Mining the moon for resources such as water, helium-3, and rare earth elements could become a multibillion-dollar industry shortly. However, astronomers are raising concerns that the rapid expansion of lunar mining could jeopardise vital scientific research.
According to the NASA-sponsored Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the moon harbours untapped resources worth hundreds of billions of dollars. These resources include water ice, which could support lunar habitation or be converted into rocket fuel, as well as rare earth elements that are essential for modern electronics.
One of the most valuable prospects on the moon is helium-3, a non-radioactive isotope with the potential for nuclear fusion. In 2024, helium-3 was valued at approximately $2,500 per litre, according to the Edelgas Group. Senior astrophysicist Martin Elvis from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory told Business Insider that the market for lunar resources is growing rapidly, but there are risks involved. He warned that the current state of lunar law resembles the “Wild West,” with incentives that encourage quick exploitation of resources by those who arrive first.
NASA, China, and various private companies are planning to mine the moon within the next decade, with large-scale operations already on the horizon. However, astronomers caution that these ventures could make studying the universe more difficult. The moon hosts scientifically significant areas that are also rich in resources, potentially creating a conflict between economic interests and scientific research.
Among these areas are the far side of the moon, which is a radio-quiet environment ideal for studying the Cosmic Dark Ages—the period before stars and galaxies formed. Elvis also highlighted the moon’s permanently shadowed regions near its poles, which are seen as “special places for astronomy” but are believed to contain valuable water ice, a key resource for future space exploration. These locations are highly sought after for mining, but their extraction could disturb delicate lunar studies due to vibrations caused by human activity, such as water extraction or rovers deployed for mining.
While some legal frameworks, such as the Artemis Accords, exist to regulate lunar activities, they remain limited. The Artemis Accords, a non-binding agreement signed by over 50 countries in 2020, explicitly permit space mining, provided it aligns with the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and is conducted “safely and sustainably.” However, these principles do not fully address the concerns of astronomers and scientists who worry about the impact of mining on lunar research.
Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society, pointed out that future regulations should prioritise the value of astronomy and better protect scientific studies, rather than focusing solely on financial opportunities. “There should be more stakeholders than just the wealthy and companies that want to do this,” he said, advocating for the inclusion of broader interests. He added, “The stakeholders ought to include all of us — just as all of us have a stake in terrestrial environments.”
As the debate over lunar mining intensifies, Elvis suggested that the creation of protected planetary parks on the moon’s surface could be one way to safeguard scientific research while allowing resource extraction to continue.