Deep-sea mining pioneer now hunts for resources in space

The geologist and business leader, also known for launching Direct Nickel (ASX:DIR), an emerging nickel producer with a revolutionary lower cost extraction technology, brings to DSI an invaluable level of experience in “transformatory mineral resource ventures,” the company in a statement.

In addition to founding both Nautilus Minerals and Direct Nickel, Julian Malnic is also the Founder and Chairman of the Sydney Mining Club, the managing director of Fluid Minerals Limited, and Director of Public Relations for the Constitution Education Fund of Australia.

Malnic joins his fellow board member and Australian mining expert Mark Sonter to provide insight into business and mining policy and practices, as well as the practical, “shovel in the dirt” realities of processing raw mineral materials, DSI added.

The space mining firm is rolling out a multi-stage plan that they hope will lead to near Earth asteroid operations within a decade or so. First, they are launching their “Fireflies,” one-way travellers meant to grab data about potential targets. The next kind of spacecraft to be sent (“DragonFlies”) will capture asteroids for analysis. Their final stage, “Harvestors” will do as the name implies collecting materials for use from nearby asteroids.

Deep Space was the second company to jump into the asteroid mining business. The first, the billionaire-backed firm Planetary Resources, was launched in 2012.