[AMCOL Letterhead]

March 13, 2006

VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-0306

Attention:  Ms. April Sifford, Branch Chief

Re:         AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
            Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004
            Filed March 31, 2005
            Form 10-K/A for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004
            Filed April 29, 2005
            Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended June 30, 2005
            Filed August 1, 2005 (collectively, the "Filings")
            File No. 001-14447

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Pursuant to our discussions with Ryan Milne, we hereby advise you that
AMCOL International Corporation intends to submit its response to the
Commission's comment letter dated February 23, 2006 by March 17, 2006.

        If you have any questions regarding these matters or require any
additional information, please contact me at 847-506-6171.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Gary L. Castagna
-----------------------------
Gary L. Castagna
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer