Proposed Pumice mine in Inyo County
Credit: Randall Porter, BLM

July 19, 2021 - RIDGECREST, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office has approved the plan for a proposed pumice mine in the Coso Mountains, south of Owens Lake.

The decision authorizes Southwest Pumice, LLC, to mine up to 25 acres and 100,000 tons of pumice on BLM-managed public lands in Inyo County, California. The Makayla II mine proposal includes some previously mined areas. The environmental assessment analyzed impacts to resources including special areas, special status plant and animal species, and cultural concerns. 

The decision record, finding of no significant impact, environmental assessment, and associated documents are available via ePlanning at https://go.usa.gov/x6BfK.  For more information about the project please contact Randall Porter, Geologist, at rporter@blm.gov.
Source: BLM