Rep. McCarthy Visits Rio Tinto Minerals’ Boron Mine

Discusses how Kern County exports create economic growth in California

Opening overseas markets for California’s quality products, resources and agriculture is an important factor in Kern County’s economic growth, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) told employees of Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM) during a town hall meeting April 7.

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House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy talked world trade with employees of Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM) during a town hall meeting April 7 in Boron, California. (Photo: Business Wire)

Rep. McCarthy has recently been working to bring down trade barriers for boric acid produced by Rio Tinto Minerals as well as California-grown almonds and other agricultural products.

“When California produces, our country and community win – particularly when we are able to sell our products to markets around the world,” McCarthy said. “This ability to operate is vital to job creation and innovation. Securing critical minerals, as is done here at Boron, ensures that our community continues to put America at the forefront of a 21st century economy.”

From its mining and refining operations in Boron, California, Rio Tinto Minerals supplies about 30 percent of the world’s supply of refined borates, a critical ingredient in hundreds of products, including glass, fiberglass, ceramics, fertilizers, wood preservatives and detergents.

About 75 percent of Rio Tinto Minerals’ products are exported to more than 1,000 customers in 100 countries from its Port of Los Angeles operations in Wilmington. The top-five export markets are in Asia.

“Well over half of Rio Tinto Minerals’ sales are to customers outside the U.S.,” said Dean Gehring, President and CEO of Rio Tinto Minerals. “Opening up new markets and bringing down foreign trade barriers to our products make our operation and our employees more competitive globally.”

About Rio Tinto Minerals

Part of Rio Tinto Group, Rio Tinto Minerals supplies about 30 percent of the world's refined borates – a critical ingredient in hundreds of products, including glass, fiberglass, ceramics, fertilizers, wood preservatives and detergents – from its operation in California's Mojave Desert, one of the richest borate deposits on earth. Learn more at http://borax.com/.

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Rio Tinto MineralsJohn Brown, [e-mail]