Ceres Base established

Founding

Colonisation of the Belt

Project Ceres is a success. Rameses I establishes Ceres Base, a permanent mining colony, from where Hallidor subsidiary Ceres Metals begins surveying other asteroids. Rameses II tows the first nickel-iron asteroid back to Earth L-4 for strip mining. Within another year half a dozen other corporations and at least 20 private investors have staked claims in the asteroid belt and begun mining operations. The development of permanent mining colonies in the Belt is seen as a vital source of raw materials for the fledgling Mars colony.