Fluorite Information

Fluorite, a mineral with a veritable bouquet of brilliant colours has earned the reputation of being “the most colourful mineral in the world”. Also termed as halide mineral (class that includes halide anion), fluorite mineral is composed of calcium fluoride. The word fluorite is derived from the Latin word fluo meaning “to flow”. The mineral is also considered to be the most popular mineral in the world next to quartz. The many colours of fluorite including purple, blue, yellow, green, pink, black and orange are truely wonderful. Colourless variety of fluorite is also found in the nature. Many a times alternatively termed as fluorspar, the mineral occurs in sedimentary rocks, pegmatites and hot spring areas.        

Exploration and Mining of Fluorite

Fluorite mining is long considered as the most economic leveraging activity of recent times as far as the fluorite mining industry is concerned. The activity is currently carried on in South Africa, Mexico, China, Mexico, Russia and various such countries. These countries have suitable geographical conditions and infrastructure and hence fluorite exploration is carried on a large scale here. Fluorite mining companies are also targeting these areas after realizing the vast potential of fluorite mining in these regions of the world. Recently after thorough research, fluorite mines in Mozambique have been discovered in two main generic types: hydrothermal veins and metasomatic occurance. The mineral also occurs in granular and massive forms. Today, exploration and mining of fluorite contributes to almost more then one fourth of the economy of these regions. Recent survey shows that the world fluorite consumption was as high as 80000 tonnes and the consumption value will grow in the coming years.                  

Fluorite: Industrial Applications      

Applications of fluorite are as under:

All these applications have made fluorite one of the most popular minerals available on the surface of the earth among the youngest and newest of mineral collectors. Fluorite is by far the most interesting and beautiful mineral available in the mineral market.