NASA is now accepting applications from companies that want to mine the moon

It's kinda dumb to look for rare earths there when there are plenty down here.  What they should be doing is mining for oxygen.  Would that be included?  The article doesn't say.

Initial proposals are due tomorrow for the Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown program (CATALYST). One or more private companies will win a contract to build prospecting robots, the first step toward mining the moon.

The contract will be a "no funds exchanged" Space Agreement Act, which means the government will not be directly funding the effort, but will receive NASA support.---Adrianne Jefferies

From what I read, it doesn't look significant at all.