Dutch, the problem is that we'd have to spend trillions to get stuff back that by virtue of gross over-supply would then be next to worthless. That quadtrillions estimate is what it would be worth at our current prices - which are set by rarity.
Look at aluminum for example. In the middle ages, it was so hard to extract that it actually worth more than gold by weight. Today, it is so abundant that it is one of the cheapest metals out there.
Ok, you want to discuss this seriously? LOL. OK, Engineer v economist...., battle of the nerds....
The Value of the asteroid is actually much HIGHER than estimated because of its location. Iron and nickel on earth would have to be lifted to high earth orbit before it can me used for space applications. It takes, what, 50 lbs of fuel to lift one pound to high earth orbit? Thus, since this asteroid is ALREADY in space, the value of a pound of iron or nickel there is higher by at least the cost of 50 lbs of fuel.......
