Curious?????

I have a question:

Could a spacecraft be launched from Earth, rendezvous with and land
on a Near-Earth Object (or perhaps the moon, though probably more
complicated and expensive), mine the object and "fire" the raw
material back to Earth (not LEO) for collection and processing?

Assuming that's possible, are there products that could be
manufactured from the raw material that are in high demand? In other
words, COULD such a project make money; specifically, enough money to
bootstrap further commercial space activities?

Things to consider:

1. The NEAR Shoemaker succesfully landed on Eros.
2. There are several planned missions to return samples from NEOs
(ASR is one notable commercial endeaver - they intend to turn a
profit).
3. Inco Limited out of Canada has been doing extensive research into
the prospect of Telemining (albeit, here on Earth).
4. Automated Mining Systems specializes in remote teleoperation and
autonomous guidance of mining equipment.

Additional questions:

1. Any clever reentry and collection processes you might suggest?
2. Potential products? Rare and/or precious metals? He-3?
3. Are there products that could be made only in LEO or HEO that
would be much more profitable? Could the products be manufactured
remotely (avoiding manned presence early on to reduce cost)?

Any ideas, suggestions or comments would be very welcomed. Keep in
mind, I am a first-class layman who doesn't know his delta-v from his
Isp.

Thanks in advance.

Jack