The Goldome Mill is an abandoned modern mill site in the New York mountains of San Bernardino, California just off of the Ivanpah Road. The site was abandoned in the 1998 following the formation of the Mojave National Preserve by the California Desert Protection Act in 1994 and has slowly fallen into a state of decay. The mill site is currently classified as a Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency which means that the site is known to contain hazardous waste which is improperly contained.
The mill was named Goldome, meaning “an abnormal growth of gold” out of an optimism as to the fortunes of those who invested in this venture. The construction of the site is very modern and industrial in appearance. All of the buildings are of metal construction and probably built during the late 1970s or early 1980s. All of the milling equipment, such as the trommel and sluice boxes appear to silently rest in state. This site was likely the mill site of choice for near by mines of its era, such as the Morning Start Mine
Establishment and Operations
The Goldome Mill was constructed in the late 1970s or early 1980s, during a period of renewed interest in gold mining driven by economic factors and technological advancements. The mill’s modern, industrial design featured metal buildings, a stark contrast to the wooden stamp mills of earlier eras, such as the Lost Horse Gold Mill in Twentynine Palms. The facility was equipped with advanced processing equipment, including an ore dump and grizzly, a long conveyor to a giant ball mill, froth flotation cells, filters, and large cyanidation tanks for gold extraction. A control panel with a mimic board in the mill office allowed operators to oversee the entire operation.
The milling process began with ore being fed into the grizzly, transported via conveyor to the ball mill for grinding, and then processed through froth flotation to separate gold-bearing minerals. The resulting slurry was treated in cyanidation tanks, where cyanide leached gold from the ore, a common method in modern gold mining despite its environmental risks. The mill’s capacity was significant, making it one of the largest and most advanced milling operations in the region, capable of processing large volumes of ore. However, specific production figures for the Goldome Mill are not well-documented, likely due to its short operational period.
The mill was operated by a company, likely a corporate entity such as those common in San Bernardino County’s mining landscape (e.g., Castle Mountain Venture or PAN American Minerals Inc.), though exact ownership details are scarce. The name “Goldome,” meaning “an abnormal growth of gold,” reflected the optimism of investors hoping to capitalize on the region’s mineral wealth. The mill processed ore from nearby gold claims in the New York Mountains, an area with a history of small-scale prospecting but limited large-scale success.
Environmental and Regulatory Challenges
The Goldome Mill’s operations were curtailed by environmental and regulatory factors. The establishment of the Mojave National Preserve in 1994 restricted mining activities, as new claims were prohibited, and existing operations faced increased scrutiny. By 1998, the mill was abandoned, likely due to a combination of declining ore quality, rising operational costs, and regulatory pressures. The site’s designation as a Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that it contains hazardous waste, likely from cyanide used in gold extraction, which was improperly contained. The presence of half-full cyanidation tanks and other hazardous materials has made the site a concern for environmental cleanup efforts.
The harsh Mojave Desert environment has also contributed to the site’s deterioration. While the metal structures remain intact, the mill has been heavily vandalized and looted, with graffiti and scattered debris marking the site. Explorers have noted hazards such as a large beehive in the main building, which has deterred some from fully investigating the interior. Despite these challenges, the mill’s open layout and intact equipment make it a compelling site for historians and urban explorers.
Decline and Abandonment
The Goldome Mill ceased operations by 1998, a mere two decades after its construction, reflecting the transient nature of modern mining ventures in the region. Several factors contributed to its closure. First, the quality of gold ore in the New York Mountains may have been insufficient to sustain large-scale milling, as many San Bernardino County mines struggled with low-grade deposits. Second, the economic viability of the operation was likely undermined by fluctuating gold prices and high maintenance costs for the sophisticated equipment. Finally, the creation of the Mojave National Preserve imposed strict regulations, limiting access to new claims and increasing environmental compliance costs.
After abandonment, the mill fell into disrepair, with its tunnels sealed but the milling operation left accessible. The site’s isolation and lack of fencing have made it vulnerable to vandalism, yet its robust construction has preserved much of the infrastructure, including the ball mill, flotation cells, and cyanidation tanks. The absence of gates or fences along the access road has allowed explorers to visit, though the EPA’s Superfund designation underscores the need for caution due to hazardous materials.
In 2017, political vandals posing as “street artists” decided on their own to deface the site as part of their environmental message and forever changed the face of this site. The mill at Goldmine is heavily vandalized and at the time of our visit during the riots following the murder of George Floyd gave the site an uneasy felling. It is not too far a reach to understand that they vandals who defaced this site could be burning our cities down.
During our visit to the site, a large swam of bees built a hive in the main building. This prevented me from entering and exploring further, however, I will return to do so, at some point.
Goldome Mill Map
Recently, I discovered that a youtube channel called Jessie’s Drone Adventures referenced our site in the video 10 ABANDONED Places in California….You should NEVER Explore! in Jessie video, Golddoom is referenced as number four on this list.
![Borate & Daggett Heisler locomotive #2 "Francis" (s/n 1026), at Daggett, California in 1910. The locomotive helped to construct the Death Valley Railroad in 1913, before being sold to the Nevada Short Line Railway in 1916 where it retained its number #2.[4] It ended its days working for the Terry Lumber Company (later Red River) at Round Mountain, California until about 1925.](https://i0.wp.com/www.destination4x4.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Borate__Daggett_No._2_Francis_stored_at_Daggett_CA.png?resize=796%2C370&ssl=1)
