NEEDLES – (INT) – Plans have been announced, and public comment is welcome, for the expansion of the Castle Mountain gold mine near Needles in the eastern San Bernardino County desert.

The proposal would expand the mine by 1,800 acres and increase the annual mining rate by four times. The existing 3,910-acre mine plan boundary covers 3,910 acres.

The Bureau of Land Management said the project is in response to administration efforts to increase American mineral production, reduce U.S. reliance on foreign minerals, enhance national security, and create jobs.

The project is expected to create roughly 500 construction jobs and an additional 400 support jobs in California and Nevada. Once fully operational, the mine is projected to employ 273 onsite workers.

Story Date: May 8, 2026