Name of mineral :Fluorspar

Chemical Formula :CaF₂

Fluorspar is the commercial name that refers to crude or beneficiated material that is mined and (or) milled from the mineral fluorite (calcium fluoride, CaF2).

Metspar and Acidspar: Most of the fluorspar consumed and traded is either acid grade (also called acidspar), which is more than 97% CaF2, or subacid grade (including ceramic and metallurgical grade), which is less than or equal to 97% CaF2 and is commonly called metspar.

Fluorspar is also referred to as Fluorite. Fluorite is found disseminated in the granite, the basic rock and with appreciable concentration in the quartz vein and vein quartz with chert.

Industrial Uses -

Globally, there are three leading fluorspar-consuming industries and one minor industry.

1. The manufacture of hydrofluoric acid (HF), the leading source of fluorine in industrial applications and a precursor to the production of most other fluorine-containing chemicals, accounts for approximately 40% of annual global fluorspar consumption. These applications typically require acid-grade fluorspar.

HF is used in the manufacture of a host of fluorine chemicals used in dielectrics, metallurgy, wood preservatives, herbicides, mouthwashes, decay-preventing dentifrices, plastics and water fluoridation.

HF is used in the manufacture of uranium tetra fluoride required to make nuclear fuel and fission explosives. It is also used in stainless pickling, petroleum alkylation, glass etching, oil & gas well treatment and as etcher/cleaner in electronic industry.

2. The manufacture of aluminum fluoride (AlF3) and cryolite (Na3AlF6) essential for primary aluminum smelting, accounts for approximately 18% of annual global fluorspar consumption. These applications typically require acid-grade fluorspar.

3. Fluorspar used as a steelmaking flux accounts for approximately 30% of global consumption. Metallurgical grade fluorite is used primarily as fluxing agent by steel industry. It is added to slag to make it more reactive through increased fluidity. Fluorite of different grades is used in the manufacture of aluminium, cement and glass fibres. It is also used in the melt shop by foundry industry.

4. Other applications of fluorspar include use in the manufacture of cement, ceramics, enamel, glass, and welding rod coatings.

Fluorspar Deposits Locations -

State : Chhattisgarh

District : Rajnandgaon

Village : Chandi Dongari

Taluka : Rajnandgaon