Fluorspar is a basic raw material used in the chemical, metallurgical, and ceramic industries. This handbook describes the occurrence, grades, geology, uses, and prospects for development of fluorspar in Texas.

Lignite or low-rank coal is a major energy resource in Texas, providing energy since 1850. Prior to 1930, and the advent of abundant natural gas and oil, lignite was a major energy source. Today it is again assuming a substantial role in energy generation with the operation or scheduled construction by 1980 of lignite-fueled, steam-electric plants (up to 1500-megawatt capacities) near Alcoa, Fairfield, Athens, Mt. Pleasant, and Tatum. Future utilization of Texas lignite is likely in the production of synthetic gases, liquid fuels, and chemical feed stocks.

Coal is found in six areas in Texas, including the large North-Central Texas field, a distinctive cannel coalfield in Webb County, and Late Cretaceous-age coals near Eagle Pass. Throughout the state coal occurs in thin beds (rarely more than 3 ft thick) under overburden of varying thickness and degrees of consolidation and is generally high-volatile C bituminous coal.

Lower Cretaceous shallow-water carbonates accumulated on a broad shelf which completely encircled the Gulf of Mexico. Biogenic growth climaxed along the basinward edge, or shelf margin, where a complex of reefs, banks, bars, and islands developed. The sediments reached a total thickness of 2,000 to 2,500 feet; numerous deep wells ranging in total depth from 11,000 to 20,000 feet have resulted in the discovery of a few marginally productive gas fields.