Boron – A Review of 1992 Activities

The boron review did not arrive in time for publication in the June issue. The United States was the world's largest producer and consumer of boron compounds during 1992. The US Bureau of Mines estimated that boron mineral concentrate and chemical production in the United States totaled 1Mt (1.1 million st) in 1992, yielding 521 kt (574,000 st) of B203 for a total estimated value of $333 million. That was about 20% less than 1991 revised production figures, and less in value by $107 million. The United States continues to provide essentially all of its own boron supply while maintaining a strong position as a source of sodium borate products and boric acid to foreign markets. Domestic employment in the mining and beneficiation of boron products in 1992 was about 900 people, the same as in 1991. In 1988, 1250 people worked in the boron industry. The Bureau estimated that total world production of boron in 1992 was about 3 Mt (3.3 million st), or about 1.2 Mt (1.3 million st)of B2O3. World production in 1992 was about equal to revised 1991 levels. US production Mines and processing operations in southern California were the only domestic sources of boron mineral concentrates and chemicals. US producers, in order of quantity of production, included: