The chang'e 2 photos & full high res map, gives you your answer.

No, the surface of the moon can't be used as a reflector (a refractor, perhaps), but the numerous Russian probes that have reflectors in order to calculate topography, exist on the moon.

The Van Allen theory is blown way out of proportion. It's a belt, not a sphere. We can bypass it.

Anyway, look at the Chang'e 2 maps. Humans were/are up there. Tell me, you don't see mining operations. They're all over.