marietta Plant
“Mine name: Marietta Plant | Operator: CIMBAR Resources Inc | State: OH | County: Washington | Mine type: Surface | Status: Active | Status date: 04/19/2024 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 39.354167 | Longitude: -81.546667 | Mine ID: 3304798”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Cimbar Resources Inc.
1 site · United States
Sources
Houston Plant
“Mine name: Houston Plant | Operator: Cimbar Resources Inc. | State: TX | County: Harris | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 11/01/2012 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 29.752778 | Longitude: -95.185 | Mine ID: 4104038”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Cimbar Resources, Inc.
1 site · United States
Sources
Houston Plant
“Mine name: Houston Plant | Operator: Cimbar Resources, Inc. | State: TX | County: Harris | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 08/15/2007 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 29.761667 | Longitude: -95.141111 | Mine ID: 4104449”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Drilling Minerals Industries, LLC
1 site · United States
Sources
DMI Osino Barite Mill
“Mine name: DMI Osino Barite Mill | Operator: Drilling Minerals Industries, LLC | State: NV | County: Elko | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 10/17/2013 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.891944 | Longitude: -115.707222 | Mine ID: 2602724”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Halliburton Energy Services
1 site · United States
Sources
Corpus Christi Grinding Plant
“Mine name: CORPUS CHRISTI GRINDING PLANT | Operator: Halliburton Energy Services | State: TX | County: Nueces | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 06/01/1998 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 27.824167 | Longitude: -97.429167 | Mine ID: 4104010”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
1 site · United States
Sources
Larose Grinding Plant
“Mine name: Larose Grinding Plant | Operator: Halliburton Energy Services Inc | State: LA | County: Lafourche | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 11/08/2010 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 29.568611 | Longitude: -90.367222 | Mine ID: 1601504”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
M-I L L C
1 site · United States
Sources
Amelia Barite Plant
“Mine name: AMELIA BARITE PLANT | Operator: M-I L L C | State: LA | County: Assumption | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 02/12/1988 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 29.6575 | Longitude: -91.117778 | Mine ID: 1600825”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
M-I Swaco-A Schlumberger Company
1 site · United States
Sources
Mountain Springs Beneficiation Plant
“Mine name: Mountain Springs Beneficiation Plant | Operator: M-I Swaco-A Schlumberger Company | State: NV | County: Lander | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 08/11/2026 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 40.648611 | Longitude: -116.940833 | Mine ID: 2601390”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
N.A. Degerstrom
1 site · United States
Sources
Rossi Crusher
“Mine name: Rossi Crusher | Operator: N.A. Degerstrom | State: NV | County: Eureka | Mine type: Surface | Status: Active | Status date: 12/13/2021 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 41.074167 | Longitude: -116.425278 | Mine ID: 2602735”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
New Riverside Ochre Company Incorporated
1 site · United States
Sources
New Riverside Ochre Company Incorporated
“Mine name: New Riverside Ochre Company Incorporated | Operator: New Riverside Ochre Company Incorporated | State: GA | County: Bartow | Mine type: Surface | Status: Active | Status date: 07/04/1976 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 34.159167 | Longitude: -84.769722 | Mine ID: 0900245”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Progressive Contracting Inc
1 site · United States
Sources
Portable #2
“Mine name: Portable #2 | Operator: Progressive Contracting Inc | State: NV | County: Elko | Mine type: Surface | Status: Intermittent | Status date: 11/26/2024 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 37.040833 | Longitude: -113.325278 | Mine ID: 4202085”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Rock Fin Minerals
1 site · United States
Sources
Monahans Facility
“Mine name: Monahans Facility | Operator: Rock Fin Minerals | State: TX | County: Ward | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 02/23/2026 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 31.612778 | Longitude: -102.811111 | Mine ID: 4105753”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Superior Weighting Products LLC
1 site · United States
Sources
Corpus Processing Facility
“Mine name: Corpus Processing Facility | Operator: Superior Weighting Products LLC | State: TX | County: Nueces | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 04/02/2016 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 27.828611 | Longitude: -97.393611 | Mine ID: 4105175”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Valence Drilling Fluids Holdings, LLC
1 site · United States
Sources
Baramin US, LLC
“Mine name: Baramin US, LLC | Operator: Valence Drilling Fluids Holdings, LLC | State: LA | County: St Mary | Mine type: Facility | Status: Active | Status date: 04/16/2020 | Primary commodity: Barite Barium Ore | Latitude: 29.692222 | Longitude: -91.208333 | Mine ID: 1601357”
Source: MSHA Open Government Data, Mines (2026-10-30)
Not a complete register: a missing name means not yet sourced. Outputs are products named in the checked quote; the source page may list more.
Policy and funding
Federal awards already made
Board of Regents of Nevada System of Higher Education · Department of the Interior · $444.1K obligated · started 2025-09-01
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
University of Kentucky Research Foundation, The · Department of the Interior · $50.4K obligated · started 2023-08-01
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
The 2 largest of 2 AI-tagged awards from USAspending (last 12 months, found by keyword; some are only loosely about this mineral). See all awards for Barite.
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, USAspending.gov: spending by award (contracts and grants, last 12 months) (award start dates per item)
Data tables
Barite: USGS tables
United States
| Measure | Unit | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net import relianceas a percentage of apparent consumption | percent | >75 | >75 |
| Production: Sold or used, mine | thousand metric tons | W | W |
| Production: Ground and crushed | thousand metric tons | 2,280 | 2,300 |
| Imports: For consumption | thousand metric tons | 1,880 | 2,300 |
| Imports: General | thousand metric tons | 1,810 | 1,700 |
| Exports | thousand metric tons | 65 | 67 |
| Consumption, apparent (crude and ground) | thousand metric tons | W | W |
| Price, average unit value, ground, ex-works, dollars per metric ton | dollars per metric ton | 210 | 210 |
| Employment, mine and mill, number | number | 400 | 400 |
World production (thousand metric tons; top 6 of 11, plus other countries)
| Country | 2024 | 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2,600 | 3,000 | 34% |
| China | 2,100 | 2,200 | 25% |
| Morocco | 930 | 1,000 | 11% |
| Kazakhstan | 650 | 700 | 8% |
| Iran | 300 | 300 | 3% |
| Mexico | 244 | 300 | 3% |
| Other countries | 340 | 350 | 4% |
World total 2025: 8,700 thousand metric tons (as printed by USGS, rounded).
World reserves (thousand metric tons; top 6 of 11, plus other countries)
| Country | 2025 |
|---|---|
| China | 120,000 |
| Iran | 100,000 |
| Kazakhstan | 85,000 |
| India | 51,000 |
| Turkey | 34,000 |
| Russia | 12,000 |
| Other countries | NA |
U.S. import sources: All (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| India | 39 |
| China | 21 |
| Morocco | 19 |
| Mexico | 14 |
| Other countries | 7 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Barite (February 2026)