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> the solution is not limited by cost

I'm not so sure... The valuation seems a bit absurd to me. Using the same valuation system, what would be the valuation of Earth?

Cost of extraction and transportation is still (and always) a consideration. Would the asteroid be significantly cheaper to mine than metal-rich veins on Earth? Even given hypothetical technology, could we not apply the same technologies to mine the same metals here on Earth cheaper?

I don't know the answers to these questions, but they're interesting to ponder.

>Using the same valuation system, what would be the valuation of Earth?

Google says Earth is worth $5 quadrillion.

So this one asteroid is four or five orders of magnitude more valuable than everything we’ve ever known

Is that just the reductive cumulative value of the raw materials?

Yes and this is only a clear and dramatic example. In theory, this actually applies to everything.

Excellent point.