Mineral Processing and Metal Extraction on the Lunar Surface - Challenges and Opportunities

The lunar surface is extremely harsh and current mineral processing metal extraction technologies are not adequately equipped to address this environment. In paper, we review the metals available for conditions at surface, analyze challenges associated with comminution, beneficiation, operations. potential beneficial effects of natural also evaluated. This investigation concludes that process plant design on will favor lightweight, schematically simple flow sheets enable automation, utilize local environment wherever possible. elimination traditional comminution beneficiation stages their replacement basic classification could be economically favorable. most promising reduction pathways identified as molten regolith electrolysis, vacuum thermal dissociation, other processes merit hydrogen reduction, carbothermal solid electrolysis. Finally, it a significant research effort in all areas astrometallurgy required before industrial-sized extra-terrestrial operations viable.