Evidence of a high quality barite in Drâa-Tafilalet region, Morocco: a nonupgraded potential

With production exceeding 2/3 (between 2010 and 2016) of the national production of barite, drâa-tafilalet region is an outstanding mining region especially for this industrial mineral. however, the mining activity of the barite in the region suffer many problems and dysfunctions related to exploration, exploitation and treatment. this situation decreases the economic value for the barite. thus, strike and dip analysis of several vein deposits have been done; also, microscopic and chemical analysis were carried out. results indicates a high quality ore (mean density = 4.30 g/cm³, srso₄ = 2.35%, sio₂ = 2.04%, fe₂o₃ = 1.03% and low levels of clays and carbonates), that should be used in industries rather than petroleum drilling. many technical actions must be taken at the three stages of mining activity. three objectives aimed of this study: i) increase the participation of the barite mining activity in the regional and national economy ii) preservation of the potential of the region’s barite deposits iii) safeguard the region’s naturel landscape.