Jones reported in mid-December 2025 that the Moon is brimming with priceless resources, but who will reap the rewards? The battle for lunar riches is far more complicated than you might think.
Lunar photograph by NASA of AI by © Credit: Shutterstock
Lunar mining is no longer just a distant dream, it’s happening. Nations and companies are gearing up to extract precious resources from the Moon, from rare metals to water ice. While the potential rewards are huge, the legal framework governing these activities is woefully outdated. But with so many players in the mix, the Moon is quickly becoming a contested space. The question is, who gets to decide how its resources are shared?
Lunar Mining: The New Space Gold Rush
Private companies like Interlune and Astrobotic are working alongside NASA and other space agencies to develop mining technology that could one day extract valuable resources from the Moon. For example, Interlune’s electric lunar excavator is designed to process up to 100 metric tons of lunar soil per hour, with plans to start extracting helium-3 by 2027. These companies are betting big on the Moon’s untapped wealth, especially when you consider that helium-3 could potentially revolutionize fusion energy, providing a cleaner alternative to current nuclear power.
China has set its sights on landing humans on the Moon by 2030 and is working with Russia to build a Lunar Research Station by 2035. The US, through NASA’s Artemis program, is also moving full steam ahead with plans for a permanent human presence on the celestial body. Australia and Japan are entering the fray with their own missions, and the European Space Agency is developing its first lunar lander.
The Moon holds a treasure trove of resources that could power a near-Earth and
lunar industrial network. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
Moon in Danger?
As The Conversation points out, astronomers and environmentalists have raised concerns that large-scale mining could permanently damage the Moon’s environment. The Moon’s surface is a delicate ecosystem, and mining operations could disrupt ongoing scientific research or even lead to debris and pollution. There’s also the risk that mining could harm the Moon’s potential as a site for future astronomical research, which is why some groups are calling for a zero-debris charter to ensure responsible practices.
On top of that, there’s the security aspect. The Earth’s satellite’s most valuable resources are concentrated in specific regions, like the lunar poles, where water ice is abundant. These areas could easily become flashpoints for geopolitical conflict, as countries or companies jostle for access. Without clear international agreements, we risk seeing a situation where multiple parties lay competing claims on the same region.
An image illustrating a mining operation on the lunar surface. Credit: NASA
Can We Get the Rules Right?
As the technology to mine the Moon advances, the need for a clear, universal set of rules is becoming more pressing. Without them, we risk a chaotic free-for-all in which the rich and powerful dominate the Moon’s resources while smaller nations and future generations are left out. As mentioned by the same source, the international community needs to step up and create binding agreements that ensure the Moon is developed responsibly, fairly, and sustainably.
We’re at a crossroads. The silver sphere’s resources are there for the taking, but we can’t afford to rush in without thinking about the long-term consequences. The time to establish clear and fair rules for lunar mining is now, before the race to the natural satellite turns into a legal and geopolitical disaster.
[Note: The first call of the 2nd Moon Race (here). A details (here)]
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