Bentonite seams are commonly visible throughout the Wyoming landscape.
Exploration for new bentonite beds is normally accomplished with auger bit drilling. Once the auger drill stem reaches the soft bentonite it sinks very rapidly, which indicates to the driller that bentonite has been found. Various types of heavy equipment including bull dozers and rubber-tired scrapers are used to remove the shale rock overlying the bentonite. Topsoil, as well as the underlying material, is carefully removed and stockpiled. This is the material which is mined and processed.