---

CERTIFICATIONS

I, K. Ian Matheson, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
  Financial Officer of Searchlight Minerals Corp. (the "Registrant"), certify
  that;

|(1) | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report
        on Form 10-QSB of the Registrant;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
|--- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   
|(2) | Based on my knowledge, this report does
        not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
        material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
        under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
        the period covered by this report;
|   
|(3) | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements,
        and other financial information included in this report, fairly present
        in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations
        and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented
        in this report;                   
|   
|(4) | I am responsible for establishing and
        maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)
        and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the Registrant
        and have:                                                                                                            
|   
|    | a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|   
|    | b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|   
|    | c)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|   
|(5) | I have disclosed, based on my most recent
        evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's
        auditors and the audit committee of Registrant's board of directors (or
        persons performing the equivalent functions):                                                                  
|   
|    | a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|   
|    | b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|   

|Date:  | August 19, 2005            
|------ | ---------------------------
|      
|      
|      
|       | /s/ K. Ian Matheson        
|By:    | K. IAN MATHESON            
|Title: | Chief Executive Officer    
|       | and Chief Financial Officer

---