Efficiency
Borax also measures its environmental performance through operational efficiency.
In 2003, we met targets to lower the amount of explosives we use and make our
mining practices more efficient, and exceeded efficiency targets in our boric
acid and cogeneration plants. Although we failed to meet specific water and fuel
efficiency targets in our primary mine in 2003, we did reduce overall fuel use
by five percent in 2003, and lowered water use by 16 percent since 1999. This
increase was due to the fact that we have to mine deeper and move ore and overburden
further. Performance
against these and other efficiency targets is presented below.
