Mining & Supply Chain Leadership
Global Production Powerhouse
Rio Tinto, through its wholly owned subsidiary U.S. Borax, operates one of the world’s largest borate deposits the Boron Mine in California’s Mojave Desert. This open-pit mine is not just the largest in North America but a critical global supplier, producing roughly 30% of the world’s refined borates.
The Boron mine’s processing facilities transform raw ore into refined borate products, including sodium tetraborate pentahydrate (Neobor®) and sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Borax®), which are shipped worldwide. Its vertically integrated supply chain from extraction to global distribution ensures consistent quality, traceability, and market stability.
Quality & Purity Standards
U.S. Borax is renowned for maintaining 99.9% pure borates, with stringent impurity controls. This is essential for high-tech manufacturing and agriculture, where even trace contaminants can affect performance.
High-Tech and Everyday Applications
1. Electronics & Specialty Glass
Borates from U.S. Borax are critical to manufacturing tough, heat-resistant glass used in:
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Smartphones, tablets, and laptops – where borosilicate glass must resist thermal shock and mechanical stress.
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LCD and OLED displays – borates enhance optical clarity and maintain structural integrity at high processing temperatures.
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Solar panels – borates stabilize glass to withstand UV exposure and thermal cycling in harsh environments.
2. Agriculture & Crop Health
Boron is a micronutrient vital for plant growth, yet boron deficiencies are common in many soils worldwide. U.S. Borax offers specialized fertilizers including:
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Solubor® DF – a highly soluble form for foliar sprays or fertigation, delivering rapid boron uptake.
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Optibor® – a versatile product used in dry blends and direct soil application.
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Fertibor® – granular boron supplement for slow-release nutrient delivery.
Agronomic Benefits:
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Enhanced flowering and fruit set
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Improved pollen viability
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Strengthened cell wall formation, reducing cracking and disease susceptibility
These benefits translate into higher crop yields and quality in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and oilseeds.
Industrial Functionality of Sodium Tetraborate (Neobor®)
U.S. Borax’s Neobor® is a refined sodium tetraborate pentahydrate designed for consistent performance in industrial formulations:
1. Glass Manufacturing
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Insulation fiberglass – improves fiber formation, melt viscosity, and reduces melting temperature, lowering energy costs.
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Borosilicate glass – adds thermal shock resistance for laboratory glassware, cookware, and lighting.
2. Ceramic Glazes
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Enhances scratch resistance and surface hardness.
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Improves thermal expansion compatibility between glaze and ceramic body, preventing cracking.
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Produces vibrant, durable finishes in tiles, tableware, and decorative ceramics.
3. Flame Retardancy
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Acts as a char promoter in cellulosic materials like wood, paper, and textiles.
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Reduces flammability by releasing water during decomposition, cooling the material surface.
4. Corrosion Inhibition
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Used in automotive coolants, metalworking fluids, and closed-loop water systems to prevent metal oxidation and pitting.
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Forms a protective borate film on metal surfaces.
5. Adhesives & Binders
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Improves tack and green strength in starch-based adhesives for corrugated board and paper products.
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Provides better workability and bonding performance.
6. Industrial Soaps & Detergents
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Functions as a pH buffer to stabilize formulations.
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Enhances cleaning efficiency by softening water and emulsifying oils.
Strategic Market Position
By integrating mining, refining, R&D, and application engineering, Rio Tinto / U.S. Borax ensures:
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Global supply reliability (critical for industries with just-in-time manufacturing).
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Technical support for end-users in agriculture, glass, ceramics, and chemicals.
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Innovation in specialty borates, targeting emerging markets like electric vehicle batteries, solar energy, and sustainable agriculture.
Summary Insight
Rio Tinto’s U.S. Borax is more than a commodity supplier—it is an innovation partner across multiple sectors. Sodium tetraborate, in its refined forms, is applied in:
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Electronics – as a performance enhancer in glass and displays.
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Agriculture – as a micronutrient to boost crop yields.
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Industrial Processes – for thermal, chemical, and mechanical performance improvements.
The company’s 30% global market share, combined with consistent product quality and diverse application expertise, cements its leadership in the sodium tetraborate market.