Researchers identify trillion-euro platinum reserves on the Moon

On June 6, 2025, scientists announced that the Moon’s surface may host platinum deposits valued at nearly one trillion euros, a finding that could transform global resource discussions. The research team traced most of these platinum reserves to ancient planetoids that collided with the lunar surface billions of years ago. Over one thousand craters have been identified with platinum concentrations considered commercially viable, making the Moon an attractive target for future mining operations.

The study highlights that mining on the Moon could offer notable technical benefits compared to extracting minerals from distant asteroids, mainly due to the Moon’s relative proximity to Earth. This proximity may lower transportation costs and allow faster return of materials, potentially giving lunar mining projects a significant edge in the race to tap extraterrestrial resources. The revelations have reignited interest among both national space agencies and private companies seeking to lead the next wave of space resource exploitation.

However, the pursuit of lunar mining faces serious international legal challenges, as regulatory frameworks remain unclear. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, also known as the Ruimteverdrag, prohibits nations and corporations from claiming ownership of celestial bodies, raising major obstacles for commercial development. While the United States has proposed the Artemis Accords to create guidelines for responsible lunar activity, key countries like China and Russia have not signed on, leading to ongoing uncertainty about who, if anyone, has the right to extract and profit from the Moon’s riches.