Skip to Content

Sustainability

For more than 150 years, we've produced refined borates that are essential to fundamental products and applications.

Today, we are driven by finding better, more sustainable ways to provide the boron that the world needs.

To shape a more equitable and sustainable future, we must pair innovative solutions with transparency.


Our mission is to achieve better outcomes for our people, the planet, communities, and customers.

U.S. Borax's sustainability agenda is aligned with Rio Tinto's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) approach to create a more equitable and sustainable future for the people and planet.

Sustainability

Planet

Mitigating our impact on the planet is critical, especially as we move toward a decarbonized world. At U.S. Borax, we practice responsible environmental stewardship by:

Lowering our carbon footprint

Using resources wisely and minimizing waste

Protecting wildlife and maintaining biodiversity

Extracting the full value from refined borates

People

U.S. Borax prioritizes not only physical safety, but also the mental well-being of our people. From the Inclusion Council's diversity and inclusion work to our commitment to advancing professional development opportunities for women in mining, we’re finding ways to ensure everyone can reach their full potential.

More details

Community

We are closely involved in the communities in which we operate. U.S. Borax creates a positive legacy through:

Annual grants and scholarships

Land preservation and donations

Community outreach and volunteering

Job growth and economic prosperity

Support for our customers' sustainability

Sustainability doesn't stop onsite. Our refined boron products facilitate low-impact operations for customers.

Sustainability icon

Reduces waste

Boron supports more durable products in numerous industries, reducing waste. It protects wood—a low-carbon construction material—from pests and fire. Boron also reinforces glass strength.

Energy icon

Saves energy

From borosilicate glass to battery graphitization, borates reduce energy consumption by lowering required temperatures during critical manufacturing processes.

Related resources

U.S. Borax becomes first open pit mine to transition to renewable diesel

U.S. Borax has successfully completed the full transition of its heavy machinery from fossil diesel to renewable diesel at its Boron, California operation, making it the first open pit mine in the world to achieve this milestone.

Building nests and taking flight: Kestrels at Borax Rotterdam

For 20 years, a small flock of kestrels has called our Rotterdam site home. Learn what U.S. Borax Logistics Coordinator, Mart Van Hamburg, and our team is doing to spread awareness and protect this endangered bird.

Land donation for college campus expansion

Land formerly held by U.S. Borax is being donated to Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Curry Campus.