Beijing, Oct 9: China has unveiled plans for an ambitious lunar mining mission, marking a major step in its long-term space exploration and resource strategy. The initiative, announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Thursday, seeks to send autonomous landers and rovers to the Moon’s south pole to extract rare minerals, including helium-3, which is seen as a potential fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors.
Officials said the program will be carried out in stages, with the first robotic landing expected by 2027, followed by the deployment of mining infrastructure by 2030. “This mission is part of China’s strategy to lead in space exploration and secure resources critical for the future,” CNSA spokesperson Li Ming said.
China has invested heavily in lunar and Martian missions over the past decade, including the Chang’e lunar program and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission. Analysts note that while the mission carries high scientific and technological benefits, it also raises questions about space resource governance and international collaboration.
The lunar mining effort will also include partnerships with Chinese universities and technology firms to develop autonomous robotics and AI-driven resource extraction techniques. “Our goal is not only to explore the Moon but to develop technologies that can be applied on Earth and in future deep-space missions,” Li added.
