Ulexite

Brief overview

Ulexite is hydrated sodium calcium borate hydroxide represented as NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·5H₂O. It is predominately found in California and Nevada in the US, in Chile and Kazaksthan. It is often referred to as TV rock, for its silky white rounded crystalline appearance. Ulexite is also found in a vein-like bedding habit composed of closely packed fibrous crystals. Ulexite crystals contain three structural groups, isolated pentaborate polyanions, calcium coordinated polyhedra, and sodium coordinated octahedra that are joined together and cross-linked by hydrogen bonding.

Mining process

1. Drilling – The most important of any exploration is drilling, as it is the best way to sample the type and purity of the ore underneath.
2. Shovelling and hauling – Once the underground is loose, enormous shovels are used to scoop the rubbles from the bottom of the mine. The ore is taken from underground, crushed and then sent for refining.
3. Refining – Dissolving, settling, crystallising, filtering, drying and conveying are the steps used for refining boron minerals.
4. Testing and storage – The final stage is to test the refined mineral ore for quality and store for future use.

• Fertilizers – Boron is used as a micronutrient in fertilizers for plants to promote growth.
• Ceramics-Borates play an important role in ceramic glazes and enamels. It is used for increasing chemical, thermal and wear resistances.
• Glass – Boron is used as an additive in glass manufacturing to reduce thermal expansion and to provide higher strength against high temperature and thermal shock. It is used as a fluxing agent to reduce the viscosity of glass during its manufacture.
• Detergents – It is used as alkaline buffers, enzyme stabilisers, as water softeners and as bleacing agents.