Barite or baryte is major ore of barium. It has a high specific gravity for a light coloured mineral and is a common gangue mineral in hydrothermal veins or as a replacement mineral in veins of limestone and dolomite. It is associated with lead, silver and antimonysulphides. It has the formulae BaSO4 and a relative hardness of 3. It was the first mineral to be found to be luminescent when heated, and led to the discovery of the luminescence of minerals. It is used as an ore of barium, for refining sugar, in the paper industry and as a pigment. Research Barite
Bologna stone is radiated barite, or barium sulphate, found in roundish masses composed of radiating fibres. It was first discovered near Bologna, and hence its name. It is phosphorescent when calcined (heated and powdered). Research Bologna Stone
Manganite is a strongly magnetic ore of manganese seldom found in commercial quantities. It is often found in veins associated with granitic igneous rocks. It alters to pyrolusite. Barite and calcite are frequent associates. Research Manganite
Strontianite is a natural source of strontium, named after Strontian in Argyleshire where it was discivered in 1792 by Hope. Physically it is similar to cerussite and witherite. It is associated with barite, celestite, and calcite in veins in limestone. Occasionally it is found in igneous rocks and as a gangue mineral in sulphide veins. It has the formulae SrCO3 and a relative hardness of 4. Research Strontianite
The Republic of Ireland is a country and island west of Wales. It has a total area of 70,280 km2. The climate is temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current with mild winters, and cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time. The terrain is mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Natural resources are zinc, lead, natural gas, crude oil, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver. The religion is 94% Roman Catholic, 4% Anglican, 2% other. The language is Irish (Gaelic) and English; English is the language generally used, with Gaelic spoken in a few areas, mostly along the western seaboard. Ireland was first invaded by the British in 1167 who embarked on a policy of confiscation of Irish lands and creation of plantations. In 1916 a revolution occurred overthrowing the British invaders who had occupied the country for so long, and a republic was declared, being finally recognised in 1921 though the British retained control of a small part of contested northern Ireland. Research Ireland
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Barite
