New Mars Forums
You are not logged in.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
Announcement
Pages: 1
#1 2026-10-31 10:14:23
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 10,011
Rock Carving Methods
I request tolerance for this new topic. Reforming rock that many planets are at least in part made of could be called Terraforming.
We know of the work of the Boring Company, dominently horizontal carving: https://www.boringcompany.com/
We know of vertical drilling concepts in part from Quaise Company: https://www.quaise.com/
I am currently am looking at "Rock Spooning".
I had wondered if the Gyrotron that Quaise might hope to use to drill geothermal holes, might be used to carve rock?
The Quaise Gyrotron method may be more extreme than is necessary. Vaporizing rock may not be needed and might be trouble.
But could you render rock "Plastic" with heat and then scoop it like Ice Creame?
To make the starting method experiment easier, could you expand a Boring Company tunnel using "Rock Spooning"?
The process is likely to be very hostile to life like humans, but I believe that the work of the Boring Company is trending towards eliminating humans in the tunnel.
The tunnel boring process needs water and the use of toxic chemicals.
"Rock Spooning" may not have the same requireents/problems.
So, you would not want to heat the whole tunnel to near melting, heating a section, perhaps the floor might work, and then you have to scoop and then cool the scooped mass.
The spoon might be cooled by passing a cooling gas though it's interior like a rocket engine or turbine.
And to get a non-stick spoon might be a challenge.
Anyway, I have visualized expanding a already created circular tunnel, as that is easier to visualize.
I do not say that you could not extend a tunnel horizontally by similar methods, I just have not completed a visualization of that process.
So, in dealing with Earth and alien worlds this may be a skill it would be desired to develop.
I wonder if this method could be adapted to mining a deep ore vein.
Quote:
Copilot Search Branding
Like
Dislike
Iron Mining on the Vermilion Iron Range
The Vermilion Iron Range was Minnesota’s first iron mining region, located between present‑day Tower and Ely in the Arrowhead area. It produced hard, high‑grade hematite ore made of interbedded chert, magnetite, and hematite, ideal for steelmaking
Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
+1
.Historical Development
Early exploration: Ojibwe people of the Bois Forte knew of the mineral wealth and shared this with European traders in the 17th–19th centuries
Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
.1866: State geologist Henry Eames confirmed gold, silver, and iron deposits; the “Vermilion Gold Rush” began, though gold was never found
Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
.1875: Pennsylvania businessman Charlemagne Tower funded an expedition that confirmed rich hematite deposits (>60% iron)
ArcGIS StoryMaps
ArcGIS StoryMaps
+1
.1882–1884: The Minnesota Iron Company opened the Breitung Pit, the first commercial mine, and shipped ore from Two Harbors in July 1884
ArcGIS StoryMaps
ArcGIS StoryMaps
+1
.1880s–1890s: Other companies (Pioneer Vermilion Iron Co., Porter Syndicate) built mines near Ely; the Soudan Mine became the largest, nearly half a mile underground
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
+1
.Mining Methods and Ore Quality
Deep underground mining was required, unlike the Mesabi Range’s surface pit mining
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
+1
.The Soudan hematite was so pure that two pieces could be welded
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
+1
.Ore was shipped via the Duluth and Iron Range Railway to ports like Agate Bay (Two Harbors)
Mining Artifacts
Mining Artifacts
.Decline
1950s–1960s: Advances in steelmaking and cheaper taconite processing from the Mesabi Range made Vermilion’s high‑grade ore economically unviable
Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
+1
.1962: Soudan Mine closed; last Ely area mine closed in 1964
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
.1967: Commercial mining ended on the Vermilion Range
Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
.Legacy
After mining ceased, the range’s economy shifted toward tourism and conservation, with areas like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness becoming central to the local economy
Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
. The Vermilion Range remains a key part of Minnesota’s industrial and cultural history, remembered for its rich ore, pioneering mining companies, and the transition from industrial extraction to environmental stewardship.Key sites: Breitung Pit, Soudan Mine, Minnesota Mine (Tower), Pioneer, Zenith, Savoy, and Sibley mines
ArcGIS StoryMaps
ArcGIS StoryMaps
+1
.
Sometimes the cost of mining is negatively effected by water pumping.
Blasting I presume may crack the rock to allow water in. Maybe this could permit less trouble with water.
Ending
Last edited by Void (2026-10-31 10:42:04)
Be careful what you wish for.
Offline
Like button can go here
#2 2026-10-31 12:26:01
- tahanson43206
- Moderator
- Registered: 2018-04-27
- Posts: 26,336
Re: Rock Carving Methods
This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.
Index:
Post #3: Void on basalt
(th)
Offline
Like button can go here
#3 2026-11-01 19:57:44
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 10,011
Re: Rock Carving Methods
Having listened to a video about the Quaise plan with the gyrotron, it seems that granite might be expected to melt at 1400 degrees and vaporize at 4000 degrees. I expect that the units are C. Another source suggests 1215 to 1260 C for melting.
So, the idea I have is that perhaps rock "Spooned" out of a heating to almost melt event could be fed to a process that may sinter or Cast the rock into useful objects.
I don't know about granite but basalt can be cast into useful objects.
This could be quite useful, quote:
Copilot Search Branding
Like
Dislike
Basalt begins to melt at approximately 984°C and is fully molten around 1200°C.
Basalt does not have a single melting point but melts over a temperature range due to variations in chemical composition, pressure, and water content
discovermagz.blog
discovermagz.blog
. The solidus temperature, around 984°C, marks the point where the first partial melt forms, while the liquidus temperature, near 1200°C, indicates complete melting of the rock
discovermagz.blog
discovermagz.blog
. Between these temperatures, basalt undergoes partial melting, where solid minerals coexist with molten material, which is crucial for the formation of basaltic magma in volcanic systems
discovermagz.blog
discovermagz.blog
.Factors Affecting Basalt Melting
Chemical composition: Basalts with higher silica content or different mineral proportions may melt at slightly higher or lower temperatures
minsocam.org
minsocam.org
.
Pressure: Increased pressure in the Earth's mantle can raise the melting temperature, while lower pressures near the surface reduce it
minsocam.org
minsocam.org
.
Water content: The presence of water significantly lowers the melting point, a process known as wet melting, which is especially important in subduction zones where hydrated crust descends into the mantle
discovermagz.blog
discovermagz.blog
.Geological Context
Surface lava temperatures measured at volcanoes like Kilauea, Stromboli, and Vesuvius range from 1000°C to 1200°C, consistent with the melting range of basalt
minsocam.org
minsocam.org
. Basaltic magma is relatively fluid at temperatures between 750°C and 850°C, indicating that partial melting and magma mobility can occur below the full melting point
minsocam.org
minsocam.org
.
Understanding this melting range is essential for geologists studying magma generation, volcanic eruptions, and igneous rock formation, as well as for engineers working with basalt in industrial applications
discovermagz.blog
discovermagz.blog
.
The materials above suggest that you might not have to fully melt basalt in order to "Scoop" it like ice cream. (Maybe).
A robotic system that could work in the created environment would have to have thermal protection methods for motors and other parts of course. The cave it worked in might be hot, but not beyond the endurance of such a protected robotic system.
So, while you were creating a cavity by materials extraction which in itself may be of use, you might also be able to build parts by materials addition, and perhaps casting.
Quote:
Copilot Search Branding
Like
Dislike
Cast basalt is a wear‑resistant, corrosion‑resistant material made by melting natural basalt at about 1300°C and casting it into tiles, pipes, or custom shapes, producing a glass‑ceramic with Mohs hardness around 7–8.
What Cast Basalt Is
Produced by melting selected volcanic basalt (20–50mm pieces) at ~1300°C and casting into molds.
www.scholten-gmbh.de
www.scholten-gmbh.de
Controlled cooling forms fine, spherulitic crystals, giving extreme hardness and abrasion resistance.
www.scholten-gmbh.de
www.scholten-gmbh.de
Results in a dense, glass‑like ceramic with Mohs hardness 7–8 (up to 8.5 reported).
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
+1
Key Properties
Exceptional abrasion resistance — outlasts steel, rubber, and Ni‑hard by 5–10×.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
High chemical resistance — inert to most acids, alkalis, salts.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
+1
Thermal resistance — typically up to 350–450°C; fused versions up to ~1000°C.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
+1
Smooth, low‑friction surface — self‑polishing, prevents buildup.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
+1
High compressive strength and full corrosion resistance.
www.scholten-gmbh.de
www.scholten-gmbh.de
Forms Available
Tiles (rectangular, hexagonal, custom).
Cylinders, pipe segments, elbows, bends, tees.
Formpieces for chutes, hoppers, silos, cyclones.
www.scholten-gmbh.de
www.scholten-gmbh.de
+1
Typical Applications
Piping systems for abrasive slurries, ash, ore, cement, coal.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
Chutes, hoppers, silos, bunkers handling bulk materials.
www.scholten-gmbh.de
www.scholten-gmbh.de
Cyclones, separators, classifiers in mining and cement plants.
www.scholten-gmbh.de
www.scholten-gmbh.de
Power plants — ash handling, dust ducts, FGD systems.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
Chemical processing — acid‑resistant linings.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
Installation
Typically bonded with cement mortar or special adhesives; can be bolted when required.
abrasionresistantpipe.com
abrasionresistantpipe.com
Modular design allows easy replacement of worn sections.
basaltlinedpipe.com
basaltlinedpipe.com
Cast basalt remains one of the most durable and economical wear‑protection materials for abrasive and corrosive industrial environments.
https://www.basaltlinedpipe.com/abrasio … asalt.html
Where casting might be a method, perhaps also basalt might be worked with like glass is.
Scooped chunks might be further heated to allow 3D printing of basalt to create objects.
On the Moon while we might not want to pressurize a lava tube, if a cave were carved in the adjacent rock, then that might be good enough to pressurize.
On Earth and Mars and perhaps Vesta, these techniques might be valuable.
Ending
Last edited by Void (2026-11-01 20:19:44)
Be careful what you wish for.
Offline
Like button can go here
#4 Yesterday 11:46:24
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 10,011
Re: Rock Carving Methods
Some interesting questions from (th): https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 63#p242563
Presuming Mars or Earth, A might be a water pool. As a radiator.
B might be a wide shaft, divided from C by a suspended floor (Black Color).
In the pink/red areas C, we could melt the whole floor and somehow ladle out the rock melt.
But if it is heated to be soft and not quite melted the rock might be peeled like perhaps an Apple.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/revi … er-slicer/
Image Quote: 
The material handling device might deal with somewhat lower temperatures while dealing with peelings, rather than liquid rock.
The red line at the bottom might be less than melted, except that a power beam might malt a small spot. The pink area will still be cold relative to even being melted enough to peel. And the blue area may be cooler still.
If a peel could be fed to a build process, it might be more heated, to allow for basalt casting or glass-like additive build processes to make objects of value.
If peeling instead of melting were possible to implement, the temperatures that have to be handled may be a bit cooler, allow for more types of alloy and internal cooling methods to be used.
Rock melting in metallurgy is sort of about separating a desired metal from slag.
If dealing with rock extraction, you may not quite needed such high temperatures.
A lot of this is nominated as possible but not tested and proven.
But we have to start somewhere.
Various alternate processes might extract Oxygen, Water, Carbon, and perhaps some metals. But lets just stick to rock extraction to make caves and then making the extracted rock into useful objects.
Ending.
Last edited by Void (Yesterday 12:11:21)
Be careful what you wish for.
Offline
Like button can go here
#5 Yesterday 18:39:52
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 10,011
Re: Rock Carving Methods
Replying to this from (th): https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 77#p242577
In post #1 I indicated that the heat source to melt/soften the rock would be a gyrotron, like Quaise intends to use to drill holed down to up to 20 km. The gyrotron will need an electric energy source.
Now imagine a humanoid robot with the gyrotron wand in it's left hand and a scrapper/spoon,/peeler/scoop in its right hand.
The rock can partially melt and so then be somewhat like a paste. The robot with the scrapper can tell the left hand how to throttle the gyrotron, so that the rock does not fully melt, but is a sort of pasty consistency.
But the robot's various parts need to be kept reasonably cool, so that has to be provided for.
It may be that the motors for the arms will be above the black plate to help them stay cool and mechanical linkages would be used to actuate the action of the arms below the plate.
Ideally the paste will be applies very seen to a build process such as casting or 3D printing before it cools off too much. But in both casting and 3D printing another heat source will likely be desired.
Ending
Last edited by Void (Yesterday 18:46:06)
Be careful what you wish for.
Offline
Like button can go here
Pages: 1