Bentonite Production & Employment

Production

Wyoming is the nation’s leader in bentonite production with more than 4 million tons of bentonite produced each year.

Employment

In 2018, the industry employed 711 workers, including mill operators, mechanics, surveyors, packaging operators and laboratory technicians. For every job provided by the industry, an estimated three additional jobs are created in the community.

The industry contributes more than $11.3 million in taxes and royalties with an annual payroll with benefits coming to approximately $48.3 million.

2018 Wyoming Bentonite Production & Employment


Big Horn County – Mines

Operator Mine Employees Production (Tons)
American Colloid Company Yellow Tail Mine 19 715,339
Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC BPM Lovell Mine 9 780,003
MI SWACO Greybull Mine 58 428,174
Wyo-Ben Big Horn Basin Mines 11 417,954
Totals  Totals 97 2,341,470

Big Horn County – Plants

Operator Plant Employees Production (Tons)
American Colloid Company Lovell Mill 60 363,526
Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC BPM Lovell Mill 63 647,539
MI SWACO MI SWACO Greybull Plant 57 382,356
Wyo-Ben, Inc. Sage Creek Mill 16 48,671
Wyo-Ben, Inc. Stucco Mill 30 109,644
Totals Totals 226 1,551,736

 

Crook County – Mines

Operator Mine Employees Production (Tons)
American Colloid Company Belle/Colony Mine Wyoming Mine Sites 45 671,536
Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC Colony Mine 23 544,910
Totals  Totals 68 1,216,446

Crook County Plants

Operator Plant Employees Production (Tons)
American Colloid Company Colony East 42 676,014
American Colloid Company American Colloid Company 34 491,336
Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC Colony Plant 80 483,357
Totals  Totals 156 1,650,707

Hot Springs County – Plants

Operator Plant Employees Production (Tons)
Wyo-Ben, Inc. Lucerne Mill 29 235,864
Total  Total 29 235,864

Natrona County – Mines

Operator Mine Employees Production (Tons)
Black Hills Bentonite Kaycee Mine 16 476,295
Black Hills Bentonite Oshoto Mine 6 93,273
Black Hills Bentonite Tensleep Mine 6 172,577
Tolsa Wyoming Bentonite Corp DCDM Mine 3 500
Tolsa Wyoming Bentonite Corp Wing Mine 3 65,648
1  Totals 34 808,293

Natrona County – Plants

Operator Plant Employees Production (Tons)
Black Hills Bentonite Casper Mill 20 183,560
Black Hills Bentonite Harry Thorson Plant 13 177,022
Black Hills Bentonite Mills Plant 23 108,503
Black Hills Bentonite Thornton Plant 6 80,452
Black Hills Bentonite Worland Plant 10 154,066
Tolsa Wyoming Bentonite Corp. Bucknum Plant 26 29,419
Totals Totals 98 733,022

 

2018 Wyoming Bentonite Production & Employment

MINE TOTAL x 202 4,366,209
PLANT TOTAL x 509 4,171,329
GRAND TOTAL x 711 8,537,538

Source: 2018 Report of the State Inspector of Mines of Wyoming