Space Luisa Fernanda
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Friday, October 16, 2026 · UTC
Launches & Rockets

Asteroid mining could cut platinum carbon footprint by 99.6%, study estimates

A 2018 study presented at the International Astronautical Congress found that mining a platinum-rich asteroid would produce about 150 kg CO2eq per kg of platinum, compared to roughly 40,000 kg CO2eq per kg from terrestrial mining.

Theo Anand
Science and Earth
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A study presented at the 69th International Astronautical Congress in 2018 estimated that mining a platinum-rich asteroid would carry a carbon footprint of about 150 kg CO2eq per kg of platinum, including rocket launch and re-entry, compared to roughly 40,000 kg CO2eq per kg produced on Earth using existing mining practices.[1]