This video summarises a direct, molten salt based electro-reduction process for metals, especially Titanium:
(Titanium, of course, is a rather abundant but hard to win “super-metal.” See Wiki here for a more detailed summary. The process extends to other metals and of course turns on having abundant electrical energy.)
Let me add an illustration of the electrolytic cell:

. . . with a broader overview, 2004:

. . . nb here on universality, pardon the resolution, red — already in kg q’ties by 2004, blue achieved, grey, suitable . . . observe esp. not only Fe, Al etc but Si, Ge, Ga [not As though], W [= Tungsten, aka Wolfram], U, Th, Pu, as well as the rare earths that are key to high performance magnets thus motors etc:

. . . also, a comparison with Kroll clipped from the vid, illustrating relative simplicity and suggesting reduced financial and energy costs:

It’s time to start thinking about taking our civilisation forward, and metals are a critical material base. Of course, a natural target for energy production is advanced nuclear technologies. DV, soon — but first let us ponder the idea of open source re-industrialisation as a kick-starter for development and tech base for solar system colonisation. Why have we had a 50-year pause, near enough, after first landing men on the Moon? END
Thinking about moving civilisation forward: The FFC -Cambridge (Metalysis) Metal . . . esp. Ti . . . reduction process . . .
Solar system “colonization” is a pipe dream, mainly because none of the other Solar system planets (or any of the asteroidal bodies) are anything else than hellish wastelands to Earth life, especially humans. Extremely hostile environments, all of them, requiring a lot of very high technology mostly not yet developed, to protect fragile human bodies. Intolerable temperatures, pressures, poisonous atmospheric gases, the list goes on. Probably the worst is high radiation levels, requiring some kind of shield technology that is as of yet pure science fiction. Certainly the notion of self-sustaining colonies is pure science fantasy.
I think there is no practical or feasible “plan B” involving human survival in outer space colonies – we are stuck with our very privileged Earth, which we are rapidly ruining.
Doubter, in due course we will see just how much of a pipe dream long term — I am thinking 100 – 200 years as opening phase — sol system colonisation etc are. Recall, though, that targets 1, 2 and 3 are the Moon, Mars and the Asteroid belt, all of which are resource rich and none of which have hellish conditions. Onward, would be gas giant Moons. Where, the key point would be, resources not population centres in the first instance. Where, too, we should reflect on flight c. Dec 16, 1903 and how what we now routinely see all around must have then seemed an opium pipe dream; indeed, it took years for people to believe and take the Wrights seriously. Where also, a simple, readily accessible calculation will show that at 4 people per family, 7.5 billion people could occupy 1-acre plots in the land area of Australia; that sort of space per family can come pretty close to self-sufficiency, esp. for food and perhaps basic energy use. Though, I am more thinking of small, village like settlements capable of using an open source industrial civ. 2.0 base of technologies. (No, not Kibbutzes.) Our real challenge is not population (which is trending demographic collapse actually, currently) but energy and resources. That’s part of why I have pointed to the FFC-Cambridge molten salt electro reduction process as precisely a key breakthrough for winning strategic metals for high tech development, starting with Titanium. Onward, I intend to point to an alternative industrial strategy that can open the way to transformation of our planet while opening up technologies and systems that would support solar system colonisation. And, part of why I am raising this is that it is beginning to seem evident that by needlessly or in part artificially cramping our horizons and promoting a sense of overcrowding and almost hopeless crisis, there has been a long term trend of indoctrination and softening up for subjugation under a de facto global superstate and under supportive power centres in the media, unis, thinktanks, foundations, world-level big boys clubs etc, ruled by unaccountable mandarins. We need to deliberately break out of the globalist elite-controlled business as usual agendas and seemingly ironclad but actually utterly fallacious and cramping frames of thought. KF
PS: If you think such a view of the global elites is overly suspicious, I suggest that you have a look at the early wills of the notorious rapist of Africa and founder — not coincidentally — of the Rhodes Scholarships, Cecil B Rhodes.
F/N: Refocussing the FFC process, let’s see a few points. I have also added a couple of illustrations to the OP. First, on the process:
Observe also:
Si, of course, is the base for modern solid state electronics, as well as being a useful ingredient for steel alloys. Cr, V, Mo, Co and the like are key ingredients for stainless and other high performance steel alloys. Where, today, such alloys are increasingly produced by high pressure fusion of powders, including otherwise hard to combine components. Powder approaches also control size of carbide zones (and allow pervasive nitriding) controlling brittleness and other banes of the steel family of alloys.
Notice, here, on universality . . . i.e. potentially a key technology for general production of metals and alloys, including as noted the revolutionary direct production of otherwise hard to manufacture super alloys based on pressure and melting of powdered combinations . . . note, that includes the wave of Nitrogen rich steel alloys with high performance:
First Industrial plant announced, 2017 – 18:
That’s already interesting.
Now, here is the Lunarpedia view, where their primary point of concern is to manage Chlorine, the element they suggest as hard to get on the Moon:
In short, we see here what looks like a promising general reduction and alloying technology suitable for industrial transformation and for solar system colonisation. Where, the key is low cost electricity. Win, win, win.
Now, ask yourself, why something like this — great news for technological progress to the common benefit [just think, medical alloys and uses in engines and transportation systems] is not getting the splash headline, news channel chyron tickertape, talking head panel with remotes from the site 24/7 news and views cycle treatment.
KF
See the potential synergy between industrial advancement and dissemination for broad based development (breaking the poverty trap) and onward sol system colonisation?
F/N: Wiki summary of Kroll Ti reduction:
KF
F/N: Now that I can see how to get acceptably formatted chem eqns, here is Wiki on the FFC process:
KF
F/N: A key breakthrough, from the Adv Materials & Processes article:
So, the key insight was to use an unexpected material in a familiar context, a molten salt electrolytic process; namely an insulator. Shades of TRIZ and of lateral thinking.
Further to this, we are looking at something that is inherently highly modular at efficient scale: an electrolytic cell.
That means, once low cost electricity is available, we can pick the cheaper of, build near a transportation nexus, build near the electrical source, build near an ore source; or in the ideal case, cluster all three. Where, of course, nowadays, fibre optic cable brings in industrial strength access to the infosphere. (For solar system colonisation, we can connect the system-wide network using inter-planetary microwave or possibly maser or laser relays.)
As a comparison, the Ruhr industrial zone was strategic because it was on the Rhine and had coal. Iron ore could be brought in.
Then, once the metals are won, it is convenient to add value by manufacturing products nearby, using the industrial metals and alloys. This then opens up the circle of economic growth and development, with the construction industry as a key catalytic step. Population and commerce will be attracted, thence services; climbing the Hayek value added triangle and creating the economic base for reasonable taxation to provide key services.
Opening up a new industrial order, in short.
Also, showing how lengthening the tail of the Hayek triangle into the productivity core of knowledge, innovation, strategic resources and networks, sci and tech with sound government can potentially trigger transformation.
KF