What is Boron?

High-tech and low tech, boron's on the rise. But can you get access? Read full article - Boron: From Fishing Rods To Flares (PDF, 652k)

• Boron is a critically important industrial mineral. World production of boron minerals reached an estimated 4.35 million metric tons in 2010.



• Consumption of borates used in high-technical applications is expected to increase by 10% in North America and 13% in Europe by 2012. China is the largest consumer of boron, where consumption has risen by 15 percent per year from 2000 to 2010.
• Borate minerals and refined borate products are used extensively worldwide in the manufacture of vitreous products such as fiberglass insulation, textile fiberglass, borosilicate glass (e.g. LCD screens), ceramic glazes and porcelain enamels. These applications account for approximately 60 per cent of borate consumption, with detergents, fire retardants, metallurgy, agriculture, insecticides, wood preservatives and specialty products accounting for the remainder.

Source: US Geological Survey, Report on Boron - 2010 (with 2011 update).

• Market prices reflect the relative scarcity of borates with prices averaging: US$690-$730/tonne for colemanite concentrate (40% B2O3); $666-$697/tonne for ulexite (40% B2O3); $1250-$1309/tonne for boric acid; and US$50/kg for anhydrous borax.

Source Industrial Minerals Online. June 2011