News > Mining possible in space: Scientists mine vanadium, used to strengthen steel

Mining possible in space: Scientists mine vanadium, used to strengthen steel

As humans look to become interplanetary species, one of the key requirements to survive long-duration flights to other planets or beyond Earth will be life-sustaining elements. Researchers have now succeeded in mining metals from microbes without using the traditionally required heavy machinery.

Biomining has emerged as an alternative to traditional mining of metals when one doesn't have vast natural resources, heavy machinery and is travelling in space with nothing but complete vacuum outside the spacecraft.