EXHIBIT 16.1

March 29, 2006
Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C.  20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:

We were previously principal accountants for AMCOL International Corporation
and, under the date of March 16, 2006, we reported on the consolidated financial
statements of AMCOL International Corporation as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004, management's assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2005. On March 25, 2006, our appointment as principal accountants was
terminated. We have read AMCOL International Corporation's statements included
under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated March 29, 2006, and we agree with such
statements, except we are not in a position to agree or disagree with the
statement that the change was approved by the audit committee of the board of
directors or the statements contained in Item 4.01 (b).

Very truly yours,

/s/ KPMG LLP