Scientists Find Thousands of Lunar Craters May Hold Platinum Metals

Scientists are exploring the Moon for new sources of valuable metals. A recent study suggests thousands of lunar impact craters may hold platinum-group metals, making the Moon a promising target for future space mining initiatives.

Research led by astronomer Jayanth Chennamangalam and published in Planetary and Space Science estimates these craters could contain over $1 trillion in platinum-group metals. The findings arrive as space agencies and private companies shift focus from asteroids to lunar resources to boost commercial opportunities.

Why Are Scientists Looking at Lunar Craters for Platinum?

Ancient asteroidal impacts have pockmarked thousands of craters on the Moon's surface. Scientists believe many craters contain accessible platinum-group metals because metallic asteroids delivered these elements as they collided with the Moon over billions of years. These resources are distributed in crater centers and their concentrated peaks.

The study identified approximately 6,500 lunar craters larger than one kilometer in diameter as likely sites for platinum, palladium, and rhodium deposits. Their predicted reserves could transform lunar mining into a trillion-dollar industry, offering an alternative to depletion-prone terrestrial sources and remote asteroid targets.

Did you know?
Several countries, including the United States (2015), Luxembourg (2017), UAE (2019), and Japan (2021), have passed domestic laws granting their citizens or companies the right to use and own space resources they obtain.

How Do Platinum-Group Metals End Up on the Moon?

Platinum-group metals are not native to the Moon but arrived through asteroid impacts. When large metallic bodies collide with the lunar surface, surviving fragments and shock events concentrate precious metals in crater centers. Larger craters with distinct central peaks are especially likely to harbor these resources, making targeting for extraction more practical.

Researchers studied the distribution and likely concentration of platinum-group metals in craters over one kilometer wide, pinpointing 38 major formations with high extraction value. This advance provides a roadmap for future mining missions focused on extracting high-value materials for industrial and technological use.

Is the Moon Easier to Mine Than Asteroids?

Comparing mining prospects, researchers note the Moon's stable orbit and predictable location give it strong logistical advantages over asteroids. Near-Earth asteroids are harder to access for missions due to their irregular orbits and tumbling motion, adding cost and complexity to resource extraction.

Chennamangalam’s study suggests lunar mining could be one or two orders of magnitude more profitable than asteroid mining. This positions the Moon as humanity’s practical first step toward large-scale extraterrestrial mining, given its proximity and abundant resource sites.

What Commercial Interest Is Driving Lunar Mining Plans?

Interest in lunar mining is rising due to both scientific advances and private sector activity. AstroForge, a California-based startup, is preparing to launch a mission that will study a near-Earth asteroid for platinum deposits, while many space firms look to lunar missions following promising new research.

NASA’s Artemis program continues setting the stage for crewed lunar expeditions, aiming to enable mining and exploration as early as 2026. The anticipation of platinum-group metals, water in hydrated lunar minerals, and other resources is fueling investments and policy support from major economies.

How Does Space Law Affect Moon Mining?

Legal frameworks for space mining remain unresolved and contentious. Six nations, led by the United States, Luxembourg, and Italy, have adopted national laws supporting resource ownership and extraction. These moves have met opposition, with critics such as China and Russia calling for stricter international consensus and environmental oversight.

Debates continue at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to define rules for extraterrestrial resource use. The outcome may determine who benefits first and sets the standards for responsible resource exploration beyond Earth.

Interest in lunar resources is rapidly expanding as technology and policy evolve. How the world cooperates or competes could soon shape the future of mining, industry, and exploration far beyond Earth.