Barretts Minerals faces lawsuits over contaminated talc and is considering bankruptcy to sell its assets for the benefit of the trust. The talc supplier’s asbestos trust fund will handle claims tied to asbestos in its products.
Written by D. Carl Money | Scientifically Reviewed by Dr. Rupesh Kotecha | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update:
Founded:
1992
Years Operated:
1992-Present (as Minerals Technologies Inc.)
Headquarters:
Dillon, MT
Business:
Talc mining, nonmetallic mining mineral mining and quarrying
Asbestos Trust:
No
Bankruptcy Status:
Filed
Barretts Minerals is in the middle of a bankruptcy case. The company hopes the sale of the company will generate enough proceeds to create a Barretts Minerals asbestos trust fund. This would provide compensation to claimants diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos via Barretts Minerals’ contaminated talc.
The company auctioned off its assets and reported in mid-March 2024 that Riverspan Partners won with an offer of $32 million. The amount intended to fund the asbestos trust fund remains unknown, but it’s likely to operate similarly to other trust funds. These trusts set aside large amounts of money to compensate eligible current and future claimants.
Most trusts operate on a first-come, first-served basis, providing payment amounts based on the type and severity of disease. The volume of potential claims also affects the payouts because the trust may cap compensation at a certain percentage to maintain funds.
People exposed to Barretts Minerals asbestos products who later develop mesothelioma or lung cancer benefit from skilled legal help. Your mesothelioma lawyer will review your work history and gather your medical records.
Because workers often face contact with asbestos from multiple companies, your legal team will investigate all potentially responsible parties. You may be eligible to take action against more than one company with other asbestos trust funds or lawsuits against other companies as options. Your lawyer can also help you file for workers’ compensation.
Contact a Patient Advocate any time for personalized assistance finding the right lawyer for you and your family who is familiar with Barretts Minerals talc claims and litigation. Your Patient Advocate will also provide 24/7 support, connections with mesothelioma specialists, introductions to survivor and caregiver support groups and guidance navigating insurance and VA benefits claims.
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
Get Help NowLawsuits against Barretts Minerals claim personal injuries from exposure to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder. Plaintiffs named Barretts Minerals and other asbestos companies in multiple pending lawsuits citing exposure from asbestos-containing talc and other products.
Lawsuits Against Barretts Minerals
Most plaintiff claims report asbestos exposure through employment at the mine or plant or from products containing asbestos. In the case of Barretts Minerals, the claimants allege the talc contained asbestos, and they suffered serious health consequences because of the contamination.
Mineral Technologies released multiple statements claiming the lawsuits have no merit, and that its products are safe and thoroughly tested for asbestos. Despite these assurances and intent to continue operations, Barretts announced its decision to sell the company, file for bankruptcy and create an asbestos trust fund to resolve its liabilities.
Barretts Minerals’ talc mining and processing exposed workers and consumers to asbestos-contaminated products. The company started in 1992 in Dillon, Montana, under Minerals Technologies Inc., which Pfizer formerly owned. In June 2023, Minerals Technologies announced Barretts Minerals will exit the talc business.
Barretts Minerals mined talc from Regal and Treasure mines in the Ruby Mountains. Trucks moved the ore 8 miles to a plant for crushing, grinding, drying and railroad shipment. The company supplied talc for uses like coatings on gums and tablets, cosmetics, body powders, plastics, paints and ceramics for automotive catalytic converters.
Talc and asbestos form close together in the earth, so talc deposits are often contaminated with asbestos. Workers who crushed, ground and shipped talc faced high exposure risks that led to mesothelioma and other cancers in some cases.
Consumers who purchased products made with Barretts Minerals talc also reported injuries. Products in question include: cosmetics, body powders, paints, plastics, ceramics and pharmaceutical coatings.
The process of mining, processing and shipping talc created many occupations with a high risk of asbestos exposure. Employees exposed to contaminated talc and to the products made from this talc began to develop symptoms of diseases associated with asbestos, including mesothelioma.
Higher Risk Occupations
Although the company has stopped selling talc for use in cosmetics, many other products still contain the material. Barretts currently has more than 500 lawsuits pending against it.
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Asbestos.com. (2026, January 21). Barretts Minerals Trust Fund and Lawsuits. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/companies/barretts-minerals/
"Barretts Minerals Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Asbestos.com, 21 Jan 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/companies/barretts-minerals/.
Asbestos.com. "Barretts Minerals Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Last modified January 21, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/companies/barretts-minerals/.
Dr. Rupesh Kotecha is a renowned radiation oncologist in leadership roles at Miami Cancer Institute. He is an associate professor at Florida International University's college of medicine and an adjunct faculty member at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
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