When do experts generally project full-scale profitable mining operations?

In the latter half of this century

Large-scale, profitable commercial mining is not an imminent reality but rather a long-term goal that requires decades of engineering progression. While pilot programs might emerge in the next 20 to 30 years as engineers test refining and prospecting technologies, the transition to full-scale operations—where private enterprises operate profitably at a large scale—is projected to take much longer. This timeline reflects the need for incremental technological milestones, legal evolution, and the development of space-based infrastructure before profit-driven mining becomes a viable, industry-standard operation.