Mineralogical exploration

Mineralogical exploration is already underway on Mars using the various rovers sent by the US and remote sensing from orbital probes. More intensive exploration can be carried out in the future using, first, dedicated rovers and then human explorers. Analysis could be carried out in-situ, but also in a well equipped lab at a Martian base.

The Geologist. A hypothetical rover with remote controlled manipulator arms, sampling tools and sample storage for basic mineralogical exploration.

Mineralogical exploration will also be done in parallel with the search for life, as it will use the same exploration and manipulation tools, but, in part, different analysis equipment. Exploration is a precursor step to mining on Mars.

Geologist rover reconfigured with a moving/rotating cabin for human exploration.

Mineralogical remote controlled rover

A martian exploration mission will include some kind of mineralogical exploration rover. This vehicle will need to be able to extract samples and bring them back to a laboratory for analysis, or perform these analysis itself. Probably battery powered, the vehicle would need to be able to connect itself to a power supply to recharge the batteries. This would greatly increase the rapidity and capacities compared to existing rovers.

General purpose rover configured with a drill rig and extensive exploration capabilities. The rover can carry a large photo-voltaic array to supply it with power and extend the range to the limit of the life support systems aboard.

Mineralogical human exploration

For fast exploration, a human presence will be vastly superior to robotic exploration. Decisions can be made on the spot and manipulators can be controlled directly. Geology is both a objective and subjective science, and experienced geologists can obtain better results than untrained personnel or machines.

Exploration objectives

Minerals are available everywhere on Mars but in dilute forms. The purpose of geological exploration will be to identify useful concentrations of minerals, for latter exploitation by the settlement. The first objective will be to identify the cleanest water source possible, to reduce processing before use. High concentrations of the following would be prime targets for research:

• Water ice
• Concentrated minerals (iron oxides, copper oxides, alumina, Thorium, Uranium)
  • Crater impacts, in particular for heavy elements or elements that are not miscible with others
  • Volcanic hydrothermal vents, for heavier elements as well
  • Clays may be good sources for alumina and other light oxides
• Pure salts (chlorine, lithium, sodium, potassium)
• Iron meteorites (iron, nickel, cobalt, other metals in non oxidized forms)
• Pure silica deposits
• Carbonate deposits
• Clays
• Methane clathrates

Drilling

Surface mines will be the first and fastest to implement. Delimiting the volume of the resource is usually done by digging (surface) or drilling to discover the extend of the ore body. Drilling is time consuming and requires significant energy.

From exploration to exploitation

Exploiting a mine requires the mobilization of significant amounts of equipment. Financial resources are also required and the return on investment of the mine must be determined. For Mars, the cost must always be compared to the cost of transportation from Earth. For low density ores, it can become economical to ship from Earth rather then develop a local industry. The local market for some materials will be very small for a long time.