Boron

The boron minerals commonly found in Türkiye; tinkal, colemanite and ulexite. Boron products are used in chemistry, materials, agriculture, construction, nuclear energy, defense industry, cleaning and healthcare. Concentrated boron products can also be consumed in these sectors, although regular boron products are used. Approximately 80% of boron products consumed worldwide are concentrated in the glass, ceramic, agriculture and detergent-cleaning sectors. Türkiye is the leader country that performs the production of the refined boron products.

Boron deposits in economic dimensions in the world are mostly located in Türkiye, USA, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Bolivia, Peru and Chile.

Türkiye ranks first in the world boron reserve ranking with the largest share of 73%. According to the USGS 2021 production data, Türkiye is the largest boron producer country in the world, meeting a large part of the world production. The world total boron reserve is unknown.

Known boron deposits in Türkiye are located in Eskişehir- Kırka, Kütahya- Emet, Balıkesir Bigadiç, Bursa-Kestelek.

The most abundant boron minerals in terms of reserves in Türkiye are tincal and colemanite. In Türkiye, tincal deposits are located in Eskişehir- Kırka, colemanite deposits are located in Kütahya- Emet, Balıkesir- Bigadiç and Bursa - Kestelek. In addition, ulexite reserves are available in Balıkesir- Bigadiç, and ulexite is obtained from time to time as a by-product in Bursa- Kestelek.

In order to clearly demonstrate our boron potential, reserve development studies are continuing within the scope of Bigadiç Master Project (BİGMAP). 

Boron production in our country is carried out by the General Directorate of Eti Mining Operations. As run-of-the-mill tincal, colemanite, ulexite minerals were produced. In 2021, Türkiye dominated 62% of the world boron market.

As a result of the end of 2020 studies in our country, it has been seen from international sources that there is approximately 3.3 billion tons of boron resources, of which 1.1 billion tons are considered as reserves. "Boron Carbide Production Facility" installation work has been started. In October 2019, the foundation of the facility was laid. The capacity of the facility with an investment amount of $70 million is 1,000 tons/year. With the Facility, which will employ 250 people, it is planned to switch from value-added end product products to advanced technology products and to generate an annual income of $ 24 million.

In addition, in order to ensure the wide use of boron products and technologies in the world and in Türkiye, to produce and develop new boron products, to provide the necessary scientific environment, National Boron Research Institute (BOREN) was established. BOREN aims of making, coordinating and contributing to scientific research for the researchers whichs rae from public and private legal entities that use boron and its products and/or conduct research in this field.

There are 8 Operating Licenses for boron mining (including complex ones) in our country. All of these licenses belong to the General Directorate of Eti Maden Operations and are located in the provinces of Balıkesir, Bursa, Eskişehir, Kütahya and Manisa.

When only the average prices of boric acid are examined, a continuous increase is observed in the five-year period. Exact prices of boron are not disclosed because the price of boron has a strategic importance for countries.

Eti Maden broke a record by increasing the sales figure of 1 million 670 thousand tons in 2020 to 2.6 million tons in 2021. 

Date of Update: 12 September 2022