ABSTRACT
For the mature investment environment that will be necessary to finance substantial mining of space resources there will need to be a new treaty that provides for clear definition of legal rights to explore and mine them. Broad agreement to such a treaty will only be possible if a way of sharing the benefits is agreed. The most promising method is to establish a Space Resource Fund funded on the basis of participating nations’ financial capacity. The fund will then accumulate until mining is occurring and then dividends will be distributed to participating nations on a per capita basis. In return clear mining rights will be established. Once this is agreed the rest of the treaty arrangements can fall into place following the evolving state practices. To make the system work it will be necessary to have a prompt and knowledgeable dispute resolution process in place.
Cannon, Andrew James, Space Miners Will Have To Purchase Legal Certainty (September 9, 2025).
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