BLM Cody releases analysis of bentonite mining expansion projects
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
CODY, Wyo. – As part of its commitment to serve local communities through the management of sustainable, working public lands, the Bureau of Land Management has analyzed two proposed bentonite mining expansion projects in Big Horn County. The BLM Cody Field Office will accept comments on the environmental assessment through July 15, 2019.
Wyo-Ben, Inc., plans to expand its current mining operations by 37 acres on BLM-managed federal land located 7 miles northwest of Cowley. The proposed expansion would provide an estimated 60,000 tons of bentonite from public lands over the life of the project and would continue to employ approximately 10 mine employees, 25 mill employees and additional subcontractors.
American Colloid Company (ACC) plans to expand its current mining operations by 2 acres on BLM-managed federal land located 8 miles northwest of Cowley. The proposed expansion would provide an estimated 6,000 tons of bentonite from public lands over the life of the project and would continue to employ approximately 20 mine employees, 100 mill employees and additional subcontractors.
The environmental assessment is available for public review and comment online at https://go.usa.gov/xmAUC. The plan of operations submitted by Wyo-Ben and modification submitted by ACC are available for review at the BLM Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street.
Comments may be emailed by July 15 to blm_wy_cody_comments@blm.gov; please include "Wyo-Ben Northern Pacific/ACC Frannie” in the subject line. Comments may also be mailed to AFM Minerals and Lands, BLM Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY, 82414.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personally identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask the BLM in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
For more information, please contact BLM Geologist Lisa Marks at 307-578-5900.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.