Operations

Borax revised its environmental indicators to take into account stakeholder feedback. In 2005, many targets will change from absolute annual reductions to longer-term reductions measured per unit of refined borates produced.

Operations
Borax is widely recognized for its environmental performance. Accomplishments of note in 2004 include:

• Receiving approval of an environmental permit to continue mining the rest of our primary deposit and expand our boric acid production capacity to meet market demand. This involved investing $300,000 in air monitoring programs and health experts to address community concerns about air quality.
  
  
• Maintaining ISO 14001 certification of our environmental management systems at each of our operational facilities worldwide.
  
  
• Successfully certifying our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 2000-2003 with the California Climate Action Registry, becoming the first mining company to earn the distinction of Climate Action Leader™ under this rigorous program.
  
  
• Earning membership in EPA's National Performance Track Program at U.S. facilities by demonstrating ongoing improvement, public outreach and regulatory compliance.
  
  
• Being recognized for outstanding environmental practices in the state of California, including the following honors.
  
  
• Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2004 Award for Environmental and Economic Excellence.
  
  
• The California Integrated Waste Management Board's Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP), an award Borax has received for ten of the last eleven years.
  
  
• A certificate of merit from the California Water Environment Association for innovation in minimizing water use and increasing recycling.
  
  
• The Industry Environmental Association's and the California Manufacturer & Technology Association's joint 2004 Environmental Responsibility Award.

Despite this external recognition, Borax did not meet its own internal targets to reduce air emissions, energy and water use, nor did the company meet its land rehabilitation target.

Environmental Impacts
Borax operations focus on mining and refining borates which involves disturbing land and using natural resources and energy. The company's goal is to make good use of those resources, to minimize pollution associated with its operations and to rehabilitate land disturbed by mining to recreate the habitat native species need to thrive.

Operations change over time, making it difficult to achieve absolute reductions in emissions and natural resource use year after year. For example, as Borax mines deeper, it takes more fuel to haul the ore over longer distances and up steeper roads – which creates more air emissions, and requires more water to control dust on haul roads. Increased product demand also drives increased use of energy and natural resources in the refining process.

Borax focuses on environmental impacts of its operations including:

• Water: Refining borates is, at its most basic, a process of washing and drying ore to remove impurities. Water is also used to control dust in our mining operations.
  
  
• Energy and Air: Trucks, shovels and other equipment require energy – including diesel, gasoline and even electricity – which release air emissions. Borax generates electricity from natural gas and works to control emissions from both mobile and stationary sources. Click here for Borax's Climate Change Policy.
  
  
• Land: Borate deposits are formed over millions of years, and covered by hundreds of feet of rock and soil. Borax moves millions of tons of earth every year to produce one million tons of refined borates.
  
  
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Over the past decade, the solid waste generated at Borax's primary mining and refining facility has been reduced to the point where the company's existing landfill is expected to last for the life of the mine, projected at 75 years.
  
  
• Regulatory Compliance: Borax works to meet or exceed environmental regulations at each of its worldwide facilities. Click here for Borax's Environmental, Health and Safety Policy.