Space mining might cost less than a gas plant on Earth

Getting a mine up and running on the moon or an asteroid would cost less than building the biggest gas terminals on Earth, according to research presented to a forum of company executives and NASA scientists.

A mission to Ceres, a dwarf planet 257 million miles from the Sun and the size of Texas, may cost about $27 billion. The expense includes 10 rocket launches to convey equipment, the extraction of metals and water, and the construction of an in-orbit facility to process the raw materials.

The costing comes from graduate business students at Australia’s University of New South Wales, which is also collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the economics of space mining. By comparison, Australia’s biggest single resources development — Chevron Corp.’s Gorgon liquefied natural gas plant — has an expected price tag of about $54 billion.

Still, getting investors to buy into the grand vision that mankind has a future in the stars is a high bar to clear.

“We shouldn’t drink the Kool-Aid too hard,” said Rene Fradet, deputy director of the engineering and science directorate at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and a speaker at the Off-Earth Mining Forum in Sydney on Thursday. “Investors are out there, but they need to know what the risk and return will be,” he said.

Crucially, proponents no longer intend to deliver metals to Earth to replenish finite resources. The costs of a two-way journey are considered uneconomic and the focus instead is on providing materials for industries operating in space to power the exploration and eventual colonization of Mars and beyond.

Mining on the moon would be a relative snip with capital expenditure of about $9 billion, according to the research. Capturing parts of near-Earth asteroids, the target of companies already developing programs to begin mining in space, may be just $492 million.

Advocates insist space mining will eventually develop into a trillion-dollar-industry supplying metals and water for habitats and fuels for rockets in a market led initially by space exploration programs and satellite operators.

“Even if you found gold out there, I’d leave it out there,” said Julian Malnic, a board member of Moffett Field, California, Deep Space Industries Inc., which plans to mine asteroids and conduct processing and manufacturing in space. “There’s a real economy out there to be built, and the materials are out there to build it from.”

Proof that the technology to mine in space is feasible is being established by programs including NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission, said Fradet. The key step is building a credible business case that can convince skeptics in the mining industry, he said.

“It’s not a profit-making venture yet,” said Jeff Coulton, a senior lecturer at UNSW’s School of Accounting, whose students made the space mining calculations and who also spoke at the forum being hosted by the university. “It may well be a profit making venture 20-to-30-to-50 years into the future,” he said.

Other costings are even lower. Each mission to mine an asteroid may cost only between about $50 million and $100 million, according to Planetary Resources Inc., an asteroid- mining venture backed by Google billionaires Larry Page and Eric Schmidt.

Planetary Resources has held talks on its plans with chief executive officers and exploration heads of mining firms, President and Chief Engineer Chris Lewicki said, declining to name the companies. The approach from miners is “how can we engage on this, so we’re not caught behind the times as it develops,” he said.

Top executives aren’t dismissive. Rio Tinto Group’s CEO Sam Walsh said in February that space mining poses interesting questions and if it can be developed, his company will be there.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.