What is Fluorspar?

Fluorspar is the commercial name for the mineral calcium fluoride (CaF2). It occurs in both crystal and sedimentary forms and is commercially produced from deposits around the world. Chemically, it is a colorless or white mineral composed of calcium, fluorine and oxygen. Crystalline fluorspar tends to be deep blue, green or yellow in color.

Major Uses

Fluoride Acid Manufacturing
More than 50% of mined fluorspar is used in the production of hydrofluoric acid and its related products. Fluorspar acid is primarily used as a catalyst in the petroleum refining process to increase the octane rating of gasoline. It is also used in the production of polymers, plastics, refrigerants and other fluorine chemicals.

Aluminum Production
Approximately 25% of mined is used in aluminum production. During the electrolytic process of smelting aluminum, it is added to the mix to lower the melting point of cryolite which is used to dissolve alumina. This allows aluminum to be extracted at a lower temperature saving energy in the smelting process.

Steelmaking
It is added to steel production as a fluxing agent to eliminate impurities and promotes the separation of slag. As little as 1-2% of it by weight helps produce high-quality steel efficiently. Its use reduces melting costs and improves surface finish and machinability of steel. Approximately 10-15% of global production is used in steelmaking.

Other Industrial Uses
Other minor industrial uses of it include the production of ceramics, specialty glasses, refrigerants, optical lenses, dental fillings and other chemicals. Its unique properties as a flux also make it useful mineral for nonferrous metal smelting of metals like copper and lead. Its dry milling properties are useful in the production of paints, enamels and similar products.

Major Producers Consumers
The five largest world producers of it are China, Mexico, Mongolia, South Africa and Hungary. These countries account for over 75% of total global production. As for consumption, China is by far the largest consumer using half of global supply and more than its domestic production due to large aluminum industry demands. Other major consumer countries include Mexico, Russia, South Korea and Germany.

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