Rehabilitation of lunar mining: extractable elements, restoration challenges, Industry 5.0 and differences from Earth-based mining.

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Title: Rehabilitation of lunar mining: extractable elements, restoration challenges, Industry 5.0 and differences from Earth-based mining.
Authors: Sarkheil, Hamid1 (AUTHOR) sarkheil@ut.ac.ir, Salahjou, Taha1 (AUTHOR), Falahatgar, Fatemeh1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Advances in Space Research. Jun2026, Vol. 77 Issue 12, p11962-11993. 32p.
Subjects: Moon, Extraterrestrial resources, Resource management, Minerals, Sustainability
Abstract: Lunar mining represents a crucial advancement for humanity, propelled by scientific progress and the strategic significance of extraterrestrial resources. The Procellarum-Imbrium and South Pole–Aitken Basin priority regions may contain rare earth elements, helium-3 and water ice, which can be utilized for propulsion, life support and fusion energy. The Moon's severe temperatures, vacuum and absence of an atmosphere and life render extraction and post-mining exceedingly challenging. In contrast to Earth, site restoration must rely on engineered systems rather than ecological processes. The Outer Space Treaty and the nonbinding Artemis Accords establish governance guidelines; yet a comprehensive and enforceable regulatory framework is absent. For sustainability, operations require improved autonomy, in-situ manufacturing, closed-loop recycling and adaptable infrastructure to respond to terrestrial changes. Industry 5.0 technologies, such as collaborative robotics, 4D printing and bio-regenerative life-support systems (BLSS), can enhance corporate resilience and facilitate restoration in a manner inspired by nature. This study (i) contrasts the environmental and operational boundaries of Earth and the Moon, (ii) integrates key technologies for extraction and rehabilitation (including Industry 5.0 and BLSS) and (iii) proposes and elaborates on a policy-informed integrated framework that connects environmental challenges, enabling technologies and engineering solutions to demonstrate a holistic approach for sustainable operations, site closure and long-term governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Advances in Space Research is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
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  Data: Rehabilitation of lunar mining: extractable elements, restoration challenges, Industry 5.0 and differences from Earth-based mining.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarkheil%2C+Hamid%22">Sarkheil, Hamid</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> sarkheil@ut.ac.ir</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Salahjou%2C+Taha%22">Salahjou, Taha</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Falahatgar%2C+Fatemeh%22">Falahatgar, Fatemeh</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Advances+in+Space+Research%22">Advances in Space Research</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 77 Issue 12, p11962-11993. 32p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Moon%22">Moon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Extraterrestrial+resources%22">Extraterrestrial resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resource+management%22">Resource management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minerals%22">Minerals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink>
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  Data: Lunar mining represents a crucial advancement for humanity, propelled by scientific progress and the strategic significance of extraterrestrial resources. The Procellarum-Imbrium and South Pole–Aitken Basin priority regions may contain rare earth elements, helium-3 and water ice, which can be utilized for propulsion, life support and fusion energy. The Moon's severe temperatures, vacuum and absence of an atmosphere and life render extraction and post-mining exceedingly challenging. In contrast to Earth, site restoration must rely on engineered systems rather than ecological processes. The Outer Space Treaty and the nonbinding Artemis Accords establish governance guidelines; yet a comprehensive and enforceable regulatory framework is absent. For sustainability, operations require improved autonomy, in-situ manufacturing, closed-loop recycling and adaptable infrastructure to respond to terrestrial changes. Industry 5.0 technologies, such as collaborative robotics, 4D printing and bio-regenerative life-support systems (BLSS), can enhance corporate resilience and facilitate restoration in a manner inspired by nature. This study (i) contrasts the environmental and operational boundaries of Earth and the Moon, (ii) integrates key technologies for extraction and rehabilitation (including Industry 5.0 and BLSS) and (iii) proposes and elaborates on a policy-informed integrated framework that connects environmental challenges, enabling technologies and engineering solutions to demonstrate a holistic approach for sustainable operations, site closure and long-term governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Advances in Space Research is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1016/j.asr.2026.04.044
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 32
        StartPage: 11962
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Extraterrestrial resources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Resource management
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      – SubjectFull: Minerals
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      – SubjectFull: Sustainability
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      – TitleFull: Rehabilitation of lunar mining: extractable elements, restoration challenges, Industry 5.0 and differences from Earth-based mining.
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            NameFull: Salahjou, Taha
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              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
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              Y: 2026
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