Energy and Air
Demand for Optibor® Boric Acids and Dehybor® Anhydrous
Borax – which have higher energy requirements associated
with their production but which improve energy efficiency
in use – rose dramatically in 2004.
As a result, Borax did not meet its targets to reduce
energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in its
primary mine and refineries. The company is adding capacity
for these and other products in anticipation of continuing
high demand. New equipment as well as improved plant
design and operator training are expected to reduce energy
and emissions per ton of product, putting the company
on track to achieve its energy and greenhouse gas emission
reduction targets by 2008.
The company did not meet fuel efficiency targets in
its primary mine either. As the mine gets deeper, it
takes more fuel to haul the ore over longer distances
and up steeper roads – which decreases fuel efficiency.
Borax plans to improve maintenance practices to ensure
better engine efficiency.
Other ideas to increase energy efficiency and decrease
associated air emissions are generated by a specially-appointed
team at Borax's primary mine and refinery facility.
More than 70 ideas have been identified, ranging from
converting haul trucks to natural gas to using solar
or wind energy.
These charts present Borax's GHG emissions and intensity.
On-site numbers are higher than total numbers because
they include emissions from the company's cogeneration
plant, which converts clean burning natural gas to electricity
and steam. This plant produces 100 megawatts of electricity,
85 of which is sold to the local utility. Borax is credited
in its "total emissions" for emissions associated with
this exported electricity. Total numbers include emissions
from Borax operations, as well as emissions associated
with imported steam and energy.
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There were errors in last year's report concerning 2002
and 2003 data for SOx, NOx and Particulate Matter. These
errors were due to an inaccuracy in the model the company
uses to calculate these emissions, resulting in understatement
of the company's mobile equipment emissions. These
errors have been corrected in the data presented in the
chart below. 
Particulate
matter refers to solid or liquid particles found in the
air. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen
as soot or smoke, but fine particulate matter is generally
not visible to the naked eye. Mobile source particulate
emissions consist mainly of these tiny particles, also
known as PM2.5, because they are less than 2.5 microns
in diameter. Borax emitted less particulate matter in
2004 due to installation of new enclosed conveyor belt
systems and increased road watering in and around the
company's primary mine.
Part of the refining process – crystallizing – requires
more than 800 refrigeration units. These units required
replacement of the following ozone-depleting substances
in 2004:
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