Emergency Court Action Sought to Protect Mojave National Preserve From Mining Damage

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to immediately stop mining operations at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve, alleging the Trump administration's approval of the project violates multiple federal laws. The mine, located in the Clark Mountains near Amboy in Kern County, ceased operations in 1993, and the National Park Service was in the final stages of reclaiming the site for public use.

However, in April 2025, the Trump administration reversed course and approved new mining activities, leading to grading, bulldozing, and road construction that have caused documented, irreparable damage to the fragile desert landscape and restricted public access to the preserve. Represented by Earthjustice, the NPCA filed a lawsuit in April challenging the decision, and the new injunction request urges the court to intervene before further harm occurs.

The 1994 California Desert Protection Act designated the area for perpetual preservation, and the NPCA argues that the mining operations directly contradict that congressional mandate. Chance Wilcox, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager, described the situation as 'gut-wrenching,' noting that parts of the Clark Mountains are being stripped bare and graded down to dirt.

Katrina Tomas, an Earthjustice attorney, emphasized that bulldozing and road construction will irreversibly harm the desert landscape, and the mine is proceeding in violation of national environmental laws.