XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 371
Space Resources
Asteroids
Asteroid mining could be a key driver of future economic
activity in space. Sonter (2006) has noted that asteroids are
a relatively abundant and accessible source and that the cost
of mining them could be significantly lower than the cost
of mining on earth or the moon. Meanwhile, ÖZMEN
(2022) debates that the primary challenge encountered in
the space mining industry pertains to assessing the eco-
nomic viability, including the estimation of projected costs
associated with large-scale operations and predicting the
market value of the acquired materials, taking into account
their impact on the market. Oxford Analytics agrees that
the substantial cost serves as a hindrance to the expansion
of space economy mining (Analytica 2018). However,
Sonter (2006) argues that asteroid mining could help to
address some of the challenges of space exploration, such
as the need for a reliable source of water, metals and fuel.
He suggests that asteroids could be mined for water, which
could be used to support human life in space, and for fuel,
metals which could be used to power spacecraft and build
settlements. One of the energy uses of metals in space is to
develop technology such as Solar Power Satellite Stations
SPSS (Dhinakaran and Arul Daniel, 2021). It is a space-
based technology designed to capture solar energy in outer
space and transmit it wirelessly to earth for widespread
clean energy generation.
Types of Asteroids
The three main categories of asteroids consist of C-type
(chondritic) asteroids, primarily composed of silicates
S-type (stony) asteroids, a blend of silicate material and
iron-nickel metal and M-type (metallic) asteroids, pre-
dominantly comprising metal (Ross 2001b). The selec-
tion of the targeted asteroid type depends on the specific
resources sought for extraction. The latter M-type asteroids
harbor significant concentrations of specific elements that
are comparatively scarce in the earth’s crust, rendering them
appealing prospects (Chodas 2019 Dallas et al., 2021).
Nevertheless, M-type asteroids are the least abundant
among the three asteroid types, constituting only a small
fraction of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) (Ross 2001b).
Also, S-type asteroids encompass approximately 20% free
metal, while C-type asteroids comprise up to 10% free
metal (Dallas et al., 2021). It is believed through research
observation of M-type asteroids that it has metallic-rich
minerals that may contribute to the energy industry.
REE on Moon (KREEP)
Another area in the space where more evidence of REEs
present is the KREEP. It is a term derived from the ini-
tials of its components: “potassium (K), rare earth elements
(REEs), and phosphorus (P).” This term describes a distinc-
tive form of geochemical enrichment observed in certain
lunar rocks and the loose surface material known as regolith
on the Moon. Several studies have indicated traces of criti-
cal minerals as shown in Table 3.
According to Mcleod and Krekeler (2017), elements
like Dy, Eu, Nd, Tb, and Y are of significant value to clean
energy technologies and are currently facing high supply
risks in both the short term and medium term, as indicated
Figure 4 A, B (McLeod and Krekeler 2017). By leverag-
ing the resources especially REE available in space, we can
potentially enhance our understanding of the universe, and
metal exploration, and pave the way for sustainable and
self-sufficient space endeavours.
In summary, space offers access to resources like
KREEP and chondritic meteorites. Space mining, particu-
larly for critical minerals, could revolutionize resource sup-
ply, reducing reliance on earth and fostering a sustainable,
equitable, and eco-friendly energy future.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology for conducting this comprehensive
study on space mining and energy transition focuses on
two primary sources of information: 1. a literature review
of existing research, and 2. a lab examination of meteorite
concentration of critical minerals from the lunar surface.
The combined use of these methodologies aims to provide
Table 1. The number of metals used varies by renewable technology kg/MW
kg/MW Copper Nickel Manganese Cobalt Chromium Molybdenum Zinc REE
Offshore wind 8,000 240 790 0 525 109 5,500 239
Onshore wind 2,900 404 780 0 470 99 5,500 14
Solar PV 2,822 1.3 0 0 0 0 30 0
Nuclear 1,473 1297 148 0 2,190 70 0 0.5
Electric car 53.2 8.9 39.9 24.5 13.3 66.3 0.1 0.5
Total 15,248.3 1,951.1 1,757.59 24.5 3,198.3 345.1 11,030.09 254
Source: (IEA 2022)
Space Resources
Asteroids
Asteroid mining could be a key driver of future economic
activity in space. Sonter (2006) has noted that asteroids are
a relatively abundant and accessible source and that the cost
of mining them could be significantly lower than the cost
of mining on earth or the moon. Meanwhile, ÖZMEN
(2022) debates that the primary challenge encountered in
the space mining industry pertains to assessing the eco-
nomic viability, including the estimation of projected costs
associated with large-scale operations and predicting the
market value of the acquired materials, taking into account
their impact on the market. Oxford Analytics agrees that
the substantial cost serves as a hindrance to the expansion
of space economy mining (Analytica 2018). However,
Sonter (2006) argues that asteroid mining could help to
address some of the challenges of space exploration, such
as the need for a reliable source of water, metals and fuel.
He suggests that asteroids could be mined for water, which
could be used to support human life in space, and for fuel,
metals which could be used to power spacecraft and build
settlements. One of the energy uses of metals in space is to
develop technology such as Solar Power Satellite Stations
SPSS (Dhinakaran and Arul Daniel, 2021). It is a space-
based technology designed to capture solar energy in outer
space and transmit it wirelessly to earth for widespread
clean energy generation.
Types of Asteroids
The three main categories of asteroids consist of C-type
(chondritic) asteroids, primarily composed of silicates
S-type (stony) asteroids, a blend of silicate material and
iron-nickel metal and M-type (metallic) asteroids, pre-
dominantly comprising metal (Ross 2001b). The selec-
tion of the targeted asteroid type depends on the specific
resources sought for extraction. The latter M-type asteroids
harbor significant concentrations of specific elements that
are comparatively scarce in the earth’s crust, rendering them
appealing prospects (Chodas 2019 Dallas et al., 2021).
Nevertheless, M-type asteroids are the least abundant
among the three asteroid types, constituting only a small
fraction of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) (Ross 2001b).
Also, S-type asteroids encompass approximately 20% free
metal, while C-type asteroids comprise up to 10% free
metal (Dallas et al., 2021). It is believed through research
observation of M-type asteroids that it has metallic-rich
minerals that may contribute to the energy industry.
REE on Moon (KREEP)
Another area in the space where more evidence of REEs
present is the KREEP. It is a term derived from the ini-
tials of its components: “potassium (K), rare earth elements
(REEs), and phosphorus (P).” This term describes a distinc-
tive form of geochemical enrichment observed in certain
lunar rocks and the loose surface material known as regolith
on the Moon. Several studies have indicated traces of criti-
cal minerals as shown in Table 3.
According to Mcleod and Krekeler (2017), elements
like Dy, Eu, Nd, Tb, and Y are of significant value to clean
energy technologies and are currently facing high supply
risks in both the short term and medium term, as indicated
Figure 4 A, B (McLeod and Krekeler 2017). By leverag-
ing the resources especially REE available in space, we can
potentially enhance our understanding of the universe, and
metal exploration, and pave the way for sustainable and
self-sufficient space endeavours.
In summary, space offers access to resources like
KREEP and chondritic meteorites. Space mining, particu-
larly for critical minerals, could revolutionize resource sup-
ply, reducing reliance on earth and fostering a sustainable,
equitable, and eco-friendly energy future.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology for conducting this comprehensive
study on space mining and energy transition focuses on
two primary sources of information: 1. a literature review
of existing research, and 2. a lab examination of meteorite
concentration of critical minerals from the lunar surface.
The combined use of these methodologies aims to provide
Table 1. The number of metals used varies by renewable technology kg/MW
kg/MW Copper Nickel Manganese Cobalt Chromium Molybdenum Zinc REE
Offshore wind 8,000 240 790 0 525 109 5,500 239
Onshore wind 2,900 404 780 0 470 99 5,500 14
Solar PV 2,822 1.3 0 0 0 0 30 0
Nuclear 1,473 1297 148 0 2,190 70 0 0.5
Electric car 53.2 8.9 39.9 24.5 13.3 66.3 0.1 0.5
Total 15,248.3 1,951.1 1,757.59 24.5 3,198.3 345.1 11,030.09 254
Source: (IEA 2022)