Project Name: Bent #4 Bentonite Plan of Operations

NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-MT-L020-2026-0005-EA

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-MT-L020-2026-0005-EA
Project Name

Bent #4 Bentonite Plan of Operations
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

In Progress - Analysis & Document Preparation
Lead Office

Glasgow Field Office
Last Updated

08/05/2026 - 12:00 AM

Project Description

On March 4, 2026, Americas Bentonite Corporation (ABC) submitted a Plan of Operations (Plan) to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Glasgow Field Office to propose bentonite mining activities in Valley County, Montana. The area has supported commercial-scale bentonite mining and production since the 1970s, with the most recent operations occurring in 2018.
The proposed surface mining would employ open-pit methods using concurrent reclamation, allowing for pit backfill to be completed as the mining operation proceeds in a phased approach. This method of mining allows reclamation of surface disturbance to be completed during mining operations to minimize the size and footprint of topsoil and overburden stockpiles.
The proposed Bent #4 project boundary is comprised of approximately 17.8 acres of public lands administered by the BLM.  See attached General Area Map. As proposed under the Plan, the surface disturbance on the public lands portion of the Bent #4 mine would be about 17.8 acres resulting from the open pit mine, primary access road, and the stockpiling of topsoil and over/interburden. No exploration activities would be conducted under the current phase of the Plan and are not analyzed under this Environmental Assessment (EA).
The start date for the project is dependent on BLM and state permits, but it would be expected to be soon after the BLM decision for the EA and Plan is approved. Completion of the project would be expected within 60 days of the start date.

What's New

8/5/26 Update: Draft Environmental Assessment (Chapters 1-4, Appendix A, and Appendix B) are available for public comment (8/5/26-9/4/26). The BLM is looking for public comment on the draft EA and/or the Bent #4 Plan of Operations. Both of these documents are available on the documents page or by using the participate now button at the top of this page.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Fort Peck	Montana	59223	Valley

Application Information

Applicant

Americas Bentonite Corporation
Case File Number

MTMT106792165
Program

Mining
Sub-Program

Hard Rock (Gold, Silver, Copper, Uranium, etc.)

Project Dates

Start Date

6/29/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Glasgow Field Office
Offices

Glasgow FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Timothy Wojtaszek
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(406) 538-1926

Contact 2 Name

Christopher Rye
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(406) 896-5159