XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 369
to build a more sustainable future (Skauge 2019). As the
global energy transition accelerates, space mining gains
importance as a potential solution to meet the rising
demand for critical minerals. Unlike traditional mining,
space mining could offer a more sustainable and environ-
mentally friendly source by avoiding surface extraction and
land clearance (MacWhorter 2015).
There have been some advances in space mining tech-
nology, but the industry is still in its early stages. Currently,
NASA, SpaceX and Blue Origin have launched an aggres-
sive agenda of launching satellites that are equipped with the
technology to explore and ultimately assess the likelihood
of extracting extraterrestrial resources (Black, Slapakova,
and Martin 2022 Skauge 2019). These organizations are
developing and designing spacecraft, mining equipment,
and other technologies that can be used for space mining
(Zhang et al., 2021).
Research Aim and Objectives
This thesis aims to explore the potential of space mining
resources for contributing to the energy transition on earth.
Specifically, the research will focus on evaluating the key
critical minerals that could be responsibly obtained from
space, using advanced extraction methods to aid green
energy technologies. The new knowledge developed in this
thesis is critical in increasing our understanding of space
mining opportunities. To achieve this aim, the following
objectives will be addressed:
• Review the potential resources available for space
mining. This involves developing a better under-
standing of potential sources of rare earth elements
(REE), and other critical minerals (e.g., nickel,
cobalt, iron, chromium and magnesium) in space.
• Explore the technologies for space mining. This
includes exploring potential methods for extract-
ing and processing resources from space, taking into
account the logistics systems.
• Evaluate the chemical and mineralogical composi-
tion of a lunar meteorite sample. This will include the
application of bulk and surface analytical techniques.
Key Research Questions
To address the above research’s aim and objectives, the fol-
lowing key research questions will be answered:
• Can space mining contribute to a successful clean
energy transition on earth? What are the key ben-
efits of integrating space mining into clean energy
options? Do lunar meteorite sample show presence
of critical minerals?
• What is the current state of space mining and
the technology available for the exploitation and
extraction of minerals? What are the technological
advancements needed to process metals on the moon
with low availability of water?
• What are the environmental impacts of space min-
ing activities? How can they be reduced to enable
effective space mining conditions for clean energy
transition?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Climate Change
In the book “Afterburn: Society Beyond Fossil Fuels”
Heinberg (2015) addresses the overwhelming issues of cli-
mate change and the depletion of the world’s remaining fos-
sil fuel reserves. He commences his argument by expressing
that although the world’s population continues to swell and
the energy demand continues to expand, our finite source
of fuel (fossil fuels) is diminishing. He describes that if we
are to shift to a new and sustainable clean energy source,
a quick change is essential (Heinberg 2015). The world’s
existing energy system is vulnerable to its dependence on
exhausting non-renewable, which produce climate-altering
greenhouse gases (GHGs). To counteract this environmen-
tal risk, the international community has pledged to reduce
their reliance on these resources (Soros 2007). Nevertheless,
a successful transition to clean energy sources requires the
accessibility and availability of critical minerals and met-
als, such as lithium, copper, nickel, rare earth elements and
cobalt (Haque et al., 2014 KAKIŞIM 2021 Sovacool et
al., 2020). These critical minerals are essential components
for the manufacture of electric vehicles (EV), electronics
ships, computers, the power grid, magnets, engines(Tyagi
et al., 2023), satellites, semiconductors, batteries, sensors,
telecommunications tools, fibre optics, catalysts, integrated
circuits, GPS navigation, and alloys in steel and aluminium
that utilizing in solar and wind power directly or indirectly
(Haque et al., 2014 KAKIŞIM 2021 Sovacool et al.,
2020).
Space Mining
As the traditional methods of acquiring these materials
become gradually scarcer, space mining has arisen as an
attractive solution, offering greater accessibility and sus-
tainability, as well as potential new ways for countries to
decrease their reliance on other nations for these resources
(Hellgren 2016 Henckens 2021 Huber and Steininger
2022 del Real, Barakos, and Mischo 2020 Ross 2001b
Skauge 2019 Sterling Saletta and Orrman-Rossiter 2018b).
to build a more sustainable future (Skauge 2019). As the
global energy transition accelerates, space mining gains
importance as a potential solution to meet the rising
demand for critical minerals. Unlike traditional mining,
space mining could offer a more sustainable and environ-
mentally friendly source by avoiding surface extraction and
land clearance (MacWhorter 2015).
There have been some advances in space mining tech-
nology, but the industry is still in its early stages. Currently,
NASA, SpaceX and Blue Origin have launched an aggres-
sive agenda of launching satellites that are equipped with the
technology to explore and ultimately assess the likelihood
of extracting extraterrestrial resources (Black, Slapakova,
and Martin 2022 Skauge 2019). These organizations are
developing and designing spacecraft, mining equipment,
and other technologies that can be used for space mining
(Zhang et al., 2021).
Research Aim and Objectives
This thesis aims to explore the potential of space mining
resources for contributing to the energy transition on earth.
Specifically, the research will focus on evaluating the key
critical minerals that could be responsibly obtained from
space, using advanced extraction methods to aid green
energy technologies. The new knowledge developed in this
thesis is critical in increasing our understanding of space
mining opportunities. To achieve this aim, the following
objectives will be addressed:
• Review the potential resources available for space
mining. This involves developing a better under-
standing of potential sources of rare earth elements
(REE), and other critical minerals (e.g., nickel,
cobalt, iron, chromium and magnesium) in space.
• Explore the technologies for space mining. This
includes exploring potential methods for extract-
ing and processing resources from space, taking into
account the logistics systems.
• Evaluate the chemical and mineralogical composi-
tion of a lunar meteorite sample. This will include the
application of bulk and surface analytical techniques.
Key Research Questions
To address the above research’s aim and objectives, the fol-
lowing key research questions will be answered:
• Can space mining contribute to a successful clean
energy transition on earth? What are the key ben-
efits of integrating space mining into clean energy
options? Do lunar meteorite sample show presence
of critical minerals?
• What is the current state of space mining and
the technology available for the exploitation and
extraction of minerals? What are the technological
advancements needed to process metals on the moon
with low availability of water?
• What are the environmental impacts of space min-
ing activities? How can they be reduced to enable
effective space mining conditions for clean energy
transition?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Climate Change
In the book “Afterburn: Society Beyond Fossil Fuels”
Heinberg (2015) addresses the overwhelming issues of cli-
mate change and the depletion of the world’s remaining fos-
sil fuel reserves. He commences his argument by expressing
that although the world’s population continues to swell and
the energy demand continues to expand, our finite source
of fuel (fossil fuels) is diminishing. He describes that if we
are to shift to a new and sustainable clean energy source,
a quick change is essential (Heinberg 2015). The world’s
existing energy system is vulnerable to its dependence on
exhausting non-renewable, which produce climate-altering
greenhouse gases (GHGs). To counteract this environmen-
tal risk, the international community has pledged to reduce
their reliance on these resources (Soros 2007). Nevertheless,
a successful transition to clean energy sources requires the
accessibility and availability of critical minerals and met-
als, such as lithium, copper, nickel, rare earth elements and
cobalt (Haque et al., 2014 KAKIŞIM 2021 Sovacool et
al., 2020). These critical minerals are essential components
for the manufacture of electric vehicles (EV), electronics
ships, computers, the power grid, magnets, engines(Tyagi
et al., 2023), satellites, semiconductors, batteries, sensors,
telecommunications tools, fibre optics, catalysts, integrated
circuits, GPS navigation, and alloys in steel and aluminium
that utilizing in solar and wind power directly or indirectly
(Haque et al., 2014 KAKIŞIM 2021 Sovacool et al.,
2020).
Space Mining
As the traditional methods of acquiring these materials
become gradually scarcer, space mining has arisen as an
attractive solution, offering greater accessibility and sus-
tainability, as well as potential new ways for countries to
decrease their reliance on other nations for these resources
(Hellgren 2016 Henckens 2021 Huber and Steininger
2022 del Real, Barakos, and Mischo 2020 Ross 2001b
Skauge 2019 Sterling Saletta and Orrman-Rossiter 2018b).