Metallurgical Fluorspar (Metspar)
Origin: Kandahar, Afghanistan & Pakistan
CaF₂: 70–85% | Effective-CaF₂ Basis | Steel Flux & Ferrochrome
Available grades & specifications+
Metspar 70–85% CaF₂
CaF₂: 70–85%, SiO₂ < 5%, effective CaF₂ quoted per lot
Steel flux, Ferrochrome, Iron smelting
Grade comparison +
| Property | Metallurgical (Metspar) | Ceramic Grade | Cement Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| CaF₂ Content | 70–85% | 85–95% | 35–60% |
| SiO₂ | < 5% (drives effective CaF₂) | Low (controlled) | < 15% |
| Commercial Basis | Effective CaF₂ = CaF₂ − 2.5 × SiO₂ | CaF₂ + Fe₂O₃ control | CaF₂ on a delivered basis |
| Primary Use | Steel flux, Ferrochrome, Iron smelting | Glass, Enamel, Frits | Clinker mineralizer, Foundry flux |
| HS Code | 2529.21 | 2529.21 | 2529.21 |
Origin & supply chain +
Sourced from Kandahar, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Metspar lots come from Bare Syndicate's 62 km² fluorspar lease in Kandahar province — vein-hosted fluorite mapped by Soviet-era and modern surveys — supplemented by Pakistani partner operations. Material is crushed and sized at origin, road-hauled via the Spin Boldak corridor, and consolidated at Karachi for bulk or containerised export. Every lot carries an SGS assay quoting CaF₂, SiO₂, and the computed effective grade, with Certificate of Origin documentation under the SAFTA and APTA frameworks for buyers in the GCC, India, Bangladesh, and East Africa.
FAQ +
What is metallurgical-grade fluorspar (metspar) used for?
Metspar (CaF₂ 70–85%) is used as a slag flux in steelmaking, ferrochrome production, and iron smelting — it thins slag and improves furnace practice. It is the workhorse commercial grade below ceramic (85–95%) and acid grade (97%+).
What does 'effective CaF₂' mean on a metspar assay?
Effective CaF₂ = CaF₂ − 2.5 × SiO₂. Because silica consumes flux value in the slag, metspar is bought and sold on this corrected figure — the common commercial tiers quote 75%, 80%, or 85% effective — not on the raw CaF₂ number alone.
Can metspar be used to make hydrofluoric acid?
No. HF production requires acid-grade fluorspar at 97%+ CaF₂ with ultra-low impurities — metspar's SiO₂ content poisons HF production. The two grades serve entirely different buyers, which is also why metspar typically trades at a 40–60% discount to acidspar on a CaF₂ basis.
Which HS code covers metspar?
HS 2529.21 covers fluorspar containing 97% or less CaF₂ — which includes metallurgical, ceramic, and cement grades. Acid-grade fluorspar above 97% CaF₂ ships under HS 2529.22. Quoting the right code matters for duty treatment and customs clearance.
How is metspar priced?
There is no exchange contract; the published references are the Fastmarkets IM metspar assessments (85% effective CIF US Gulf, and FOB China), alongside direct term contracts. Always specify the effective-CaF₂ tier and freight basis when comparing quotes — contact us for an indication against the current assessment.