Public Lands in Imperial County
BLM photo by Randall Porter, BLM Geologist RFO.

August 27, 2023 - RIDGECREST, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has issued approval to Gold Discovery Group to proceed with exploratory drilling for gold on their existing mining claims on BLM-managed public lands north of Johannesburg in Kern and San Bernardino counties. The project area is in the Fremont-Kramer Area of Critical Environmental Concern and includes design features that avoid or mitigate potential conflicts with natural and cultural resources.

“BLM carefully analyzed the scope of this project and the potential impacts to the Mojave desert tortoise and their habitat,” said Acting Ridgecrest Field Manager Tom Bickauskas. “Several management actions are required, including the presence of an on-site biologist, restoration of disturbed areas, and avoidance of unnecessary surface disturbance to ensure the safety of desert tortoises and their habitat.” 

The decision allows the company to drill up to 293 shallow holes and temporarily disturb approximately 15 acres of BLM-managed public lands. Each drill site and any associated vehicle tracks will be reclaimed as the project progresses – no road or drill pad construction will result from this activity. The project is located within an area that has been extensively mined in the past.

The 30-day public comment period on the Environmental Assessment for this project ended on March 27. The environmental assessment and the Decision Record are available on the BLM National NEPA Register website and at the Ridgecrest Field Office located at 300 S. Richmond Road in Ridgecrest.
Source: BLM