I read an article published by Tira Shubart on the Decoder website recently, about the possibilities of Mining Minerals from Asteroids. In fact what is discussed in the article is of great importance in the wake of the Global Climate changes that we are witnessing. Let us see the core content of the article.
Rare Earth Minerals are very much required for the technological developments. They are extracted from our planet Earth, which poses a great danger. Green Technology – that generates energy from renewable sources – needs Rare Earth Minerals. Extraction of such Minerals has done the worst Ecological Damage to our Planet, leaving behind Toxic Waste, cause Soil Erosion and Contamination of Water.
What are Asteroids?
Asteroids are good source of valuable Minerals and therefore many believe that Mining Asteroids is the way forward instead of extracting from our Planet. There are about a million of known Asteroids in our Solar System which are basically chunks of Rock and Minerals. They range in size from few meters to 1000 kilometers in diameter and most of them orbit between Mars and Jupiter. Some others come closer to earth within the reach of Spacecrafts and therefore it would be possible to extract Minerals from these Asteroids.
Asteroids contain minerals such as Gold, Silver, Platinum, Iridium, Osmium, Palladium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Tungsten etc. Green Technology depends upon these Minerals. Mining of Asteroids can produce far less Greenhouse Gas CO2 compared to Mining on Earth.
Read the complete article published by Tira Shubart on the Decoder website here
Disclaimer: The information provided here is only for public awareness. All credit goes to the original publisher.
