Boron
The United States is the leading world producer and consumer of boron-containing minerals and chemicals. For several years, the U.S. output has been enough for domestic requirements as well as a large share of foreign markets. U.S. reserves of boron minerals are more than adequate for long-term production at the current level (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). However, future growth in demand in the United States and abroad will require other sources to supply a greater share of the market. The country with the highest potential for increased export production is Turkey. The few Asian and South American countries with boron minerals may also be expected to increase output (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). The unique characteristics of the borate component of the boron compound are responsible for their importance in manufacturing applications, particularly in highly industrialized nations such as the United States, the European Community, and Japan (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). Fo!r Example, the glass-forming properties of the borate component of commercial boron minerals and refined chemicals accounts for half of total U.S. consumption of these products, specifically in the manufacturing of specialty glasses, and insulation and tex
Kistler, Robert B. and Cahit Helvaci. (1994). "Boron and Borates." Industrial Minerals Boron consumption is directly related to the usage of glass, glass fibers, and ceramics. These materials, along with certain plastics that contain borate products, are seen as having a steady consumer demand in the construction and housewares markets well into the next century (Kistler et al 1994, 184). Other major uses, detergents, plant foods, wood preservation, etc., are expected to show a slowly rising demand (Kistler et al 1994, 184). Specialty uses are expected to increase, but these will probably have only a minor affect on total borate slates. Total world borate demand is expected to grow at about 3% in the near future, based on industry forecasts (Kistler et al 1994, 184). Known reserves of borate minerals are large, particularly in Turkey, South America, and the United States, and production from Turkey and the United States will continue to dominate the world market (Kistler et al 1994, 184). However, borates from other areas will probably take up an increasin! and Rocks. 6th Edition. Senior Ed. Donald D. Carr. Society for Mining, s of doubt, two easy field tests are available to determine the presence of borates. The original flame test, where the mineral is soaked with sulfuric acid and alcohol and ignited, is still one of the most diagnostic. As chemical tests performed in the laboratory are more diagnostic and accurate, most field samples are sent there for analysis (Kistler et al 1994, 181). Borate exploration consists of detailed prospecting of favorable areas followed by drilling and utilizes all the tools available to the exploration geologist (Kistler et al 1994, 181). The trends of favorable host rocks and structures is an important guide to areas that are of possible interest. Satellite imagery, both real and false color, and standard photo interpretation can be successfully used under certain conditions (Kistler et al 1994, 181). In most parts of the world, the identification of a Cenozoic suite of non-marine fine-grained sediments and tuffs is the usual starting point for the field geologist, because most commercial borates are found associated with these rocks (Kistler et al 1994, 181). Any accumulation of salts in these sediments is examined closely because many borates are associated with volcanic rocks, volcanic centers, flows, ash deposits, and tuffs, particularly if zeolite-bearing, may also be favorable guides to borate prospecting (Kistler et a! acts with low energy neutrons to give off short-range alpha particles that can be used for microsurgery in previously inoperable areas of the brain (Harben 1995, 29). Current tests on boron analogues indicate they may be effective in reducing serum cholesterol and other disease-causing proteins (Harben 1995, 29). In 1979, boron exports were estimated to have reached a record high level of 132,000 tons (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). U.S. imports of boron ores and boric acid declined from the peak of 15,000 tons of boron content in 1978 to 11,000 tons in 1979 (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). From a 1978 base of 128,000 short tons of contained boron, U.S. demand is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 3.8% to 290,000 tons in 2000 (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). Cumulative U. S. demand in this period, at 4.4 million tons, represents over one-fifth of estimated domestic reserves of 20 million tons (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). World reserves of about 100 million tons of boron content are more than adequate to satisfy cumulative world demand to 2000 of 15.4 million tons (Bureau of Mines 1980, 105). The average rate of growth in world demand, from 460,000 tons in 1978 to 980,000 tons in 2000, is 3.5%.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Bureau Mines, Europe Asia, Russia China, Russians Geophysical, Assay B2O3, bureau mines 1980, bureau mines, mines 1980, kistler et, et al 1994, et al, al 1994, kistler et al, Fo Example, Turkey United, , India Russian, Tuscany Italy, mines 1980 105, 1980 105, 1994 181, al 1994 181, 1994 184, 1980 118, boric acid,
Approximate Word count = 3256
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)
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