The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on the proposed second expansion of the Castle Mountain gold mine in San Bernardino County, according to an April 17 announcement. The Castle Mountain Mine Phase 2 Project marks the first BLM mining project to receive full coverage as a FAST-41 project, a designation aimed at increasing government transparency and supporting efforts to boost American mineral production.
The proposal would allow Castle Mountain Venture to expand open pit mining activities within the existing 3,910-acre mine plan boundary by an additional 1,800 acres. If approved, this would increase the annual mining rate by four times. The project is expected to create approximately 500 construction jobs and another 400 support jobs across California and Nevada. Once operational, it would employ about 273 onsite workers.
The BLM said that these steps are part of broader efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign minerals, enhance national security, and create new jobs. Public comments can be submitted through the ‘Participate Now’ option at the BLM National NEPA Register or delivered directly to the BLM Needles Field Office by June 1.
Further information about the draft environmental impact statement and submission instructions are available from the BLM Needles Field Office or its website. The agency manages around 245 million acres of public land primarily in western states including Alaska and oversees about 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate nationwide.
The comment period for this phase will close on June 1.
