Barite (BaSO₄) is a mineral composed of barium sulfate. It is a heavy, non-metallic mineral with a high specific gravity of 4.1 or greater. It is commonly found in the form of a white, gray, or blue powder, and is often used as a weighting agent in drilling muds, as well as in other industrial applications.

Barite is used as a weighting agent in drilling muds because it has a high specific gravity and can increase the density of the mud, making it more effective at preventing the blowout of oil and gas wells. It is also used to stabilize the walls of the borehole.

In addition to drilling muds, barite is also used in the manufacturing of paint, plastics, rubber, and as a filler in paper and textiles.

In the medical field, Barite is used as a contrast agent for X-ray and CT scans, it is also used as a radiation shielding material.

Barite is also used in the production of glass and ceramics, as well as in the construction industry as a building material and a aggregate in concrete.