The BLM approves next steps for Castle Mine drilling program
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Needles Field Office released an Environmental Assessment for the Castle Mountain Venture (CMV) Mine Phase III exploration drilling program, authorizing CMV legal access to commence its drilling program on BLM-managed public lands located 18 miles northeast of Nipton, San Bernardino County.
The Castle Mine drilling project consists of 85-90 drill pads, each targeted to a depth of approximately 1,500 feet, with connecting roads on approximately 20 acres of land. No planned pads or roads are within the recently designated Castle Mountains National Monument, or the Castle Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Total cumulative drilling areas under the Phase I/II/III drilling programs will be approximately 63 acres.
In 2013, CMV received approvals to conduct its Phases I and II exploration drilling programs, consisting of 42.8 acres. CMV is now nearing completion of these latest drilling programs and will continue drilling under the Phase III drilling program for the exploration of mineral resources in an area defined as the Castle Mountain Mine.
The BLM Needles Field Office approved the original and revised Plan of Operations for the Castle Mountain Mine in 1990 and 1998 respectively, and the county approved the Mining and Reclamation Plan in 1990 and with revisions in 1998 and 2013. Gold was first discovered in the Hart Mining District in late 1907 and following several cycles of boom and bust, modern exploration began in the early 1980’s by predecessors of CMV.
The administration’s energy plan is an all-of-the-above plan that includes oil and gas, coal, strategic minerals, and renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar – all of which can be developed on public lands.
For more information, contact Stephen Razo, 951-697-5217, srazo@blm.gov. The environmental assessment can be viewed at: https://go.usa.gov/xPxEf.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.