Calcined Ulexite - Peru

Brief Overview

Hydrated sodium calcium borate hydroxide or NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·5H₂O, is known as ulexite. It is primarily found in Chile, Kazakhstan, and the US states of California and Nevada. TV rock is a common term for it because of its smooth, round, crystalline white appearance. Additionally, ulexite is found in a vein-like bedding habit made up of fibrous crystals that are closely spaced. Three structural groups are present in ulexite crystals: sodium coordinated octahedra, calcium coordinated polyhedra, and isolated pentaborate polyanions. These groups are hydrogen-bonded to each other and to each other's surfaces.

Mining Process

1. Drilling - Drilling is the most crucial aspect of exploration because it provides the most accurate sample of the kind and purity of ore beneath the surface.

2. Shovelling and hauling - Huge shovels are used to remove the debris from the mine's bottom once the underground has become free. After being extracted from underground, the ore is crushed and sent to be refined.

3. Refining - The stages involved in refining boron minerals include dissolving, settling, crystallizing, filtering, drying, and conveying products.

4. Testing and storage - Testing the quality of the refined mineral ore and storing it for later use is the last step.

Fertilizers

As a micronutrient, boron is added to plant fertilizers to encourage plant growth.

Ceramics

Borates are essential to ceramic enamels and glazes. It is applied to strengthen wear, heat, and chemical resistances.

Glass

In the process of making glass, boron is added as an additive to lower thermal expansion and increase strength against heat shock and high temperatures. When making glass, it is used as a fluxing agent to lower the viscosity of the material.

Detergents

It is employed as bleacing agents, water softeners, alkaline buffers, and enzyme stabilisers.