Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to re: Even if Mars or the moon was covered in gold dust...

re: Even if Mars or the moon was covered in gold dust...
gbaikie — (archived)

Suppose there was a pile of gold dust in some crater on the Moon, suppose it was a total amount of 24,000,000 troy oz (1000 tons- less than the yearly worldwide production of gold). At $400 per troy oz, that would have gross value of 9.6 billion. If there was 1000 tons of rocket fuel (LH&LOX) next to the crater, and it was being sold for $2000 per lb could you bring the gold to Earth and sell it (at $400 per oz) and make a profit? Assume it cost 100 million to launch 5 tons to low lunar orbit and you can get two of these launches per week. You start with 4 billion, cash. You can choose to invest some or all your cash in some other modest risk investment which will give a 10% yearly return. To mine the gold dust, you will need to estimate cost of all stuff needed get from Lunar orbit to surface, collect gold and get stuff back to Earth.
Some optional variables:
2000 tons at lunar surface of rocket fuel at $2000 per lb
1000 tons of rocket fuel at $1500 per lb
500 tons of rocket fuel at low lunar orbit or L-1 at $4000 per lb
200 million to launch 10 tons to low lunar orbit
450 million to launch 20 tons to low lunar orbit
50 million to launch 5 tons to low lunar orbit
Select any launch vehicle using any known launch cost
Have gold dust in Mars crater:
Use same price for rocket fuel ($2000 per lb)
Use half price ($1000 per lb) and up to 4000 tons.

Can you make a profit mining the gold? How would you do it?

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