Searchlight Minerals Corp.

2441 West Horizon Ridge Pkwy., Suite 120

Henderson, Nevada 89052

(702) 939-5247

October 1, 2009

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporate Finance

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549-0404

Attn: Russell Mancuso, Legal Branch Chief

Re:      Searchlight Minerals Corp.

Registration Statement on Form S-1/A

(File No. 333-132929)

DearMr. Mancuso:

Searchlight Minerals Corp. hereby requests that the effective date of the above-referenced Registration Statementon Form S-1 (File No. 333-132929) be accelerated to Friday, October 2, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), or as soon thereafter as is practicable.  We are separately enclosing the additional acknowledgement letter, as requested in the Staff's correspondence, dated October 1, 2009, in connection with such request for acceleration.

Please contact Jeffrey P. Berg of Baker & Hostetler LLP at (310) 820-8800 if you have any further questions.

SEARCHLIGHT MINERALS CORP.

By:  /s/ Ian R. McNeil

Ian R. McNeil

Chief Executive Officer

CC:  CARL S. AGER

KRISTIN LOCHHEAD

JOSEPH MCCANN

MELVIN L. WILLIAMS