The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) plans to move forward with the permitting process for a new bentonite mine a couple of miles outside of Pine Haven with a public hearing to consider objections from citizens regarding its potential impact on air quality.

This meeting was set to take place in February but, due to inclement weather, was rescheduled.

The 317-acre operation, named the Keyhole State Project, is under the auspices of parent company Black Hills Bentonite LLC, which is, in turn, leasing said site from the State of Wyoming.

In September of last year, DEQ directo...