BENTONITE :

Early Americans found bentonite indispensable in their lives. Pioneers discovered that moistened bentonite served as an ideal lubricant for squeaky wagon wheels. Additionally, the mixture was utilized as a sealant for log cabin roofing. Native Americans also found bentonite useful as a soap.

Small quantities of Wyoming bentonite were initially commercially mined and developed in the Rock River area during the 1880s. Subsequently, more substantial deposits were discovered in other parts of Wyoming during the 1920s, leading to the construction of the first processing plant in the state during this period. Since then, numerous other processing plants have been established for the purpose of processing Wyoming sodium bentonite. Wyoming's Bentonite industry produced over 4.0 million tons of bentonite in 1999, with 644 mine and mill employees, and 240 contractor employees.

Exploration for new bentonite beds typically involves auger bit drilling. Once the auger drill stem reaches the soft bentonite, it sinks rapidly, indicating to the driller that bentonite has been found. The auger flights are then withdrawn, and the "sticky" bentonite is sampled from the flights for quality analysis. Bentonite is mined using surface "open pit" methods, employing various types of heavy equipment including bulldozers and rubber-tired scrapers to remove the shale rock overlying the bentonite.

Topsoil, along with the underlying material, is carefully removed and stockpiled. These materials, known as "overburden," will be replaced and reseeded once the bentonite has been extracted. The thickness of the exposed bentonite during this process can range from as little as 1 1/2 feet to as much as 10 feet. This is the material that is mined and processed.

Many bentonite manufacturers prefer to "field dry" the exposed bentonite before hauling it to the processing plants. This is achieved by plowing and discing while taking advantage of low humidity and sunny days to dry the bentonite before its removal. The moisture level before "field drying" can exceed 30%. This process typically removes 15 to 20% of the moisture from the clay before hauling.

TYPES OF BENTONITE :

1. Sodium Bentonite:

This type of bentonite has the highest swelling capacity and is the most popular type used for drilling muds, construction, and building materials. It has a great absorption capacity and can absorb up to 10 times its own weight.

2.Calcium Bentonite:

This type of bentonite is also known as calcium montmorillonite and is primarily composed of calcium. It is often used for pond seals, as well as for litter and other absorbent products.

3.Potassium Bentonite:

This type of bentonite is also known as potassium montmorillonite and is rich in potassium. It is used for various industrial and commercial applications, such as drilling muds, foundry molds, and pet litter.

4.Sodium-Calcium Bentonite :

This type of bentonite is a combination of sodium and calcium bentonite. It is used in various industrial applications, such as drilling muds, as well as in agriculture as a soil conditioner.

5. Organoclays:

This type of bentonite is made by combining bentonite with organic compounds. It is used in various industrial and commercial applications, such as adhesives, sealants, paints, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

USES OF BENTONITE :

Bentonite is a naturally occurring clay material composed of the mineral montmorillonite, which forms from volcanic ash. It has a wide range of uses, most notably in the construction, agricultural, and industrial industries.

In construction, bentonite serves as a bonding agent in concrete, stucco, and other masonry products. It also plays a role in waterproofing and sealing foundations, walls, and roofs, and is a crucial component in many grouts and mortars.

In agriculture, bentonite acts as a soil amendment, enhancing water retention, aeration, and drainage. Additionally, it serves as a feed supplement for livestock.

In industry, bentonite functions as a binder and lubricant in oil and gas drilling operations. It finds application in foundry molds and casting, paper and pulp production, and pet litter manufacturing. Furthermore, it serves as a filtration aid in winemaking.

BENTONITE MINING AND PROCESSING:

Bentonite mining and processing involve several distinct operations:

1. Exploration: Bentonite deposits are typically explored using a combination of surface and subsurface techniques, including core drilling, auger drilling, seismic surveys, and other geophysical methods.

2. Mining: Open-pit mining is employed to remove the overburden and expose the bentonite layer. The bentonite is then extracted using standard mining techniques.

3. Crushing and Screening: The mined bentonite is transported to the processing plant for crushing and screening. It undergoes crushing and screening to size, after which it is dried in a rotary dryer.

4. Grinding : The dried bentonite is fed into a roller mill to reduce the particle size.

5. Mixing Bentonite is blended with other materials, such as lime, to create a slurry or suspension suitable for various applications.

6. Packaging : The final bentonite product is packaged and shipped to its destination.