EXHIBIT 23


                               Consent of KPMG LLP



The Board of Directors
AMCOL International


We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (Nos.
33-34109,  33-55540,  33-73350 and 333-56017) on Form S-8 of AMCOL International
Corporation  of our report  dated March 2, 2000,  relating  to the  consolidated
balance  sheets  of  AMCOL  International  Corporation  and  subsidiaries  as of
December  31,  1999  and  1998,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of
operations,  comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each
of the years in the  three-year  period ended  December  31,  1999,  and related
schedule  which report  appears in the December 31, 1999,  annual report on Form
10-K of AMCOL International Corporation.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Chicago, Illinois
March 2, 2000