Por ahora, parece que no habrá tierras raras de la Luna

Some time ago, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine stated that it could still be possible within this century to mine rare earths on the Moon. The century is still long, and while many countries are increasingly frantically trying to make their raw material supply independent of China, Japan’s Hakuto-R probe attempted a Moon landing last Tuesday. It was supposed to collect rock samples containing rare earths there, but then radio contact was lost.

Hakamada, CEO and founder of the space company ispace, had already proclaimed the dawn of the lunar economy. The landing of the “White Rabbit,” as the company’s spacecraft is called in German, was meant to usher in a new era. Hakamada had ambitious plans: rare earths and water were to be brought back from the Moon and used on Earth. According to its website, the company’s ultimate goal is to merge Earth and the Moon into a sustainable habitat. Hakamada’s dream is “Moon Valley,” a lunar valley in which up to 1,000 people are to live and work by 2040. The probe is currently missing; whether it will ever be found and perhaps even be able to begin its work remains uncertain.

For the USA and Japan, a successful Moon landing would have been a milestone in cooperation between the two countries. Rare earths from the Moon would have meant another potential source of production-critical commodities not originating from China for the democratic world. However, despite the most likely failed Moon landing, dependence on China will continue for quite some time. Since prices will almost certainly rise in the meantime, an investment in rare earths is advisable. This offers exceptional opportunities for first-class returns, which are also tax-free.