Wyoming Bentonite
Wyoming's Bentonite industry mined 5.2 million tons and milled 4.6 million tons of bentonite in 2005, with 815 mine and mill employees, and 242 contractor employees.
There are three major economic geologic areas of production of swelling Bentonite in Wyoming shown on the map to the left.:
· The Clay Spur areas around Upton and Newcastle
· The Colony Area in the north east corner of Wyoming
· Along the east and west flanks of the Big Horn Range.
There are three major economic geologic areas of production of swelling Bentonite in Wyoming shown on the map to the left.:
· The Clay Spur areas around Upton and Newcastle
· The Colony Area in the north east corner of Wyoming
· Along the east and west flanks of the Big Horn Range.
Currently,
Bentonite deposits in Wyoming make up 70 percent of the world's known supply.
It is economical to mine Bentonite as deep as 50 feet.
· Bentonite is produced worldwide in Greece, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Romania, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, India, Hungary, Poland, Canada, Turkey, and Cyprus. Within the U.S., Bentonite is produced in Wyoming, Montana, California, Arizona, and Texas.
Wyoming Bentonite products possess unique characteristics rarely found anywhere else. For example, Wyoming Bentonite can swell up to 16 times its original size, and absorb up to 10 times its own weight in water. This is mostly due to the presence of sodium instead of calcium, more commonly found in Bentonite. It is believed the sodium in Wyoming's Bentonite was created by high concentrations of sodium ions in the seawater where the volcanic ash settled. In scientific terms, the atomic lattice structure of Wyoming Bentonite consists of repetitive layers of aluminum hydroxide atoms bonded or held between layers of silicate atoms. The resulting platelets are stacked upon each other much like a deck of cards, allowing water to penetrate between the platelets, and inducing swelling. If room to swell does not exist, a thick gel forms. Wyoming Bentonite consists of hydrous silicate of alumina, more commonly known as montmorillonite clay
.
The major markets for Wyoming bentonite are absorbents, animal feed, drilling fluids, foundry, iron ore pelletizing, and sealants. Demand for Wyoming bentonite as an absorbent in pet litter has seen real growth in recent years, and may become the largest single market for Wyoming bentonite after the turn of the century. Drilling mud lubricates oilfield drilling equipment and helps prevent caving of the drill hole. Currently, the largest market for Wyoming bentonite is in the foundry industry as a molding sand binder. The molds are then used to cast engine blocks and other items. Another use of Wyoming bentonite is for binding iron pellets, which are later fed into a blast furnace for processing. Bentonite is also used to seal reservoirs and landfills. Other uses include crayons, medicines, and the first use of Wyoming bentonite - cosmetics.
· Wyoming Bentonite is transported to countries in every area around the world. For example, Japan, Korea, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Russia, Mexico, and many countries in Europe and South America all use Wyoming bentonite.
Wyoming's bentonite industry faces challenges from international sources, partial substitution by polymers in iron ore pelletizing, new oil & gas drilling methods, and market swings in demand for durable goods and energy exploration which in turn drive demand for bentonite.
Bentonite Brochure
· Bentonite is produced worldwide in Greece, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Romania, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, India, Hungary, Poland, Canada, Turkey, and Cyprus. Within the U.S., Bentonite is produced in Wyoming, Montana, California, Arizona, and Texas.
Wyoming Bentonite products possess unique characteristics rarely found anywhere else. For example, Wyoming Bentonite can swell up to 16 times its original size, and absorb up to 10 times its own weight in water. This is mostly due to the presence of sodium instead of calcium, more commonly found in Bentonite. It is believed the sodium in Wyoming's Bentonite was created by high concentrations of sodium ions in the seawater where the volcanic ash settled. In scientific terms, the atomic lattice structure of Wyoming Bentonite consists of repetitive layers of aluminum hydroxide atoms bonded or held between layers of silicate atoms. The resulting platelets are stacked upon each other much like a deck of cards, allowing water to penetrate between the platelets, and inducing swelling. If room to swell does not exist, a thick gel forms. Wyoming Bentonite consists of hydrous silicate of alumina, more commonly known as montmorillonite clay
.
The major markets for Wyoming bentonite are absorbents, animal feed, drilling fluids, foundry, iron ore pelletizing, and sealants. Demand for Wyoming bentonite as an absorbent in pet litter has seen real growth in recent years, and may become the largest single market for Wyoming bentonite after the turn of the century. Drilling mud lubricates oilfield drilling equipment and helps prevent caving of the drill hole. Currently, the largest market for Wyoming bentonite is in the foundry industry as a molding sand binder. The molds are then used to cast engine blocks and other items. Another use of Wyoming bentonite is for binding iron pellets, which are later fed into a blast furnace for processing. Bentonite is also used to seal reservoirs and landfills. Other uses include crayons, medicines, and the first use of Wyoming bentonite - cosmetics.
· Wyoming Bentonite is transported to countries in every area around the world. For example, Japan, Korea, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Russia, Mexico, and many countries in Europe and South America all use Wyoming bentonite.
Wyoming's bentonite industry faces challenges from international sources, partial substitution by polymers in iron ore pelletizing, new oil & gas drilling methods, and market swings in demand for durable goods and energy exploration which in turn drive demand for bentonite.
Bentonite Brochure
Some
Wyoming Bentonite Mining Companies:
American Colloid
(located near Colony, Wyoming)
Bentonite
Performance Minerals ( mines in Colony and Lovell, Wyoming)
M-I
LLC (mine located
at Greybull, Wyoming)
Wyo-Ben,
Inc
(operations in Greybull and Lovell, Wyoming)
