Australian mining firm Ioneer is interested in bidding on a bundle of Rio Tinto Group’s US assets that produce boron, a critical mineral used in fertilizer, according to its top executive.

The recent market price of ferroboron has shown adjustments.

The assets collectively meet about 30% of global boron demand, the article states.

Rare earth elements, often dubbed the “vitamins” of modern technology, sit at the heart of everything from smartphones and drones to electric vehicles and defense systems.

Boron Added to U.S. Critical Mineral List

In September 2025, China's total boric acid imports reached 31,720.033 metric tons, an increase of 5,912.146 metric tons compared to August

In August 2025, China's total import of boric acid reached 25,807.887 tons, a decrease of 3,179.759 tons compared to July

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced a new initiative to recover lithium from boron mine waste, highlighting its strategic importance for electric vehicle batteries and other key technologies.