XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 381
Under SEM &OM the sample shows a high concentration
of crystallization especially under polarized optical micros-
copy as shown in Figure 13. See Appendix 3 &4 for more
images.
Advancement in Space Mining
Recent technological advances have boosted space mining
and exploration, opening up new opportunities for resource
extraction from celestial bodies. These innovations, though
still in development, offer great potential for investigat-
ing and utilizing resources in space (Axora 2020 Sivolella
2019). Source: (Starr and Muscatello 2020).
Figure 14 shows RASSOR 2 recent polit extraction
tool that has been developed by NASA for lunar mining to
solve the issue of microgravity, flexibility, and size. Robotic
and autonomous systems are undergoing continuous
development to facilitate the exploration and extraction of
resources from celestial bodies such as asteroids, the moon,
and mars (Ambrose et al., 2010). By leveraging these sys-
tems, the requirement for human intervention can be sig-
nificantly diminished, consequently mitigating the risks of
injuries and costs associated with space mining missions.
Moreover, the advent of in-situ resource utilization
(ISRU) technology allows for the direct extraction and
processing of resources at the point of ore (Hall 2020).
It also, enables the production of water, rocket propel-
lants, from moon ice and construction materials from
indigenous materials on the Moon or Mars (Hall 2020).
By minimizing the need for resource transportation from
Earth, the feasibility of extended space missions is sub-
stantially enhanced. Furthermore, advancements in space
launch systems, particularly reusable rocket technology,
have yielded remarkable progress (Baiocco 2021). The abil-
ity to reuse rockets significantly reduces costs and expedites
the frequency of space missions, thereby fostering greater
opportunities for space mining and exploration initiatives.
According to SpaceX, sending a rocket to space will even-
tually cost US$10 per kilo (da Silva, Haby, and Jenison
2022). Additionally, the innovative technique of optical
mining merits attention, whereby concentrated sunlight is
employed to heat and fracture asteroid surfaces, facilitating
the extraction of valuable elements such as water and metals
(Hein, Matheson, and Fries 2020). The implementation of
this process obviates the necessity for conventional mining
equipment, ushering in a novel approach to resource extrac-
tion. Besides, advanced propulsion systems, including ion
thrusters, solar sails, and nuclear thermal propulsion, have
expanded the horizons of spacecraft capabilities, enabling
extended travel distances and intricate maneuverability.
Another transformative technology, according to
Siddika et al. (2020) highlighted the potential of 3D print-
ing to create essential products and infrastructure from raw
materials found in space, promoting sustainability and self-
sufficiency in missions. Additionally, the use of cost-effec-
tive small satellites and CubeSats enhances remote sensing
for resource detection (Calla, Fries, and Welch 2018)
(Source: Tabor 2023) (Figure 15). By identifying areas with
high concentrations of resources, these platforms enhance
the scope of exploration missions, fostering a deeper under-
standing of celestial bodies and their resource potential.
Extraction and Processing in Space
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is the equipment of
using the materials and resources present at extra-terrestrial
bodies such as asteroids, and the moon to bolster human
exploration and the establishment of habitats (Crawford,
Joy, and Anand 2014). The key objective is to extract and
Table 6. Concentrations of critical minerals and REEs in the
sample under ICP-MS
Element Name Mean, mg/g %
LA Lanthanum 4.01 0.00040
CE Cerium 38.10 0.00381
ND Neodymium 0.00 0.00000
Y Yttrium 6.62 0.00066
EU Europium 0.39 0.00004
DY Dysprosium 0.00 0.00000
YB Ytterbium 5.80 0.00058
LU Lutetium 4.01 0.00040
TB Terbium 7.31 0.00073
SM Samarium 0.00 0.00000
GD Gadolinium 0.00 0.00000
SC Scandium 12.74 0.00127
HO Holmium 1.33 0.00013
ER Erbium 1.05 0.00010
AL Aluminum 117210.19 11.72102
CA Calcium 92748.57 9.27486
FE Iron 45754.09 4.57541
MG Magnesium 32092.59 3.20926
NI Nickel 544.76 0.05448
AG Silver 457.71 0.04577
BA Barium 358.38 0.03584
CO Cobalt 556.43 0.05564
CR Chromium 583.69 0.05837
NA Sodium 3623.25 0.36232
PB Lead 988.86 0.09889
S Sulfur 4844.16 0.48442
SI Silicon 256.75 0.02567
SR Strontium 179.31 0.01793
TI Titanium 805.44 0.08054
Total ≈ 301100 ≈ 30
Under SEM &OM the sample shows a high concentration
of crystallization especially under polarized optical micros-
copy as shown in Figure 13. See Appendix 3 &4 for more
images.
Advancement in Space Mining
Recent technological advances have boosted space mining
and exploration, opening up new opportunities for resource
extraction from celestial bodies. These innovations, though
still in development, offer great potential for investigat-
ing and utilizing resources in space (Axora 2020 Sivolella
2019). Source: (Starr and Muscatello 2020).
Figure 14 shows RASSOR 2 recent polit extraction
tool that has been developed by NASA for lunar mining to
solve the issue of microgravity, flexibility, and size. Robotic
and autonomous systems are undergoing continuous
development to facilitate the exploration and extraction of
resources from celestial bodies such as asteroids, the moon,
and mars (Ambrose et al., 2010). By leveraging these sys-
tems, the requirement for human intervention can be sig-
nificantly diminished, consequently mitigating the risks of
injuries and costs associated with space mining missions.
Moreover, the advent of in-situ resource utilization
(ISRU) technology allows for the direct extraction and
processing of resources at the point of ore (Hall 2020).
It also, enables the production of water, rocket propel-
lants, from moon ice and construction materials from
indigenous materials on the Moon or Mars (Hall 2020).
By minimizing the need for resource transportation from
Earth, the feasibility of extended space missions is sub-
stantially enhanced. Furthermore, advancements in space
launch systems, particularly reusable rocket technology,
have yielded remarkable progress (Baiocco 2021). The abil-
ity to reuse rockets significantly reduces costs and expedites
the frequency of space missions, thereby fostering greater
opportunities for space mining and exploration initiatives.
According to SpaceX, sending a rocket to space will even-
tually cost US$10 per kilo (da Silva, Haby, and Jenison
2022). Additionally, the innovative technique of optical
mining merits attention, whereby concentrated sunlight is
employed to heat and fracture asteroid surfaces, facilitating
the extraction of valuable elements such as water and metals
(Hein, Matheson, and Fries 2020). The implementation of
this process obviates the necessity for conventional mining
equipment, ushering in a novel approach to resource extrac-
tion. Besides, advanced propulsion systems, including ion
thrusters, solar sails, and nuclear thermal propulsion, have
expanded the horizons of spacecraft capabilities, enabling
extended travel distances and intricate maneuverability.
Another transformative technology, according to
Siddika et al. (2020) highlighted the potential of 3D print-
ing to create essential products and infrastructure from raw
materials found in space, promoting sustainability and self-
sufficiency in missions. Additionally, the use of cost-effec-
tive small satellites and CubeSats enhances remote sensing
for resource detection (Calla, Fries, and Welch 2018)
(Source: Tabor 2023) (Figure 15). By identifying areas with
high concentrations of resources, these platforms enhance
the scope of exploration missions, fostering a deeper under-
standing of celestial bodies and their resource potential.
Extraction and Processing in Space
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is the equipment of
using the materials and resources present at extra-terrestrial
bodies such as asteroids, and the moon to bolster human
exploration and the establishment of habitats (Crawford,
Joy, and Anand 2014). The key objective is to extract and
Table 6. Concentrations of critical minerals and REEs in the
sample under ICP-MS
Element Name Mean, mg/g %
LA Lanthanum 4.01 0.00040
CE Cerium 38.10 0.00381
ND Neodymium 0.00 0.00000
Y Yttrium 6.62 0.00066
EU Europium 0.39 0.00004
DY Dysprosium 0.00 0.00000
YB Ytterbium 5.80 0.00058
LU Lutetium 4.01 0.00040
TB Terbium 7.31 0.00073
SM Samarium 0.00 0.00000
GD Gadolinium 0.00 0.00000
SC Scandium 12.74 0.00127
HO Holmium 1.33 0.00013
ER Erbium 1.05 0.00010
AL Aluminum 117210.19 11.72102
CA Calcium 92748.57 9.27486
FE Iron 45754.09 4.57541
MG Magnesium 32092.59 3.20926
NI Nickel 544.76 0.05448
AG Silver 457.71 0.04577
BA Barium 358.38 0.03584
CO Cobalt 556.43 0.05564
CR Chromium 583.69 0.05837
NA Sodium 3623.25 0.36232
PB Lead 988.86 0.09889
S Sulfur 4844.16 0.48442
SI Silicon 256.75 0.02567
SR Strontium 179.31 0.01793
TI Titanium 805.44 0.08054
Total ≈ 301100 ≈ 30