From Nature Partner Journal Microgravity:
Santomartino, R. Blanco, G. R. Gudgeon, A. et al. Microbial biomining from asteroidal material onboard the international space station s41526-026-00567-3
Relating to a brief mention I gave: microbes can be used to refine metals and other substances from raw rock. Here is a paper, midway through the project. Meteorite rock (L Chondrite) was flown to the International Space Station, then set upon by various bacteria and fungi to ‘eat’ it. Valuable metals were extracted in the process. With biomining demonstrated in a flight-like environment, we are that much closer.