Mining activities on the Moon appears to become a fast-approaching reality as U.S. astronomers reported last week the likely presence of titanium ore on the lone Earth's natural satellite, with reserves rich enough to encourage man in establishing a mine colony.

According to Agence France Press (AFP), a new lunar map drawn with the help of a camera deployed with the U.S. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter showed that beneath Moon's terrain lies titanium ore reservoir that is 10 times more abundant than what can be recovered on Earth.

Using a cutting-edge technology, the space camera utilised various light wavelengths that penetrated Moon's surface and transmitted back images that allowed scientists to appreciate its chemical composition beyond the rocky and sandy appearance.

In a report they presented in France on Friday last week, Mark Robinson of Arizona State University and Brett Denevi of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore revealed that when the new images obtained by the camera were compared with previous rock samples brought home during the numerous Apollo missions, startling discoveries about Moon's deeper make up stared them right in the face.

For most of us, Moon's surface is either shaded or greyish, Robinson allowed, but modern technologies now unmasked its colourful terrain and the elements beneath.

"The maria (or lunar plains) appears reddish in some places and blue in others ... and these colour variations tell us ... about the chemistry and evolution of the lunar surface," AFP reported Robinson as saying during last week's conference.

"They indicate the titanium and iron abundance, as well as the maturity of a lunar soil," the American astronomer then proceeded to reveal.

From its plain through its highland surfaces, scientists are projecting that the Moon is capable of yielding from one to 10 percent of titanium ore than what can be found on Earth. The precious metal, experts said, is both light and robust, making it an expensive resource product that should encourage even Australian miners to consider a moon mining expedition.

In a joint statement issued by the European Planetary Science Congress and the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences, both organizations declared that "lunar titanium is mostly found in the mineral ilmenite, a compound containing iron, titanium and oxygen."

"Future miners living and working on the Moon could break down ilmenite to liberate these elements," the two associations added as they stressed that the new lunar development bodes hefty investment returns for any mining investments on the moon.

"Apollo data shows that titanium-rich minerals are more efficient at retaining particles from the solar wind, such as helium and hydrogen ... These gases would also provide a vital resource for future human inhabitants of lunar colonies," the groups' manifesto further added.