In the current environment this will never happen. China will likely beat us to it, and then destroy us with it.
Obama need a trillion just to study it.
Mining value is based on how much is left in your pocket AFTER you have processed and delivered the goods.
This is liberal mining value, where they get the money, you get to dig.
It’s nice to know when we run out of this stuff on Earth, 500 years from now, there is an alternative source.
Second, even those estimates are probably high because they count current prices. But what happens when the first asteroid you mine doubles the amount of gold in circulation? Price plummets.
Third, I wouldn't be surprised if the UN tries to steal the revenue from the mining company siting some treaty or "joint ownership of all mankind" which would make the Law of the Sea Treaty look friendly.
“More than enough money”
You have to factor in the collapse of heavy metals markets. When platinum goes down to 40 an ounce and car parts are made from iridium, they won’t be worth a hundred trillion.
I think we should pursue asteroid mining, don’t get me wrong- it’s the only path to the stars or viable extraterran colonies.
Plus I think coffee would taste great from a platinum pot, and what would rhenium steel guitar strings sound like?
Thanks for the links.