Proposed Bentonite Mine Expansion in Big Horn County

The Bureau of Land Management is asking for public comment on a proposed bentonite mining expansion project in Big Horn County.

BLM officials say a company plans to mine bentonite and operate a haul road on 31 acres of BLM-managed federal land located 8 miles northeast of Greybull. The proposed project would provide an estimated 173,770 tons of bentonite from public lands over the life of the project and would continue to employ approximately 58 mine employees, 59 mill employees and additional subcontractors.

Bentonite is a locatable mineral used for a wide variety of industrial purposes, including medical products, binder, drilling mud and even cosmetic make-up.

The environmental assessment will be available for public review and comment through September 20th.