THE DAILY MARTIAN - HEADLINE ARTICLE, 57.13.29

ASTEROID DEPLETION POTENTIALLY AS HIGH AS 70%

A new report by researchers at the Martian Institute of Astronomy (M.I.A) has revealed that previous estimates of the Sculptor depletion of resources in the Asteroid Belt — thought to be between 25-35% — may actually be incorrect by a significant margin, and the true figures could potentially be as high as 70%.

The astronomers that worked on the report say that when compared to previous studies, these new observations have been completed using more in-depth and precise methods. The director of the M.I.A — and lead researcher on the report — has provided the following statement:

"The observational studies done in the past on the nature of the wealth remaining in the Asteroid Belt (after the Sculptors had left and humanity was able to to return to the inner system) were completed hastily and often included vast amounts of extrapolated data, with the actual observed data having been taken from only small sections of the belt.

This was, of course, a product of the turbulent time in which these researchers lived and we cannot undermine the efforts that they made to ensure the future stability of the nation. With that being said however, our new report — which was conducted across the entirety of the belt, and in which every single point of data has been carefully analysed and contributed to the resulting findings — gives us a much clearer and more accurate understanding of the situation regarding belt resources within the system."

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The study has arrived just months before the start of N.M.R leadership election, and candidates are scrambling to update their policies regarding deep belt mining operations. The current government, as lead by President Armin Silvers, has established a joint emergency committee with members of the U.S.V Department of Space Mining in order to discuss the potential challenges presented by the new findings.

As of writing, President Silvers is currently en route to Venus in order to begin talks with the newly established committee. He did however, provide the following statement before departing:

"With the projected growth of both the N.M.R and U.S.V, it is of course a great concern that the findings presented by the M.I.A study may prove to be detrimental to the current plans of both nations unless an agreement can be formulated between governments. I am hopeful however, that we will be able to reach such an agreement."

The Martian Mining Corporation has not yet provided any comment on the situation, though many in the industry suspect that it is likely that some M.M.C vessels (those deemed either too wasteful due to ageing equipment, or those on deployments) may have their missions temporarily put on hold until further developments arise.