SEED ROUND NOW OPEN
Regenerative Mining for Earth and the Moon
A closed-loop, autonomous biomining system engineered for the multi-billion-dollar E-waste and Rare Earth Element markets and the resource demands of Lunar exploration.
Years of Innovation
R&D Contracts Won
Funding Awarded
Funding Sources
NASA SBIR/STTR
NASA Flight Opportunities
TRISH
NASA ROSES – Artemis III Deployed Instruments
Years of Innovation
R&D Contracts Won
Funding Awarded
Funding Sources
NASA SBIR/STTR
NASA Flight Opportunities
TRISH
NASA ROSES – Artemis III Deployed Instruments
Years of Innovation
R&D Contracts Won
Funding Awarded
Funding Sources:
NASA SBIR/STTR
NASA Flight Opportunities
TRISH
NASA ROSES – Artemis III Deployed Instruments
Funding Sources
NASA SBIR/STTR
NASA Flight Opportunities
TRISH
NASA ROSES – Artemis III Deployed Instruments
Earth’s Extraction Crisis Won’t Solve the Lunar Economy. EcoMine Will.
The world’s accelerating demand for critical minerals, especially Rare Earth Elements, has exposed a crisis that spans both Earth and future Lunar operations.
Today’s high-energy, chemically intensive extraction systems depend on a staggering 2,000–3,000 kg of reagents for every ton processed. That’s like moving a truckload of chemicals just to process a truckload of material, an expensive, carbon-intensive cycle that compounds at an industrial scale.
This single-use model creates three compounding failures:
- Unstable supply chains, driven by massive chemical logistics and inflated operational risk.
- Unsustainable carbon emissions, undermining global ESG and national resilience targets.
- Geopolitical vulnerability, as nations remain dependent on a foreign-controlled mineral supply.
These systems already struggle on Earth, and they become entirely unworkable for Lunar resource utilization, where every kilogram of additional mass carries an exponential cost.
EcoMine™ fundamentally changes the equation.
We’ve replaced chemical-intensive extraction with the world’s first Closed-Loop Biomining Platform, a regenerative system that produces and recycles its own reagents.
This eliminates the chemical logistics burden, delivers more than $50,000 in cost avoidance per ton, and achieves up to a 91% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional methods.
This breakthrough unlocks verifiable mission assurance for Earth’s largest recycling markets today, and establishes the only viable pathway for scalable Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization tomorrow.
Reductions
Per Ton
A Breakthrough Platform With Massive Near-Term Revenue and Lunar-Scale Potential.
EcoMine™ offers a uniquely de-risked pathway for investors by pairing immediate commercial traction with long-term category leadership. Its closed-loop, regenerative system eliminates the 2,000–3,000 kg of chemicals required by conventional extraction, delivering more than $50,000 in cost avoidance per ton and achieving up to a 91% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Superior Unit Economics
Driven by mass, energy, and chemical avoidance.
Faster Adoption Cycles
Through simplified logistics and safer operations.
Defensible IP & Autonomous
Multi-application platform differentiation across multiple mineral markets.
This dual-market strategy ensures accelerated ROI. The $100 billion terrestrial opportunity, spanning E-waste recycling, Rare Earth Element recovery, and high-value wastewater mineral reclamation, provides the fastest path to revenue and commercial validation.
At the same time, the platform’s autonomy, mass efficiency, and closed-loop chemistry make EcoMine a foundational enabler of the Lunar ISRU economy.
This rare combination of near-term commercialization and long-horizon ISRU relevance is why strategic corporates, government-aligned funds, and deeptech VCs are prioritizing EcoMine as a breakthrough investment opportunity.
The $100 Billion Terrestrial Market That De-Risks The $63 Billion Lunar Market
EcoMine™ leverages immediate commercial traction to provide a uniquely de-risked pathway.
Near-Term Revenue & Scale
The platform’s immediate focus is the terrestrial E-waste Recycling market. This market provides the fastest path to commercial validation and revenue generation, projected to reach over $100 billion by 2030.
By focusing on Rare Earth Element (REE) recovery, this strategy simultaneously addresses U.S. national security interests and advances domestic materials sovereignty.
Infrastructure Layer
The terrestrial revenue stream provides the capital and TRL progression necessary to fuel the long-term vision of the Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) economy.
The long-term Total Addressable Market (TAM) for space mining has the potential to grow to $63 billion by 2040. EcoMine™ is positioned as the foundational infrastructure layer to unlock this future.
The $100 Billion Terrestrial Market That De-Risks The $63 Billion Lunar Market
EcoMine™ leverages immediate commercial traction to provide a uniquely de-risked pathway.
Near-Term Revenue & Scale
The platform’s immediate focus is the terrestrial E-waste Recycling market. This market provides the fastest path to commercial validation and revenue generation, projected to reach over $100 billion by 2030.
By focusing on Rare Earth Element (REE) recovery, this strategy simultaneously addresses U.S. national security interests and advances domestic materials sovereignty.
Infrastructure Layer
The terrestrial revenue stream provides the capital and TRL progression necessary to fuel the long-term vision of the Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) economy.
The long-term Total Addressable Market (TAM) for space mining has the potential to grow to $63 billion by 2040. EcoMine™ is positioned as the foundational infrastructure layer to unlock this future.
A Regenerative Platform Built for Multiple Billion-Dollar Markets
EcoMine™ is a multi-application regenerative platform engineered to unlock diversified revenue across multiple billion-dollar terrestrial markets.
Its core biological engine enables expansion into adjacent sectors with minimal adaptation.
This versatility strengthens long-term ROI.
Near-Term Revenue & Scale
EcoMine’s chemistry and biological processes can be adapted for mineral recovery from industrial wastewater and by-products, a market projected to reach $137.87 billion by 2034, with strong demand for sustainable, closed-loop systems.
A Regenerative Platform Built for Multiple Billion-Dollar Markets
EcoMine™ is not a single-use solution; it is a multi-application regenerative platform engineered to unlock diversified revenue across multiple billion-dollar terrestrial markets. Its core biological engine, which powers low-impact fermentation, acid production, and closed-loop reagent regeneration, enables EcoMine to expand into adjacent sectors with minimal adaptation.
This versatility strengthens long-term ROI, reduces reliance on any single market, and provides investors with the market resilience deep-tech portfolios demand.
In addition, the multi-application versatility ensures EcoMine remains commercially valuable throughout the Earth-side scaling journey while positioning the platform for long-term ISRU leadership.
For our investors, this diversification is a core driver of de-risked, long-horizon returns.
Key expansion markets include:
-
Water Treatment & Resource Recovery
EcoMine’s chemistry and biological processes can be adapted for mineral recovery from industrial wastewater and by-products, a market projected to reach $137.87 billion by 2034, with strong demand for sustainable, closed-loop systems. -
Bioremediation
The platform’s biological foundation aligns naturally with high-growth bioremediation applications for environmental cleanup, a sector expected to reach $29.37 billion by 2030. -
Organic Acid Production
EcoMine’s regenerative fermentation capabilities enable access to the $3.5 billion organic acid market (with a strong foothold in bio-based citric acid), creating flexible industrial deployment options.
These adjacent applications are currently at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and would require additional adaptation, validation, and standardization after EcoMine’s primary markets, E-waste, Rare Earth Element recovery, and critical mineral extraction are fully established.
A Proven Roadmap. A Capable Team.
EcoMine follows a disciplined, milestone-driven roadmap, from today’s TRL 4 prototype to a TRL 6 industrial pilot and ultimately a Lunar demonstration. Each phase is tied to clear technical outcomes, commercial commitments, and the leadership expertise required to deliver. This structured progression de-risks the investment and accelerates EcoMine’s path to full commercial scale.
Christine Chamberlain, Ph.D.
Founder, CEO, & Systems Engineer
Ecologist and aerospace engineer, she specializes in space agriculture, bioastronautics, and systems engineering. She leads business operations and quality assurance while supporting systems engineering efforts.
Jaeheon Lee, Ph.D.
Mineral Purification Lead
Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineer. He leads efforts to select and optimize lunar-compatible methods for mineral purification and precipitation from leachate following the completion of the biomining process.
Angel Abbud-Madrid, Ph.D.
ISRU Consultant
In-situ Space Resource Utilization (ISRU) expert. He contributes with conceptual design and operation of regolith management and small-scale protoflight unit for lunar surface demonstration.
Pamela Flores, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Specialized in space microbiology and molecular biology. She leads project planning and coordination, subsystems experimental testing, and ensures overall system performance and technical readiness.
Matthew Beck
Research & Development Engineer
Experienced in R&D, systems, and operations engineering for ISS payloads. He is building the initial brassboard prototype for the system, focusing on automating fluid transfer processes and operation procedures.
Naiara (Nai) Doherty Garcia
Ph.D. Candidate & Research Assistant
Expert in molecular plant physiology and microbiology. She contributes to subsystem experimental testing and genetically engineers biological organisms to enhance mineral extraction efficiency.
A Proven Roadmap. A Capable Team.
EcoMine follows a disciplined, milestone-driven roadmap, from today’s TRL 4 prototype to a TRL 6 industrial pilot and ultimately a Lunar demonstration. Each phase is tied to clear technical outcomes, commercial commitments, and the leadership expertise required to deliver. This structured progression de-risks the investment and accelerates EcoMine’s path to full commercial scale.
Christine Chamberlain, Ph.D.
Founder, CEO, & Systems Engineer
Ecologist and aerospace engineer, she specializes in space agriculture, bioastronautics, and systems engineering. She leads business operations and quality assurance while supporting systems engineering efforts.
Pamela Flores, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Specialized in space microbiology and molecular biology. She leads project planning and coordination, subsystems experimental testing, and ensures overall system performance and technical readiness.
Jaeheon Lee, Ph.D.
Mineral Purification Lead
Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineer. He leads efforts to select and optimize lunar-compatible methods for mineral purification and precipitation from leachate following the completion of the biomining process.
Naiara (Nai) Doherty Garcia
Ph.D. Candidate & Research Assistant
Expert in molecular plant physiology and microbiology. She contributes to subsystem experimental testing and genetically engineers biological organisms to enhance mineral extraction efficiency.
Matthew Beck
Research & Development Engineer
Experienced in R&D, systems, and operations engineering for ISS payloads. He is building the initial brassboard prototype for the system, focusing on automating fluid transfer processes and operation procedures.
Angel Abbud-Madrid, Ph.D.
ISRU Consultant
In-situ Space Resource Utilization (ISRU) expert. He contributes with conceptual design and operation of regolith management and small-scale protoflight unit for lunar surface demonstration.
News & Publications
Access our latest research, project milestones, and industry publications from across the globe.
Research Paper
EcoMine Research Publication (International Conference on Environmental Systems)
Academic research published through Texas Tech’s digital repository for the International Conference on Environmental systems.
Research Poster
A Bioregenerative Approach to Lunar Regolith Mining (Space Resources Rountable)
Overview of EcoMine, a NASA-supported concept using biomining and closed-loop systems to extract valuable materials from lunar soil efficiently and sustainably, presented at the 2025 Space Resources Roundtable.
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EcoMine FAQs
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE
What is EcoMine™?
EcoMine™ is a bioregenerative, autonomous mining facility designed to extract metals and minerals directly from lunar regolith. Using bioleaching microbes in a closed-loop system, EcoMine™ can recover elements like aluminum, iron, silicon, and titanium, and REEs for use in lunar construction and manufacturing without the need for large chemical or reagent shipments from Earth.
Why is EcoMine™ important to NASA and the space economy?
NASA’s Artemis Program and long-term lunar missions require sustainable infrastructure. Transporting materials from Earth costs ~$1M per kilogram. EcoMine™ provides an in-situ alternative enabling lunar manufacturing and reducing mission costs. It’s also aligned with NASA’s current ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) roadmap.
How does EcoMine™ differ from traditional mining?
Traditional mining is high energy and requires heavy machinery and large volumes of reagents. EcoMine™ uses bioleaching microbes that naturally dissolve minerals from regolith while regenerating acids. Combined with the photoautotrophs that regenerate oxygen, this becomes a self-sustaining loop, making the process cleaner, safer, and ideally suited for the Lunar, Martian, or asteroid mining.
What makes EcoMine™ sustainable and environmentally safe?
EcoMine™ avoids toxic reagents, minimizes waste, and regenerates its inputs biologically. Its closed-loop cycle means close to zero discharge to the environment, both on Earth and in space. It’s a model of circular industrial design.
What’s the short- and long-term vision for EcoMine™?
In the near term, EcoMine™ aims to integrate into Earth-based industries, particularly e-waste recycling and rare earth element (REE) recovery, by applying the same biological mining approach to deliver sustainable and scalable solutions.
In the long term, EcoMine™ seeks to establish the first self-sustaining biological mining facility beyond Earth, enabling humanity to build, live, and thrive using the resources of the Moon and beyond.
TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL
What is the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL)?
EcoMine™ is currently at TRL 4-5 encompasing components and breadboard validation in relevant environment. The current Phase II SBIR focuses on system design, experimental validation of the closed loop bioregenerative system and of the biomining process. With the next project phase (Post-phase II, targeted funding $750K+), we aim to reach TRL 6, designing, and building a high fidelity engineering demonstration unit (EDU) to be tested in a relevant lunar analog environment.
Has the technology been tested?
Initial individual processes proof-of-concept laboratory tests have been completed, and current laboratory studies are underway to demonstrate the integrated bioregenerative loop and bioleaching efficiency on lunar regolith simulants. Early results indicate that mineral extraction in the EcoMine™ experimental frame can achieve higher mineral recovery efficiencies in a shorter timespan than those reported in other biomining studies using the same microorganisms.
What’s unique or protected about EcoMine™ technology?
Space Lab Technologies holds patent-pending processes combining biomining with regenerative life-support chemistry (photosynthetic regeneration of sugars and gases). Proprietary algorithms also enable autonomous system control in low-gravity environments and the fine-tuned chemical balance between reactors.
FUNDING AND ITS USE
How much funding is EcoMine™ currently seeking?
We are raising $375,000+ in pre-seed investment to advance the technology from TRL 5 (at the completion of SBIR Phase II) to TRL 6 (Post-Phase II) by designing, building, and testing a high-fidelity functional prototype, and preparing for a pilot plant for lunar protoflight testing. Through the NASA SBIR Post-Phase II program, this investment will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $375,000. This round bridges our current R&D efforts and positions EcoMine™ for initial market entry.
How will investor funds be used?
During our 2027–2028 Post-Phase II efforts, the funding will be allocated as follows:
- 40% → Engineering demonstration unit development & testing in lunar regolith analog environments
- 25% → Bioreactor and bioregenerative close-loop optimization
- 20% → System autonomy software and simulation
- 10% → Business development and partner engagement
- 5% → IP protection and regulatory costs
MARKET POTENTIAL AND ROI
Can EcoMine™ technology be used on Earth?
Yes. The same biomining and regeneration technologies can be applied to extract metals and REEs from low-grade ores, e-waste, and mine tailings on Earth, reducing toxic waste and energy usage. This dual-use potential creates near-term terrestrial revenue streams.
What is the expected ROI or market potential?
EcoMineTM’s market sectors represent large and growing revenue opportunities. The global e-waste recycling market is projected to expand from $48.41 billion in 2024 to $80.29 billion by 2032, while the REE recovery market is expected to grow from $3.95 billion in 2024 to $6.28 billion by 2030. Adjacent applications further increase the total addressable market, with water treatment projected to reach $137.87 billion by 2034 and bioremediation $29.37 billion by 2030. Additional bio-industrial pathways, such as organic acids, industrial enzymes, and other bioprocessing products, represent multi-billion-dollar global markets in their own right, providing diversified and scalable revenue streams. Looking ahead, space resource utilization adds a high-value strategic horizon, with a projected $2 billion–$63 billion market between 2027 and 2040. Together, these markets demonstrate strong return-on-investment potential through multiple entry points, near-term terrestrial commercialization, and long-term expansion into the cislunar economy. EcoMine™ enables the first step toward resource independence on the Moon. Early investors will have equity exposure in a technology applicable to terrestrial, lunar, Martian, and asteroid markets.
PARTNERSHIP AND NASA ALIGNMENT
Has NASA validated the need for EcoMine™?
Yes. NASA’s 2023 SBIR Ignite solicitation explicitly identified “autonomous, sustainable mining of lunar regolith” as a core challenge area. EcoMine™ was selected for Phase I under this topic in recognition of its technical innovation and its alignment with NASA’s long-term lunar infrastructure objectives. Based on the successful and promising outcomes of Phase I, the program awarded a Phase II in 2024.
Be Part of the World’s First Regenerative Mining Platform.
EcoMine™ is currently raising a $3 million Seed/Pre-Seed round to advance the platform from TRL 4-5 breadboard validation to TRL 6 Engineering Demonstration Unit (EDU) design and testing in preparation for industrial pilot design. This milestone unlocks commercial deployment with key partners, accelerates revenue in the $100B terrestrial market, and positions EcoMine for its first Lunar demonstration.
If you’re interested in partnering with a breakthrough deeptech platform that delivers Earth-side value and long-term ISRU capability, our team would welcome a conversation.
Connect with us to learn more or request investment materials.
Founder Note
“EcoMine™ was born from a simple belief we share at Space Lab®: humanity deserves technologies that make life sustainable both on Earth and beyond it. After decades of developing systems that support humans in space, we saw a critical need here at home, a regenerative way to recover the minerals that power modern life without the chemical burden of traditional extraction.
EcoMine™ is our commitment to solving that challenge. Thank you for taking the time to explore this mission with us.”
– Christine Chamberlain, Ph.D.
Founder, Space Lab® / EcoMine™