BLM Cody releases analysis of bentonite mining project
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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 a proposed bentonite mining expansion project in Big Horn County. The environmental assessment will be available for public review and comment through Sept. 20, 2019.
MI-Swaco 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 is available for public review and comment online at https://go.usa.gov/xyAYt. The plan of operations submitted by MI-Swaco is available for review at the BLM Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street.
Comments may be emailed by September 20 to blm_wy_cody_comments@blm.gov; please include “M-I Swaco Steamboat Plan” 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 in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For more information, please contact BLM Geologist Gretchen Hurley 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.