Basalt, Nevada

Basalt History

In 1945 Dicalite Company purchased the mining claims in Basalt, Nevada from the U.S. Diatom Company. We currently own and operate the plant and it’s the fourth oldest continually operated mine in the state of Nevada.

The Basalt mine is located in the Mina Deflection or southern portion of the Walker Lane Belt which is characterized by shear faulting. It was upon these volcanic formations that an isolated lake bed developed and diatoms flourished. These diatoms are single-celled organisms and typically 50 to 150 microns in size.

Processing of diatomaceous earth to meet customer specifications is as much of an art as it is a science. Most products at Basalt are manufactured to individual customer needs. Processing of the diatomite is done by one of two methods, depending upon the type of product to be produced. Two varieties of diatomaceous earth are made at Basalt: calcined and natural.

Applications and Uses

Dicalite Natural Diatomaceous Earth has a variety of uses in:

• Animal Feed Additives
• Cement and Concrete
• Consumer Products
• Desiccants Coatings
• Mild Abrasive Applications
• Polishing Compounds
• Seed Coatings
• Soil Amendments

For further information on Dicalite Natural Diatomaceous Earth products please contact us below. Calcined and Natural Diatomaceous Earth samples are available upon request.