USGS MRP Coloring Page Barite

USGS Mineral Resources Program coloring page for the critical mineral barite.

Barite, chemical formula BaSO₄, is a critical mineral. Fun fact: barite is one of the heaviest minerals that isn't a metal.

Barite is used to make fluids for drilling oil and gas wells denser. It is also used to help make internal organs show up during medical imaging. Barite is also put in paints, plastics, paper and rubber as a filler.

Picture on the coloring page is a cluster of barite crystals held in the palm of a hand. These clusters are called "barite roses".

For more information:

[1] About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals | U.S. Geological Survey

[2] mcs2025.pdf - Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025