Bentonite Performance Minerals

The Bentonite Performance Minerals (BPM) submittal was for the successful reclamation of 358 acres of Permit No. 267C. Their Short Haul Area near Colony, Wyoming. Mining in this area predates Wyoming's reclamation laws and BMP has a long history of working with the state to achieve successful reclamation.

The overburden in the mine area becomes very poor as it becomes closer to the bentonite seam. BPM developed a tiered system of backfilling open pits. The tiered system ensures that the worst material is buried the deepest and the best material is near the top. The special attention to the salvaging and replacement of overburden strata, subsoil and topsoil attributed to successful reclamation and the granting of bond release of 358 acres.