PBS documentary brings Wyoming’s trona miners to the big screen
ROCK SPRINGS — A new Wyoming PBS documentary is heading underground to spotlight the people behind one of the state’s most essential and least understood industries: trona mining.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, the public is invited to the world premiere of “Afar and Below: The Story of the Wyoming Trona Miners” at the Broadway Theater in Rock Springs.
The free event begins at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the screening at 6 p.m., and concludes with a panel discussion moderated by Rock Springs native and filmmaker Mark Pedri of Burning Torch Productions.
“We’re incredibly proud to host this world premiere in Sweetwater County, home to generations of trona miners featured in the film. This unique industry and its dedication to Wyoming’s economic stability are critical to our state and nation,” says Wyoming PBS CEO Joanna Kail.
Trona is an essential mineral used in everyday products such as glass, toothpaste, and paper. The film takes viewers deep underground to explore the vast subterranean world where miners extract this vital resource — fueling a $470 million and growing industry that supports Wyoming communities through jobs, tax revenues, and royalties.
The hour-long documentary features stories from dozens of miners, including multi-generational mining families, offering a rare and intimate look at the people behind this powerful industry. Viewers will also learn about the area’s geology and how it contributes to Sweetwater County being considered the trona capital of the world.
“Afar and Below” will premiere on Wyoming PBS at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 29.
This story was published on Oct. 15, 2025.