Associated Press - August 1, 2009 4:35 PM ET

LUCERNE, Wyo. (AP) - The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments through Aug. 27 on a proposal for bentonite mining in Hot Springs County in Wyoming.

Wyo-Ben Inc. has proposed mining and reclamation at six spots, using existing roads to haul bentonite to its plant in Lucerne. About 200 acres would be affected.

The BLM released its environmental assessment of the proposal this week. If the plan is approved, mining could begin later this year.

The current proposal revises one originally submitted in the 1980s.

Wyo-Ben Inc. is headquartered in Billings, Mont.

On the Net:

BLM page on Wyo-Ben Inc. mining proposal: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/wfodocs/wyo-ben.html

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