Fluorite

More than 300 occurrences or deposits of fluorite (calcium fluoride, CaF2) have been recorded in Canada; however, deposits of economic significance are confined largely to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. There is only one producer at present, Minworth Ltd., with a mine and concentrator near St. Lawrence on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland. Fluorite occurs in the form of vein, replacement and residual deposits; vein deposits predominate and form the chief source of commercial fluorite. Although some deposits are relatively high grade, most require beneficiation. Beneficiation commonly includes gravity separation, e.g., jigging and tabling, magnetic separation and flotation. Fluorite has important uses in the chemical, metallurgical and ceramic industries, and is produced in three grades acid, metallurgical and ceramic to supply industry requirements. Fluorite has been the subject of many laboratory studies by CANMET and other organizations. This report references 31 fluorite studies by CANMET and nine by others. Summaries of the most important CANMET studies are presented in the Appendix.