1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

Chemical treatment or mechanical processes that improve a mineral or ore for its designed use. For example, barite and bentonite clay minerals are beneficiated in order to help them meet certain specifications for use in drilling fluids.

Reference: Garrett RL: "Quality Requirements for Industrial Minerals Used in Drilling Fluids," Mining Engineering 39, no. 11 (November 1987): 1011-1016.

Synonyms: beneficiate

See: acrylamide acrylate polymer,  API,  bentonite,  clay extender,  ion exchange,  peptized clay,  PHPA mud