Page 58 - 2023 AV EDGE RTR

i

n
D mining & Renewable Energy
u
s
t RIO TINTO U.S. BORAX California Operations
r The rich Mojave Desert is home to the largest open pit mine in
y California, owned and operated by Rio Tinto U.S. Borax. From
early mining in Death Valley – to the discovery of boron and
development of mine operations in Kern County, U.S. Borax has
been a trusted community partner; a vital east Kern employer;
and a global business operator for decades.
We supply one-third of the world’s demand for refined borates,
found in hundreds of products used every day, including your
mobile cell phone, laptop computer and flat screen TV – without
borates the screens would be too hot to touch. Borates are also
found in plant fertilizers, laundry additives, and fire suppressants.
The insulation in your home, the 2-by-4s in your walls, and wind
turbine blades are also improved with borates.
We are proud to lead the world in the development of refined
borates – and work hard to find better ways to provide the
materials the world needs.
It’s that business mindset that led us to explore low carbon
opportunities in the cement industry – using decades-old mine
waste; investigate renewable energy options for a 24-hour a day,
seven-days-a-week operation; and work with regulatory agencies
and industry partners to transition our on-site machinery fleet – to
renewable diesel, by the year 2024. We believe we’ll be the first in
the mining industry to achieve this fuel-conversion goal.
We’re also proud to report that, in 2022, we produced and shipped
more than a million tons of refined borates, a record for our
business.
We’re excited to continue our work to provide the world with
critical materials – mined and processed in Kern County.
Rio Tinto U.S. Borax, essential for life, critical for the future.

| 58 | 2023 Economic Report | AVEDGECA.ORG