Mining the Sky & Space Tethers to achieve LEO

Bill,

Another problem with mining the earth is that it has been heated so that most metals have been drawn to the center of the earth thus leaving the silicone oxides with a few magma intrusions at the surface for us to mine. However, asteroids, which have not been heated from collective buildup of heat from radioactive decay, are an excellent source of minerals and metals that most likely represent what we would find if we could mine the earth's core. Again, much easier access.

The earth is fine for earthlings, at least for now, but space resources are for space inhabinents who can sell weak metals like gold to earthlings for cash. :-)

Tom
From: bill t
To: spacesettlers@egroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 5:48 PM
Subject: [spacesettlers] Re: Mining the Sky & Space Tethers to achieve LEO

>
> MW: Of course the problem with mining the Earth's
> surface is the fact that there is-- life on it. There
> would be no such problem with mining the asteroids.
>
> Marcel F. Williams
> 12/19/00
>

Start with an open pit mine 10 km in diameter with a depth of 5 km.
Now start escavating tunnels in all direction in an orderly honeycomb
structure leaving 80% of the material intact. The tunnels can go into
the ground approximatey 100 km in all direction. At the hundred km
mark dig another open pit mine as before, and form a hexagonal network
of open pit mines.

This allows you to escavate the entire planet while only disturbing
10% of the surface. You can also go much deeper than 5 km.

Bill

Another problem with mining the earth is that it has been heated so that most metals have been drawn to the center of the earth thus leaving the silicone oxides with a few magma intrusions at the surface for us to mine. However, asteroids, which have not been heated from collective buildup of heat from radioactive decay, are an excellent source of minerals and metals that most likely represent what we would find if we could mine the earth's core. Again, much easier access.

The earth is fine for earthlings, at least for now, but space resources are for space inhabinents who can sell weak metals like gold to earthlings for cash. :-)

Tom
From:
bill t
To:
spacesettlers@egroups.com
Sent:
Tuesday, December 19, 2000 5:48 PM
Subject:
[spacesettlers] Re: Mining the Sky & Space Tethers to achieve LEO
>
> MW: Of course the problem with mining the Earth's
> surface is the fact that there is-- life on it. There
> would be no such problem with mining the asteroids.
>
> Marcel F. Williams
> 12/19/00
>
Start with an open pit mine 10 km in diameter with a depth of 5 km.
Now start escavating tunnels in all direction in an orderly honeycomb
structure leaving 80% of the material intact. The tunnels can go into
the ground approximatey 100 km in all direction. At the hundred km
mark dig another open pit mine as before, and form a hexagonal network
of open pit mines.
This allows you to escavate the entire planet while only disturbing
10% of the surface. You can also go much deeper than 5 km.
Bill