Barite is a mineral composed of barium sulfate and it is usually colorless or milky white, but sometimes it can also be almost any color, according to the impurities trapped in the crystals in the process of their formation. Barites is relatively soft and unusually heavy for a non-metallic mineral. Its high density is the reason for its value in many applications. Barite is chemically inert and insoluble.

 Barite is mainly mined from layers of sedimentary rock formed at the time when it precipitated onto the ocean bottom. Smaller mines often utilize barite from veins formed when barium sulfate was precipitated from hot subterranean waters. Sometimes barite can be a by-product of mining lead, zinc, silver, or other metal ores.

To date, the principal use for barite is as a weighting agent in oil and natural gas drilling. Barites is crushed and mixed with water and other materials and then pumped into the drill hole. The weight of this mixture counteracts the force of the oil and gas by the time it is released from the ground which allows oil and gas rig operators to prevent the explosive release of the oil and gas. Currently, the majority of barite consumption is for this drilling application. However, the consumption in drilling mud fluctuates from year to year, as it depends on the amount of exploration drilling for oil and gas, which in turn depends on oil and gas prices.

 Apart from this, barite is also used as an additive to paints, enamels, and plastics, in the production of lead crystal or leaded glass to stop radiation from computer monitors and television tubes, and as the source of barium chemicals.

Barites has the unique ability to strongly absorb X-rays and gamma rays. Therefore, it is used in medical science for special X-ray tests on the intestines and colon. It is also mixed with cement to make special containers used to store radioactive materials. A more recent application of barite is in the production of brake pads and clutches for cars and trucks.