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Spacecraft are already bringing back small samples from asteroids and future technology will see increased payloads. : Illustration: Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

Going to the Moon and other planetary bodies in search of natural resources may alleviate critical shortages on Earth.

Mining the heavens

Going to the Moon and other planetary bodies in search of natural resources may alleviate critical shortages on Earth.

etrataenite , an iron-nickel alloy found only in meteorites, is a replacement for rare-earth minerals used in permanent magnets. : Robert M. Lavinsky, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse

Meteorites could show us the perfect chemical models we need to end the natural resource crisis — but we don’t have to leave Earth to mine them.

Why we don’t need to go to space to mine its resources

Meteorites could show us the perfect chemical models we need to end the natural resource crisis — but we don’t have to leave Earth to mine them.

With space transport becoming cheaper by the day, off-Earth mining is now a feasible option. : Image by NASA available at https://tinyurl.com/k2uvhc8p NASA

Private companies and governments are reaching for the stars in an effort to ease Earth-bound shortages.

Why space is the next frontier in mining

Private companies and governments are reaching for the stars in an effort to ease Earth-bound shortages.

Deep-sea mining technology is a new field and researchers want more data on its impacts. : ‘ROV at ferromanganese-encrusted outcrop’ by NOAA Ocean Exploration is available at https://tinyurl.com/yzvc34nc CC BY-SA 2.0

On the ocean floor, robots will gather the rocks and suction pipes and hydraulic lifts will transport these to a surface vessel.

Mining the deep

The technology behind deep sea mining

There is hope International Seabed Authority provisions will align with the aim of the High Seas Treaty in protecting marine biodiversity. : ‘Ocean bottom’ by Vovan UK is available at https://tinyurl.com/mvtf8cr3 CC BY 2.0

Deep sea mining is about to get the green light and companies itching to exploit it have a head start on authorities.

Mining the deep

Treaty to protect high seas too late to stop mining