BORON MINING
Sourcing, extraction and mining of Boron is a complicated affair requiring huge investment for this criticial mineral. Learn how the industry players are shaping the future of boron supplies
Boron Minerals
Boron minerals are found in the Earth's crust; its various forms come from different geological structures, such as pegmatite and metamorphic rocks. The most common boron minerals include Tincal, Tincalconite, Colemanite, Kernite, Ulexite, Pandermite, Boracite, Hydroboracite, Inderite, Ascharite, Datolite, Sassolite, Meyerhofferite, Inyoite, and Probertite.
The Boron Value Chain
Borates are boron containing compounds that offer many benefits to industries like construction, electronics, and water treatment. They are also useful in food processing and agriculture as a fertilizer or pesticide. There is scope to explore the value chain of borates from extraction to distribution. What does it take to create/enhance the value of borate products in different markets and applications?
Boric Acid Companies
The boric acid market is fragmented with the presence of numerous players. These vendors compete based on R&D, quality, price, innovations, marketing strategies, market expansion, investments, and distribution networks. Some vendors have high investment capabilities, and they constantly focus on increasing their production capacities. Although the increase in demand from developing countries will offer immense growth opportunities, the threat of substitutes will challenge the growth of the market participants.
Lithium Miners Update for January 2023
January marked a thrilling start to the year for Lithium Miners, as investors eagerly sought out these companies in anticipation of exciting opportunities.
European Critical Mineral Strategy for Boron
The European Commission has a solid policy on a raw materials initiative for access to critical minerals such as Boron. Going back to 2008 the initiative was based on three pillars: a fair supply from global markets; sustainable collection; and recycling resources.
Podcast – Novel Applications in BNNTs
Today, we're going to look at novel applications using boron nitride nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotubes, or BNNTs, are mechanically and structurally identical to carbon nanotubes. BNNTs, however, have unique properties that are electrically insulating as well as transparent because of the polarized boron nitride bond.
Lithium Miner Ioneer To Receive $700m from DOE
Ioneer, a lithium mining company, has secured a remarkable $700 million investment from the U.S Department of Energy to develop their Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project.
Podcast – Boron and U.S. Rare Earths
Podcast - Today, we're going to take a look at boron and US rare earths and the stockpiling policy. The US is boosting the stockpile of its rare earth materials, such as cobalt and lithium. But why is this? The answer is partly to reduce dependence on China and partly to have a strategic policy towards rare earth sourcing and distribution.
Boron and Precious Minerals, Diamonds, Platinum and Gold
Boron is widely found and used in precious minerals around the earth. Borates have a wealth of uses in metallurgy and precious mineral refinement.
Decarbonization: Implications on different Sectors
Decarbonization, Boron and Mining The mining and metal industry is one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world, generating a sizable percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. How quickly has decarbonization been going on in the mining and metal...
American Pacific Borates (ABR) John Mitchell
n an ambitious move to drive its US listing process, the American Pacific Borates Limited (ASX:ABR) (“ABR” or the “Company”) has brought on board industrial minerals’-exponent John Mitchell as the chairman of its newly constituted Advisory Board. Tim Johnston and Govind Arora are the other appointees of the three-member Advisory Board.
Underground Mining Pursuit: Hard Rock Mining
Underground mining is a practice that delves deep for precious metals, gems and other valuable minerals. Hard rock mining venture to extract minerals from hard ore or sedimentary rocks.
FEAM Announces Its Strategic Plan
FEAM (5E Advanced Materials, Inc.) is delighted to present a status report on the implementation and operation of its strategic planning.
Borates and Boron Mining
Everything You Need To Know About Borate and Boron Mining It was named for the mineral borax, thought to come from the Persian name burah for that mineral. There are over 200 minerals that contain boron, but only a few such as colemanite and borax are commercially...
Company Profile of Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a major player in Boron mining. The company has been around for more than 100 years. And now it employs more than 60,000 people across the globe. In this blog post, we will take a look at Rio Tinto’s role in Boron mining and where they are located.
Rio Tinto – Jadar Valley Lithium Project Suspended
Rio Tinto has found itself in the news again after its lithium project in Jadar, Serbia, was suspended after protests by the local community in Serbia. The backlash does not bode well for mining companies looking to open mines in response to a growing demand for minerals such as lithium that are fuelling advanced energy growth in multiple business sectors, including automotive, defence, aerospace.
Critical Mineral Boron in the Mojave Desert
Critical mineral boron is used in various applications, from agriculture to nuclear power. It's also one of the few minerals we don't have enough. As with other strategic minerals, obtaining a license for production is hard given the environmental impact on the land.
Billion Dollar Boron
Billion dollar boron. In 2021, borates sales hit billions of dollars. Why? The demand for boron is increasing rapidly in strategic sectors such as aerospace and defense, zero-carbon, and advanced energy solutions, which depend on boron-based technologies to reduce emissions. Recent forecasts predict that boron demand will increase by 30% by the end of the decade.
The Threat of a Boron Market Shortage
The world market for boron si facing a shortage due to rising demand. Boron is a strategic material globally, and demand is projected to grow significantly due to its use in multiple industries and applications, from advanced energy to decarbonization and food security.
Country Profile of China
Country Profile of China Borates - China is a net importer of borates with few natural resources. However, it still dominates in exporting finished products to global markets as the third-largest exporter. China holds only 3% of global borate reserves. China's most crucial boron minerals are tincal, borosilicate, and ascharite. Liaoning and Qinghai are the main areas with minable borate resources.
Boron: New Suppliers Ramp up for Production
Boron, number 5 on the periodic table, finds its essential role in decarbonization and electric vehicles. It also plays a vital role in reaching safer climate targets.
Lithium Reserves Discovered In India
As lithium moves from powering batteries to revolutionizing technology, countries possessing a strategic reserve of lithium will be poised for a successful journey into the future.
FEAM (5E Advanced Materials) Announces New Board Members
5E Advanced Materials (NASDAQ: FEAM) is delighted to welcome three non-executive board members and looks forward to working with them from October 25, 2022.
5e Advanced Materials Lists on Nasdaq
5e Advanced Materials Lists on Nasdaq: The arrival of FEAM - 5e Advanced Materials - on Nasdaq today is potentially a game-changer for Boron and strategic mineral supplies not only in the USA but also globally. Boron is needed for green energy and strategic applications in aerospace and defense as well as in large markets for (borosiliate) glass, ceramics, enamels, steel in automobile. How will FEAM build out its business and facility?
Uncovering Decarbonization Opportunities In The Mining Industry
The mining sector has a key role in the transition to net-zero emissions. Although it currently accounts for just 4-7% of global emissions, it is one of the most energy-intensive industries, and its products are used in a wide range of other sectors.
Company Profile of Li-S Energy Limited – Boron Battery
Li-S Energy Limited, established in 2019, is an Australian company, a joint venture between Li-S Energy's founding shareholders, PPK Group, BNNT Technology, and Deakin University. Its purpose is to develop a new battery technology that incorporates Boron Nitride Nanotubes, which are more efficient, lower cost, and greener than current batteries for markets including automotive, defense and aviation.
Rio Tinto: Outlook for the Jadar lithium Project
Rio Tinto is keen to reopen discussions with the Serbian government about the future of its $2.4 billion Jadar lithium project, which was on hold ahead of election.
Balancing Habitat versus Critical Mineral Mining
Balancing Habitat versus Critical Mineral Mining: Lithium and boron are two examples of crucial minerals essential in reducing our planet's carbon footprint for industries such as defense, automotive, construction, aviation, and aerospace. It is challenging to preserve the natural environment when starting new mines to extract these resources. How do companies such as Rio Tinto, American Pacific Borates (currently rebranding to 5E Advanced Materials), and Ioneer manage this dilemma and obtain the permits necessary in their respective locations?
California With The Hidden Gem Boron
California is home to some of the world's richest deposits of boron thanks largely to its naturally occurring colemanite and ulexite minerals.
Boron Blue Diamonds
Boron blue diamonds - Diamonds are valued for their lustre and sparkle, making them precious commodities. Creating the beautiful diamond jewels that people adore as betrothal or pure indulgence symbols is a complex and lengthy process. Some diamonds are rarer than others. Believe it or not, Boron is the trace element that gives some rare diamonds a blue colour - the story of the Hope diamond is one such beneficiary of Boron's colour.
Valjevo Project and Sustainable Boron, Lithium Mining
Sustainable Boron and Lithium mining: Borates and lithium are essential for decarbonisation, advanced energy, and food security. The extraction and production of these critical minerals need to respect sustainable principles to satisfy multiple stakeholders, local interest groups, and residents. A case in point is Valjevo in Serbia, where locals have successfully halted the Valjevo project until February 2022 until officials are satisfied sustainable practices will be put in place.
FEAM Collaborates With Estes Energetics
FEAM and Estes Energetics have signed an LOI to develop cutting-edge boron-based components for solid rocket motors. FEAM has also achieved initial production milestones.
Critical Minerals Crushed
Many critical minerals shares have been hit hard in recent months as the prices of these commodities have declined sharply. While the overall market has seen sharp declines, shares of companies involved in the mining and production of these critical minerals have been hit even harder.
Boron Mining Processes
Boron Mining Processes: Boron is an element that naturally occurs in nature. Borates mining producers extract boron and borates from boron-containing minerals such as colemanite, ulexite, tincal, and kernite. The bulk of known borates deposits are found in Turkey. The USA is the second largest producer. Other regions include Argentina, Chile, Russia, China, and Peru. Commercially, boron mining is attracting attention due to its strategic importance in aerospace and defence as well as in green energy and advanced energy, helped by certain boron compounds.
Podcast – Introduction to Boron Mining
Podcast - Introduction to Boron Mining. Boron was named after the mineral borax, thought to come from the Persian name burah for the mineral. There are over 200 minerals that contain boron, but only a few minerals such as colemanite and borax are commercially important.
Sodalite with boron: The Crystal of Communication
Sodalite is a tectosilicate mineral found in many colors, but deep blue with white streaks is the most desirable.
FEAM Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results
5E Advanced Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: FEAM), the owner of strategic critical mineral assets Boron and Lithium at Fort Cady in southern California, reported its financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2022, which ended on March 31, 2022.
Podcast – Mining Decarbonization
In today's podcast, we're going to look at decarbonization opportunities in the mining industry and how mining can help achieve net zero emissions.
Exciting Lithium by-product at ABR US Boron Facility
Giving impetus to its drive to be a substantial player in the advanced energy eco-system of the region and beyond, American Pacific Borates Limited (ASX:ABR) (ABR or the Company) is exploring partner options for a potential by-product lithium production from its Fort Cady Integrated Boron Facility in Southern California.
FEAM Announces Breakthrough Technology on Boron Facility
FEAM - 5E advanced materials - has made a significant breakthrough and has begun construction on its Small Scale Boron Facility (SSBF) with a leading publicly traded contractor in the US.
Boron, ESG and the Mining Industry
The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework is growing in significance for mining companies, including those involved in boron extraction. ESG is a set of practices that mines have to comply with to ensure their future sustainability. It will become an integral part of every mining operation worldwide shortly. ESG compliance is difficult for some mines because it requires them to alter their production methods or management style. However, it is not only possible but necessary.
Introduction to Nitride and its Compounds
A nitride is a nitrogen compound that combines with an element with a lower or similar electronegativity to nitrogen, including boron, magnesium, silicon, and most metals.
Boron – The Building Block of Urbanization
Boron is a metal useful to modern societies for over 100 years. It is most commonly available as borax in household cleaning products. Or, as the boric acid in eye drops and mouthwashes. However, it has many other uses in urbanization. It is present in construction...
Demand Surges for Boron from Battery Producers
The clean energy shift is happening, and it’s more than just an environmental movement. As more people turn to renewable sources of power, the demand for battery minerals is increasing exponentially worldwide. Boron, lithium, and graphite are essential minerals seeing increased share prices because of this trend.
Podcast – 5e Advanced Materials Announces Exciting Update
Today, we’re going to take a look at 5e Advanced Materials, the only permitted boron and lithium resource in the United States that recently updated the boron and lithium community with its strategic plan.
FEAM Announces Breakthrough Technology on Boron Facility
FEAM - 5E advanced materials - has made a significant breakthrough and has begun construction on its Small Scale Boron Facility (SSBF) with a leading publicly traded contractor in the US.
Boron Extraction risk and rewards
As a result of climate change, boron is becoming more and more sought after to cope with Decarbonization initiatives and Advanced Energy applications to reduce fuel and energy costs and reduce pollution levels. As global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, we can expect an even greater need for boron to develop renewable energy sources. Use of Boron is also promoted in government regulations such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Power Plan to meet stricter emission standards for power plants.
Borosilicate Glass Industrial Applications
Borosilicate glass is made by blending oxide that is boric silica sand, soft drink ash, and alumina.Borosilicate melts in a greater heat than ordinary spectacles
Podcast – Novel Applications in BNNTs
Today, we're going to look at novel applications using boron nitride nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotubes, or BNNTs, are mechanically and structurally identical to carbon nanotubes. BNNTs, however, have unique properties that are electrically insulating as well as transparent because of the polarized boron nitride bond.
Boron – The Wonder Mineral
The mineral Boron is a wonder. It is one of the building blocks for our modern lifestyle. We use it every day in all sorts of things, from concrete to computer chips. Yet few people know what it is or which countries use it extensively. This article will tell you...
Advanced Materials Need Boron
How Boron Enhances the Value of Advanced Materials? Boron is an ingredient in advanced materials with a wide range of applications. It is mainly useful as a dopant and part of semiconductors, fiber optics, and other electronics. Boron-containing compounds are also...
Nuclear Waste Is Revolutionizing The Glass Industry
Nuclear waste can now be vitrified into durable borosilicate glass for long-term secure storage which is an ingenious breakthrough in hazardous management.
Boron and U.S. Rare Earths
The U.S. is boosting the stockpile of its rare earth minerals such as cobalt and lithium. Why? Partly to reduce dependence on China and partly to have a strategic policy towards rare earth sourcing and distribution. Rare earths are valuable resources used in E.V. batteries and decarbonization. What is the stance on boron and U.S. rare earths as a critical mineral?
Boron a Superconductive Element
Boron is the superconductive element of the ceramic family. It's characterized by a wide variety of applications and unique properties.
Country Profile of Bolivia
Bolivia is one of the largest producers of borates globally after Turkey, the USA, Chile, and Argentina. Extraction and production of ulexite is the main activity centered around the south of the country, with both public and private companies involved. Exports are mostly sodium borates and boric acid, with Brazil and China among the largest buyers.
High Purity Boron Controls Nuclear Power
Amazing Benefits of Boron - Radiation Protection As the world moves towards a greener power future, Nuclear Power Generation is considered one of the leading green energy sources. However, there are risks with Radiation from Nuclear Power. Boron can reduce the...
ABR Appoints 2 Key Executives for US Listing
American Pacific Borates (ABR) has just announced the appointment of two senior executives to support its value engineering activities and US listing and to maximize shareholder value through operational excellence, strategic planning, and parallel diversification initiatives. The company also has plans for a listing in the US. To bring it all to fruition, the company is in discussions with various US-based investment banks, potential US partners, and debt capital market advisors.
Boron Demand in Military Conflict
The tragic scenes unfolding on our screens daily of armed conflict are a powerful reminder of the need for protective materials to minimise injury and fatalities among the military personnel and civilians. Military hardware requires strong, light, malleable, durable and anti-corrosive materials. Boron is a key material used in bulletproof vests, bulletproof armour, in helicopter skins and on aircraft as well as an anti-corrosive in weaponry.
Alkaline Boron – a Balancing Force in Nature
Alkaline Balancing pH is a key component to creating an environment that is healthy for life. Boron, a non-metal found harmlessly and naturally combined with oxygen as borates, helps create this balance. Boron is a key element that can be beneficial for your health...
Ford Boron Steel Bodywork
Automotive makers, including Ford, are taking advantage of boron's high tensile strength to build stronger, safer, and lighter cars. Boron steel is a crucial ingredient in the Ford Fiesta's pillars and structural elements and its other car brands. Boron steel is steel alloyed with small amounts of boron. It is four times higher than the average high-strength steel.
How Boron is Beneficial for Heat Conversion
How is Boron Beneficial for Heat Conversion? This is a topic of interest for many scientists, engineers, and chemists due to its unique properties. It is an element that plays a vital role in heat and other energy conversion processes. Additionally, it is important...
Boron Superconducting Powers
Looking for spotless electricity? Hold on, Boron! It's been a while since we've had a blog post about the wonders of Boron. Boron is used to produce clean electricity(yes, it is) which is great for those who are looking to save on their electric bill and reduce...
Podcast – Billion Dollar Boron
Podcast - Billion dollar boron. In 2021, borates sales hit billions of dollars. Why? The demand for boron is increasing rapidly in strategic sectors such as aerospace and defense, zero-carbon, and advanced energy solutions, which depend on boron-based technologies to reduce emissions. Recent forecasts predict that boron demand will increase by 30% by the end of the decade.
Boron and Chernobyl
Boron (B₁₀), which comprises about 20% of elemental boron, is one of the best neutron absorbers. It is dissolved in the cooling water of power plants to control the chain reaction, to absorb enough neutrons to remove excess reactivity in PWR plants. In both BWRs and PWRs, it is used in control rods to control reactivity and change the power shape of the core.
Boron In Forest Ecosystems
Forest ecosystem worldwide is likely to be affected by boron deficiency due to increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, which decrease plants' uptake of this essential element.
U.S. Government Designates ABR Boron Fort Cady Facility as Critical Infrastructure
ABR Boron Facility: In a welcome move for ABR, the US Government has designated the Fort Cady boron and lithium site as critical infrastructure. Given the high demand and limited supply for boron, the move marks an important step in securing supplies of boron for key industries such as advanced energy and for decarbonization efforts.
Boron Helps Generate Cheap And Clean Electricity
Looking for Clean Electricity? Boron to the Rescue! It's been a while since we've had a blog post about the wonders of Boron's electrical conductivity powers. Boron is used to produce electricity, which is great for those who are looking to save on their electric...
Public Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and so are public charging stations. There are many benefits to using public chargers, including the convenience of charging your vehicle while you are out.
Rio Tinto – Jadar Valley Lithium Project Suspended
Rio Tinto has found itself in the news again after its lithium project in Jadar, Serbia, was suspended after protests by the local community in Serbia. The backlash does not bode well for mining companies looking to open mines in response to a growing demand for minerals such as lithium that are fuelling advanced energy growth in multiple business sectors, including automotive, defence, aerospace.
Boron 3D Metal Printing
AML3D and Deakin University's Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) announces a series of collaborative feasibility projects exploring Boron 3D Metal Printing using Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) in Wire Additive Manufacturing. The new composite could revolutionize Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM) by enjoying far-reaching commercial industry implications for applications in 3D metal printing globally.
Company Profile of Lynas Rare Earths
Lynas Company Profile - Lynas is a leading global supplier of rare earths, crucial for many high-tech and green energy applications with operations in Malaysia and Australia. Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ACN:009 066 648) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange as a public company in Western Australia.
Lithium Miner Ioneer To Receive $700m from DOE
Ioneer, a lithium mining company, has secured a remarkable $700 million investment from the U.S Department of Energy to develop their Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project.
Video – Boost Plant Growth with Boron: A Comprehensive Guide
Boron plays an essential role in aiding plant growth and health. Plants absorb this trace element which helps to increase fertility levels and achieve optimal growth.
5 Ways Boron Can Be An Extrication Agent
The use of boron steel in extrication is an important factor to consider because it has a tensile strength that’s close to titanium, which makes it perfect for emergencies where you need something durable and strong enough to cut through metal or other materials to extract people from dangerous scenarios.
Company Profile of Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a major player in Boron mining. The company has been around for more than 100 years. And now it employs more than 60,000 people across the globe. In this blog post, we will take a look at Rio Tinto’s role in Boron mining and where they are located.
Boron in Construction
Boron is a key element in industrial construction - the construction of businesses with manufacturing plants, power plants, refineries. It is a strengthening additive in concrete, steel, and aluminum alloys for structural support. It also helps prevent corrosion by shielding against corrosive agents like saltwater or chlorine. Boron also plays a vital role in steel production by acting as a fluxing agent during the smelting process.
California With The Hidden Gem Boron
California is home to some of the world's richest deposits of boron thanks largely to its naturally occurring colemanite and ulexite minerals.
Boron Joins the Rare Earths Club
Rare Earth elements are valuable because they have magnetic and optical properties which create technologies in components such as audio speakers, hard drives, camera lenses, MRI imaging, and monitors of all sorts. But there is a cost to mining them as post-mining purification processes create hazardous waste. Boron is a potential alternative, providing clean and superconductive, energy-efficient benefits while being cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
Stable 2D Structures of Boron
Stable 2D structures of Boron: Properties and Applications It is one of the most common elements in the Earth's crust. They are in the study for decades to find applications for them. With recent advances in nanotechnology, boron has gotten a new lease on life....
Boron – The Secret Behind New Battery Formats
BNNT - BORON NITRATE NANOTUBES ARE THE KEY TO LONGER BATTERY LIFEWith the growing need for eco-friendly power as a result of environmental concerns, developing batteries with high power is of increasing relevance. Li-S batteries are attracting much interest in both...