Massive Gold-Mining Operations Proposed In The Inland Empire

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — Under an emergency order issued earlier this year, the Trump administration is seeking to increase American mineral production — with California eyed for several large-scale mining operations, including in the Inland Empire.

Take Friday's announcement from the Bureau of Land Management. The federal agency announced it was seeking public comment on a proposed expansion of the Castle Mountain gold and silver mine near Nipton in San Bernardino County.

If approved, Castle Mountain Ventures, a subsidiary of Canadian-based Equinox Gold Corp., could add 1,800 acres of public lands to the mine’s overall footprint of 3,294 acres.

The expansion would quadruple the expected annual mining rate in the area from 18 million to 80 million tons, according to the BLM.

The proposed project and others like it in California and across the country support President Trump’s Executive Order 14241 titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” aimed at boosting domestic mineral production. The order, issued March 20, references the president's Jan. 20 national energy emergency, which paves the way for vast mining projects on public lands.

A rising gold price and policies that favor its mining in the United States are reviving interest in California's historic industry, with companies poised for growth and communities like San Bernardino County expected to feel possible impacts.

For example, on July 31, the BLM announced it was also seeking public comment on a proposed mining project for the Persistence Mine in San Bernardino County. Gold Discovery Group requested approval of its plan of operations for a 128-acre gold mining operation on BLM-managed public land in the Atolia area. Atolia is a ghost town located in the northwestern part of the county, famous for its history as a tungsten mining hub in the early 20th century.

The project involves using open pits and strip mining, according to an Aug. 15 letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to the county of San Bernardino.

Last month, the BLM also approved the Mesa Gold mining project on 5 acres in the El Paso Mountains in Kern County, and Mojave Precious Metals Inc. is currently in the permitting process with the BLM for expanded gold exploration drilling on public lands in Inyo County near Lone Pine. The latter project involves drilling up to 120 holes at 30 locations.

Gold and silver aren't the only minerals sought in California. In July, the BLM approved St. Cloud Mining’s mining exploration project adjacent to its existing mine in Inyo County. The company is authorized to drill 43 exploratory drill holes to explore for clinoptilolite, a mineral widely used in many industries to control moisture, capture odors, and neutralize potentially harmful compounds.

The exploration is occurring within the BLM’s Amargosa North Area of Critical Environmental Concern, east of Death Valley Junction.

In April, the Department of the Interior announced that Dateline Resources can resume operations at the massive Colosseum Mine in San Bernardino County.

"The resumption of mining at Colosseum Mine, America’s second rare earth elements mine, supports efforts to bolster America’s capacity to produce the critical materials needed to manufacture the technologies to power our future," according to a DOI news release.

"By recognizing the mine’s continued right to extract and explore rare earth elements, Interior continues to support industries that boost the nation’s economy and protect national security," the news release continued.

The Colosseum Mine lies within the old Clark Mountain mining district, which has produced silver, gold, copper, lead, tungsten and fluorite at various times over the last 120 years.

The Interior Department said earlier this year that it would fast-track minerals projects on public lands, arguing that President Trump's declaration of an energy emergency allowed it to drastically shorten environmental review periods.

"The United States cannot afford to wait," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a released statement.

The administration argues that the mining will reduce U.S. reliance on foreign minerals, enhance national security, and create jobs.

The fast-tracking includes financial incentives for mining companies, which could be partially funded with taxpayer dollars, according to Trump's "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production."

When asked about whether there is a marked increase in California mining proposals on public lands since Trump took office earlier this year, a request for comment from the BLM press office was not immediately returned amid the government shutdown. Available public documents suggest a sharp uptick in project proposals that are moving forward, though it's unknown how many mining operations might succeed.

An annual deadline pushes mine operators on public lands to work with the federal government: Claimants who wanted to retain mining claims on public lands through the 2026 assessment year had to pay a fee or file a waiver on or before Sept. 2 to prevent their mining claims from being declared forfeit and void by the government.

Note: The BLM and San Bernardino County will hold a hybrid in-person and virtual public meeting from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, regarding the Castle Mountain gold and silver mine near Nipton in San Bernardino County. The meeting will take place at the Searchlight Community Center, 200 Michael Wendell Way, Searchlight, NV 89046. The virtual participation option will be via Zoom (register to attend).