Publications & Press

International Open Letter on Space Mining 

Important update: The OSI is pleased to see that the Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has established a Working Group on Space Resource Utilization

The Outer Space Institute is pleased to publish the International Open Letter on Space Mining (link), which stresses the need for a multilateral agreement on the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources and calls on states to present a resolution at the UN General Assembly that urges the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to negotiate a draft of such an agreement. The list of early signatories is appended to the letter.

The International Open Letter on Space Mining is now open for additional signatures. Should you wish to add your name, please use the following form (link). The current full list of signatories is available here (link). Note: updates may take a few minutes to show. Read a Globe and Mail article about the letter here (link).

The Vancouver Recommendations on Space Mining

In early March 2020, two dozen experts convened at the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Brought together by the Outer Space Institute, they came from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, including government, industry, and academia. The composition of the group was very transdisciplinary, with representation from astronomy, planetary science, engineering, environmental science, international relations, and international law. The experts adopted the following Recommendations concerning space mining: PDF . The Recommendations were drafted in consultation with industry leaders, the CSA, GAC, and NRCan.

Outer Space Institute

Outer Space Institute
The University of British Columbia
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