U.S. Borax Company and History

How long has U.S. Borax been in business?
In 1872, borate deposits were discovered in California’s Death Valley. Several companies sprung up in the region to mine borates. By 1890, they were mostly consolidated into the Pacific Coast Borax Company. In 1956, the Pacific Borax Company merged with the United States Potash Corporation to form U.S. Borax.

Learn more about the history of U.S. Borax.
Is U.S. Borax an independent company?
Rio Tinto logoU.S. Borax was acquired by Rio Tinto in 1967. The new group, sometimes referred to as Rio Tinto Borax or Rio Tinto Borates, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group.
Is U.S. Borax ISO certified?
Yes, we have several ISO certifications.

ISO 9001:2015
  • Boron (mining, processing, production, testing, sales and shipping of borates)
  • Chicago (customer service and order processing)
  • Coudekerque (refining, production, and internal transfer of borates)
  • Wilmington (processing, testing, and shipping of borates)
ISO 14001:2015
  • Boron (mining, production, testing, and shipping of borates)
  • Coudekerque (refining, production, and internal transfer of borates)
  • Wilmington (processing, testing, and shipping of borates)
  • Lone Pine (mining and shipping of carbonates)
View all of our certificates:
Where do you get the borates you use in your products?
Boron operations mine and facilityWe operate California’s largest open pit mine in Boron, California.
Can I visit the U.S. Borax mine?
Borax Visitor CenterThe mine in Boron, California is closed to the general public. But, the Borax Visitor Center is open (and free to visit), Tuesdays through Saturdays, excluding major U.S. holidays. Learn more about the Borax Visitor Center and plan your visit.
Can I buy laundry soap products directly from U.S. Borax?
U.S. Borax produces and sells bulk borates; we do not sell any consumer borate products. The Dial Corporation acquired U.S. Borax’s consumer products division in 1988. Subsequently, Henkel acquired Dial in 2003.

To buy their consumer products in bulk, visit the Dial Professional website.

To buy our borate products in bulk, please contact your local sales representative for more information about purchasing our industrial and agriculture products through us or one of our distributors.
Are you hiring? Where can I apply to work for U.S. Borax?
As a division of Rio Tinto, U.S. Borax has a number of positions if you are looking for a career that makes a difference. Learn more about joining the U.S. Borax team.
I'm a local vendor. How can I contact the U.S. Borax procurement team?

We are always looking to build new relationships with local and regional businesses. Local, tribal, and diverse suppliers are an important part of building strong economies and communities. We encourage these organizations to register in our supplier portal.

By registering, you will be able to:

  • Provide your company’s profile and capabilities to our procurement specialists
  • See and express interest in opportunities for all Rio Tinto North American assets—not just U.S. Borax
  • Receive notifications of current and future opportunities that match your registration criteria
How do I verify employment?
Are you an external party that needs to verify someone is employed by U.S. Borax? Please call +1 801 363 4357.

Current employees may request a reference letter in Workday, a link to which is found on Element.
What does U.S. Borax do to protect people from possible risk?
All our operations comply with all applicable safety regulations and make safety training a priority. Learn more about our commitment to keep our workplaces safe.

U.S. Borax, part of Rio Tinto, is a global leader in the supply and science of borates—naturally-occurring minerals containing boron and other elements. We are 1,000 people serving 650 customers with more than 1,800 delivery locations globally. We supply around 30% of the world’s need for refined borates from our world-class mine in Boron, California, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles.  Learn more about Rio Tinto.

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