Trump signs executive order supporting space mining, Russia criticizes the moveQuoteThe order, titled "Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources," gives Americans the "the right to engage in the commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space."
The State Department also wants other countries to pursue a similar approach. U.S. policy contradicts the 1979 Moon Treaty, which America has not signed. The treaty says that all non-scientific use of space resources be governed by an international regulatory framework.
The executive order gives companies operating in space the right to any resources mined there. "Outer space is a legally and physically unique domain of human activity, and the United States does not view it as a global commons," the order stated.
That is not a new idea. The U.S. Congress already passed a law in 2015 that allowed individuals as well as companies to use the moon and asteroid for its resources.
Monday's executive order comes as NASA published its long-term Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development, which envisions a "base camp" on the moon's south pole.
https://www.kitco.com/news/2020-04-07/Trump-signs-executive-order-supporting-space-mining-Russia-criticizes-the-move.html (https://www.kitco.com/news/2020-04-07/Trump-signs-executive-order-supporting-space-mining-Russia-criticizes-the-move.html)
Only four countries signed that treaty, with 18 more adhering to it.
Neither the US, Russia or China are part of the treaty.
PS: although I think most countries didn't sign it because of paragraph d) of point 7 of article 11, that states that one of the purposes is:
Quoted) An equitable sharing by all the States Parties in the benefits derived from those resources, whereby the interests and needs of the developing countries, as well as the efforts of those countries which have contributed either directly or indirectly to the exploration of the moon, shall be given special, consideration
a conspiracy theory point of view could point to point 3 of article 5, that says:
Quote3. In carrying out activities under this Agreement, States Parties shall promptly inform the Secretary-General, as well as the public and the international scientific community, of any phenomena they discover in outer space, including; the moon, which could endanger human life or health, as well as of any indication of organic life.
;)