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Asteroids and ore: Difference between revisions

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'''Ore''' is the basic material found in the various asteroid fields throughout EVE. In native form asteroid ores cannot be used, but must be refined into their constituent Minerals, which can then be used for ship and equipment manufacture.
{{Update|Needs an overhaul for the Catalyst expansion [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/catalyst-expansion-notes Expansion notes]}}


As a rule of thumb, the refinable value of an ore increases the nearer its name is to 'A', but at the same time, the minimum units needed to refine and the volume also increase. Since mining lasers work in m3 instead of ore units, and the volume of the higher end ores is up to 400 times that of the low-end ores, it's a good idea to check prices per m3. As of Feb 2010, there was about a 10 fold difference in the amount one makes per m3 (and therefore, per time) on the best ores versus veldspar. Also, the more valuable an ore type, the further from Empire space you will need to travel to find it.
'''Asteroids''' are large irregular chunks of rock that can be found in many places throughout New Eden. When mined, asteroids yield '''ore''' which, when refined, produces [[minerals]] of various types that serve as the basic building blocks of almost every [[Manufacturing|craftable]] item.


Ore can be found in asteroids of the same name and most asteroid ores can only be reprocessed in set minimum quantities.
== Where to find asteroids ==
Ore is harvested from Asteroids in an Asteroid belt by using Mining Lasers. This differs from Ice, which is harvested from Ice fields by using Ice Harvesters.
[[File:Asteroid-belt-ingame.jpg|thumb|An asteroid belt. The ship in the middle is sitting at the warp-in point.]]
[[File:Asteroid-belt.png|thumb|Asteroid belt geometry]]


===Asteroid Ores===
=== Asteroid belts ===
Ore found in any higher security area is also found in lower security areas of that region/faction. Ore found in 0.0 space varies wildly from system to system. However, certain ores only appear in 0.0 systems.
Virtually every star system in EVE (with the notable exception of Jita) has at least one asteroid belt. Most star systems have several – up to more than a dozen in some cases. These belts are listed on the [[overview]] and the right-click menu, and can have two kinds of geometry: one is a rough semicircle of asteroids, approximately 50 km in diameter, the other being asteroids dispersed over a spherical volume with a radius of about 70 km. A ship warping to an asteroid belt's beacon (through the right-click menu or the overview) will warp to the center of the asteroids. Note that mining lasers have an (unboosted) range of only 10-15 km, so in order to mine asteroids a ship has to fly closer to the belt after warping in. If you want to save on travel time, you can warp to [[Mining#Bookmarks|mining bookmarks]] instead.


[[File:Glow_roid_grid.jpg|500px|Roid Grid]]
A given belt will have a mixture of asteroids containing different ores. The mixture and size of the asteroids (i.e. how much ore each asteroid contains) is determined by the system's location in the EVE universe and its security status (see [[#Asteroid distribution|asteroid distribution]] below). Each asteroid belt contains a finite number of asteroids (which disappear once fully mined), but the asteroids respawn after [[downtime]] if there are no asteroids left. The website [https://evemaps.dotlan.net/ Dotlan] has maps showing the number of belts per system.


==List of ore and ice locations sorted by System Security==
=== Cosmic anomalies ===
One of the two kinds of [[Cosmic Anomaly|cosmic anomaly]] contains asteroids (the others contains hostile rats). The asteroids in cosmic anomalies tend to be a little larger and contain rarer ore than the normal asteroid belts in a star system. However, unlike asteroid belts, once all the asteroids in the anomaly have been mined, the anomaly disappears after broadcasting a short message in Local. As with all cosmic anomalies, new anomalies spawn semi-randomly.


===Amarr Quarter===
Note that in many locations you will find decorative asteroids, which cannot be mined or otherwise interacted with. These will have colorful names such as "Snake-shaped Asteroid".
This includes Amarr, Amatarr, Khanid,Blood Raider, and Sansha space.


*1.0 or lower:  Veldspar, Scordite, Clear Icicle
There are different types of asteroid cosmic anomalies, named by what kinds of ores are contained within. Each type comes in several variants (small, medium, average, and large) – the "larger" the anomaly, the more asteroids (and hence the more ore) it contains. A "Small Kernite and Omber Deposit" therefore contains a small number of Kernite and Omber asteroids, while a "Large Bistot Deposit" contains a large number of Bistot asteroids. Different types may have different number of variants. Smaller anomalies tend to contain only base ore variety and larger ones contain all three variaties (base, +5% and +10%).
*0.9 or lower:  Pyroxeres
*0.7 or lower:  Kernite
*0.4 or lower:  Jaspet
*0.3 or lower:  Glare Crust
*0.2 or lower:  Hemorphite
*0.1 or lower:  Dark Glitter
*0.0 or lower:  Enriched Clear Icicle
*0.0 or lower:  Gelidus
*0.0 or lower:  Gneiss
*0.0 or lower:  Spodumain
*0.0 or lower:  Krystallos
*0.0 or lower:  Bistot
*0.0 or lower:  Crokite, Arkonor
*0.0 or lower:  Mercoxit


===Caldari Quarter===
Highsec, Lowsec, NPC nullsec, Sovereign nullsec, Wormhole space and Triglavian space all have different types of anomalies.
This includes Caldari and Gurista space.


*1.0 or lower:  Veldspar, Scordite, White Glaze
=== Deadspace pockets ===
*0.9 or lower:  Pyroxeres
Mineable asteroids can also spawn in [[deadspace]] pockets, such as the ones created for missions. Unlike asteroid belts, these are not organized into a set shape. Some are composed of dense clumps of asteroids, while others are scattered fields. For a list of which missions' deadspace pockets contain asteroids, see [[Mission mining]] or [https://eve-survival.org/wikka.php?wakka=MiningInMissions EVE-survival].
*0.7 or lower:  Plagioclase
*0.4 or lower:  Kernite
*0.3 or lower:  Glare Crust
*0.2 or lower:  Hedbergite
*0.1 or lower: Dark Glitter
*0.0 or lower:  Pristine White Glaze
*0.0 or lower:  Gelidus
*0.0 or lower:  Dark Ochre
*0.0 or lower:  Krystallos, Crokite, Spodumain
*0.0 or lower:  Mercoxit
*0.0 or lower:  Bistot


===Gallente Quarter===
== Ore locations ==
*This includes Gallente and Serpentis space.
[[File:Asteroid-belt-overview.jpg|thumb|250px|An asteroid belt, as seen on the [[overview]]. Note the belt's warp-in point (marked with an inverted triangle), as well as the variety of different asteroid types (all labelled according to what kind of ore they contain).]]
{{hatnote|For the distribution of ice asteroids, see [[Ice harvesting#Ice distribution|Ice distribution]].}}
The EVE universe can be divided into [[topology|four quarters]]:
* The Amarr quarter (includes systems held by the Amarr, Ammatar, Khanid, Blood Raiders, and Sansha's Nation)
* The Caldari quarter (includes systems held by the Caldari and Guristas)
* The Gallente quarter (includes systems held by the Gallente and Serpentis)
* The Minmatar quarter (includes systems held by the Minmatar and Angel Cartel)


*1.0 or lower:  Veldspar, Scordite, Blue Ice
Each of these four quarters has its own set of asteroid types. Additionally, systems with different [[Security Rating|security rating]] have different asteroid types.
*0.9 or lower:  Plagioclase
*0.7 or lower:  Omber
*0.4 or lower:  Jaspet
*0.3 or lower:  Glare_crustGlare Crust
*0.2 or lower:  Hemorphite
*0.0 or lower:  Thick Blue Ice
*0.0 or lower:  Gelidus
*0.0 or lower:  Dark Ochre
*0.0 or lower:  Crokite, BistotBistot
*0.0 or lower:  Krystallos
*0.0 or lower:  Mercoxit
*0.0 or lower:  Arkonor


===Minmatar Quarter===
=== Ores in belts ===
This includes Minmatar and Angel space.
==== Highsec and lowsec ====
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
! rowspan=2 | System<br>security<br>rating
! colspan=4 | Quarter
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
! [[File:Logo_faction_amarr_empire.png|64px|link=|Amarr quarter]]
! [[File:Logo_faction_caldari_state.png|64px|link=|Caldari quarter]]
! [[File:Logo_faction_gallente_federation.png|64px|link=|Gallente quarter]]
! [[File:Logo_faction_minmatar_republic.png|64px|link=|Minmatar quarter]]
|-
| {{co|#00F000|█}} High Sec<br> 1.0 to 0.5
| colspan=4 style="text-align:center" | [[File:ore_veldspar.png|32px|link=|Veldspar]] Veldspar<br>[[File:ore_scordite.png|32px|link=|Scordite]] Scordite
|-
| {{co|#00F000|█}} High Sec<br> 0.9 to 0.5
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres <br> &le; 0.7: also [[File:ore_plagioclase.png|32px|link=|Plagioclase]] Plagioclase
| [[File:ore_plagioclase.png|32px|link=|Plagioclase]] Plagioclase
| [[File:ore_plagioclase.png|32px|link=|Plagioclase]] Plagioclase
|-
| {{co|#E6D64F|█}} Low Sec<br> 0.4 to 0.1
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres<br>[[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite <br> [[File:ore_jaspet.png|32px|link=|Jaspet]] Jaspet
| [[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite <br>[[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
| [[File:ore_omber.png|32px|link=|Omber]] Omber <br> [[File:ore_jaspet.png|32px|link=|Jaspet]] Jaspet
| [[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite <br> [[File:ore_omber.png|32px|link=|Omber]] Omber
|-
| {{co|#E6D64F|█}} Low Sec<br> 0.2 to 0.1
| [[File:ore_hemorphite.png|32px|link=|Hemorphite]] Hemorphite
| [[File:ore_hedbergite.png|32px|link=|Hedbergite]] Hedbergite
| [[File:ore_hemorphite.png|32px|link=|Hemorphite]] Hemorphite
| [[File:ore_hedbergite.png|32px|link=|Hedbergite]] Hedbergite
|}
 
=== Ores in null security space ===
Null security space is not as clearly defined as high security due to being player owned. Instead it is easiest to classify it by Security Class, which is most easily viewed via sites like [https://evemaps.dotlan.net/ Dotlan] by using the Security Class filter on a map. We will ignore the security class number, using only the letter, as it seems this is exactly what is important.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Security class letter used for null security regions
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
! Class !! Region !! Pirates type
|-
| style="text-align: center" | F || Detorid, Cache, Insmother, Impass, Feythabolis, Tenerifis, Omist || Angel Cartel
|-
| style="text-align: center" | G || Stain, Esoteria, Querious, Paragon Soul, Delve, Period Basis || Blood Raiders and Sansha
|-
| style="text-align: center" | H || Vale of the Silent, Tribute, Venal, Geminate, Deklein, Tenal, Branch || Guristas
|-
| style="text-align: center" | I || Wicked Creek, Scalding Pass, Great Wildlands, Curse, Catch, Immensea, Providence || Angel Cartel
|-
| style="text-align: center" | J || Pure Blind, Syndicate, Fade, Cloud Ring, Outer Ring, Fountain || Serpentis and Guristas (Pure Blind)
|-
| style="text-align: center" | K || Cobalt Edge, Perrigen Falls, Malpais, Oasa, Kalevala Expanse, Outer Passage, Etherium Reach, The Spire || Drones
|}
 
Security class F-J follow simple rules defined in the following table. Note that for many regions some security levels do not exist leading to missing some ores, for example in Curse all systems are between 0.0 and -0.3 which according to this table leads to no ore belts at all.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
! rowspan=2 | System<br>true sec
! colspan=6 | Security Class
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
! F
! G
! H
! I
! J
|-
| &le; 0.0:
| -
| [[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
| -
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
|-
| &le; -0.4:
| -
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
| -
| -
| -
|-
| &le; -0.5:
| [[File:ore_bistot.png|32px|link=|Bistot]] Bistot
|  -
| [[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite
| -
| [[File:ore_bistot.png|32px|link=|Bistot]] Bistot
|-
| &le; -0.6:
| [[File:ore_arkonor.png|32px|link=|Arkonor]] Arkonor
| [[File:ore_bistot.png|32px|link=|Bistot]] Bistot
| -
| -
| -
|-
| &le; -0.7:
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
| -
| -
| [[File:ore_arkonor.png|32px|link=|Arkonor]] Arkonor
| -
|-
| &le; -0.8:
! colspan= 6 | [[File:ore_mercoxit.png|32px|link=|Mercoxit]] Mercoxit
|-
| &le; -0.9:
| -
| -
| [[File:ore_bistot.png|32px|link=|Bistot]] Bistot
| [[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite
| [[File:ore_arkonor.png|32px|link=|Arkonor]] Arkonor
|}
 
Note that there seem to be some additional exceptions that do not show in-game through the Agency window, but are present in belts. For example, -1.0 system MVUO-F in Period Basis seems to have Arkonor in belts in addition to four other ores predicted by this table.{{verify}}
 
Dronelands regions (class K) all contain Arkonor, Bistot and Mercoxit, but the security level at which each ore starts differs from region to region. Moreover, even inside of a region contents of belts differ a lot between systems which hints that there is some other rule used here. The general rule seems to be that the further from Empire, the less ores are present. For example, in Etherium Reach, close to Empire, Bistot starts from 0.0, Arkonor starts from -0.2 and Mercoxit starts from -0.5 (though not in all -0.5 systems). On the other hand, in Cobalt Edge Bistot starts from -0.6, Arkonor from -0.7 and Mercoxit from -0.8.
 
Note that mining Mercoxit requires the {{sk|Deep Core Mining}} skill as well as [[ORE Basic Ship and Skill Guide#High-slot modules|special mining modules]] (Deep Core Miners or Deep Core Strip Miners). All other ore types can be mined with all types of ore mining lasers or strip miners.
 
=== Ore anomalies ===
For more detailed information on ore locations: https://ore.cerlestes.de/ore
 
{{Hatnote|The 'hidden' versions of the sites are technically not anomalies but [[cosmic signature]]s as they need to be scanned down.}}
 
==== High security space ====
{{see also|High-sec}}
* [[Asteroid Belt Remnants]] anomaly in starter and career agents systems which contain Veldspar.
** ''With the Catalyst expansion revamped to <empire> Managed Asteroid Belt (i.e. Republic Managed Asteroid Belt in Minmatar space)''
*** Only one per system
*** Gated and limited to basic [[venture]]s and standard [[corvette]]s
* Omber Deposit<ref name=CatExp /> ([[Small Omber Deposit|small]] • [[Average Omber Deposit|Average]] • [[Large Omber Deposit|Large]]). Spawns rarely in all high security space between 0.5 and 0.8 security rating.
* Kernite and Omber Deposit<ref name=CatExp /> ([[Small Kernite and Omber Deposit|small]] • [[Average Kernite and Omber Deposit|Average]] • [[Large Kernite and Omber Deposit|Large]]). Spawns rarely in all high security space between 0.5 and 0.8 security rating.
* Small Mordunium Deposit, in 0.5 security systems bordering lowsec<ref name= R2025-07-31.1 />
 
==== Low security space ====
{{see also|Low-sec}}
* Jaspet ([[Average Jaspet Deposit|average]])
* Gneiss ([[Small Gneiss Deposit|small]] • [[Hidden Gneiss Deposit|hidden]] • [[Average Gneiss Deposit|average]] • [[Large Gneiss Deposit|large]])
* Dark Ochre and Gneiss ([[Small Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|small]] • [[Hidden Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|hidden]] • [[Average Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|average]] • [[Large Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|large]])
* Crokite and Dark Ochre ([[Small Crokite and Dark Ochre Deposit|small]] • [[Average Crokite and Dark Ochre Deposit|average]] • [[Large Crokite and Dark Ochre Deposit|large]])
* Crokite, Dark Ochre and Gneiss ([[Small Crokite, Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|small]] • [[Average Crokite, Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|average]] • [[Large Crokite, Dark Ochre and Gneiss Deposit|large]])
* Hedbergite, Hemorphite and Jaspet ([[Small Hedbergite, Hemorphite and Jaspet Deposit|small]] • [[Average Hedbergite, Hemorphite and Jaspet Deposit|average]] • [[Large Hedbergite, Hemorphite and Jaspet Deposit|large]])
* [[Mordunium Deposit]], only in non-[[Faction Warfare]] systems<ref name= R2025-07-31.1 />
 
==== Null security space ====
{{see also|Null-sec}}
 
* Arkonor and Bistot - Pre-Equinox sites
** [[Small Arkonor and Bistot Deposit]] - unknown respawn, 224k{{m3}} volume, rocks size: 28k, 37k
** [[Medium Arkonor and Bistot Deposit]] - unknown respawn, 448k{{m3}} volume, rocks size: 32k, 45k
** [[Average Arkonor and Bistot Deposit]] - unknown respawn, 576k{{m3}} volume, rocks size: 16k, 19k
** [[Large Arkonor and Bistot Deposit]] - unknown respawn, 2.63m{{m3}} volume, rock size 21k, 23k, 30k, 36k 41k, 44k
* Bistot - Pre-Equinox sites
** [[Small Bistot Deposit]] - unknown
** [[Average Bistot Deposit]] - unknown
** [[Large Bistot Deposit]] - unknown respawn, 2.39m{{m3}} volume, rock size 56k
 
Note that mining Mercoxit requires the {{sk|Deep Core Mining}} skill as well as [[ORE Basic Ship and Skill Guide#High-slot modules|special mining modules]] (Deep Core Miners or Deep Core Strip Miners). All other ore types can be mined with all types of ore mining lasers or strip miners.
 
===== Ore Prospecting Arrays =====
In player-owned [[Sovereignty|sovereign nullsec]], it is possible to deploy [[Ore Prospecting Array]]s, a deployable sovereignty structure which, when deployed in a system, periodically generates asteroid clusters of various sizes at set intervals.
 
All sizes of asteroid clusters are capable of spawning regardless of system security status, and all clusters of a given size contain the same volume of ore, but asteroid clusters in lower security levels will spawn the more valuable ore variants with greater frequency. All clusters contain varying amounts of all Arkonor and Bistot, additionally different clusters provide access to Mercoxit, Pyroxeres, Omber, Kernite, Crokite.
 
These sites sometimes spawn as Large Potent Asteroid Cluster, Enormous Potent Asteroid Cluster, and Colossal Potent Asteroid Cluster.  Rich variants have been spotted as well.  These are usually variations of the sec status of the space.
 
* [[Small Asteroid Cluster]] - 1 hour respawn, 340k{{m3}} volume, rocks size: 20k or 80k{{m3}}
* [[Medium Asteroid Cluster]] - 2 hour respawn, 1.18m{{m3}} volume, avg rocks size: 12k, 15k, 72k, 133k, 160k
* [[Large Asteroid Cluster]] - 3 hour respawn, 1.88m{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 2.6k, 48k, 192k, 266k
* [[Enormous Asteroid Cluster]] - 4 hour respawn, 3.21m{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 7k, 8k, 30k, 200k, 432k
* [[Colossal Asteroid Cluster]] - 5 hour respawn, 3.90m{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 28.8k, 160k, 200k
 
Respawn cooldown to all Asteroid Cluster anomalies scales based on the size of the anomaly, listed above.
 
Some of these new sites are majorly changed with the Equinox release <ref>[https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/sovereignty-updates-transition-and-upgrades Sovereignty Updates: Transition & Upgrades]</ref>, with players able to pick which anomalies they want to spawn. A new smaller Prospecting Array was added, and the existing Prospecting Arrays were moved to 'Isogen Prospecting Arrays 2'<ref>Patch notes: [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-22-01#h2-1 Version 22.01 release 2024-10-30.1]</ref>.
 
* Isogen Prospecting Arrays
** 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 325k volume, avg rock size: unknown
** 2 - [[Griemeer Deposit]] - 4:20 hours respawn time, 3m volume, avg rock size: 36k, 37k, 39k, 43k
** 3 - [[Large Griemeer Deposit]] - TBD
* Mexallon Prospecting Array
** 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 500k volume, avg rock size: unknown
** 2 - [[Kylixium Deposit]] - 4:20 hour respawn time, 3.0m volume, avg rock size: 26k, 33k, 37k, 39k
** 3 - [[Large Kylixium Deposit]] -  TBD
* Megacyte Prospecting Array
** 1 - [[Small Ueganite Deposit]] - 1 hour respawn time, 500k volume, avg rock size: 11k, 15k, 20k, 24k
** 2 - [[Ueganite Deposit]] - 4:20 hour respawn time, 4.0m volume, avg rock size: 37k, 45k, 51k
** 3 - [[Large Ueganite Deposit]] - TBD
* Mercoxit (Does not have an official Prospecting Array, just shows up alongside other arrays)
** [[Small Mercoxit Deposit]] - exists, 10k volume
** [[Average Mercoxit Deposit]] - exists, 40k volume
** [[Large Mercoxit Deposit]] - 8 hours respawn time, 240k volume, avg rock size: 10k, 13k, 17k
** [[Enormous Mercoxit Deposit]] - 12 hour respawn time, 960k volume
* Nocxium Prospecting Array
** 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 325k volume, avg rock size: unknown
** 2 - [[Nocxite Deposit]] - 4:20 hour respawn time, 3.0m volume, avg rock size: 19k, 22k, 27k, 63k
* Pyerite Prospecting Array
** 1 - Small Mordunium Deposit(TBD) - 1:00 hour respawn time, 1,000k volume, avg rock size: unknown
*** Will also rarely appear in highsec 0.5 systems which border lowsec<ref name= R2025-07-31.1 />.
** 2 - [[Mordunium Deposit]] - 4:20 hour respawn time, 6.0m volume, avg rock size: 38k, 40k, 46k, 63k
*** Will also rarely appear in lowsec non-[[Faction Warfare]] systems<ref name= R2025-07-31.1 />.
** 3 - [[Large Mordunium Deposit]] - TBD
* Tritanium Prospecting Array
** 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 500k volume, avg rock size: unknown
** 2 - [[Veldspar Deposit]] - 4:20 hour respawn time, 3.7m volume, avg rock size: 31k, 35k, 41k
** 3 - [[Large Veldspar Deposit]] - TBD
* Zydrine Prospecting Array
** 1 - [[Small Hezorime Deposit]] - 1:00 hour respawn time, 750k volume, avg rock size: unknown
** 2 - [[Hezorime Deposit]] - 4:20 hours respawn time, 5.6m volume, avg rock size: 33k, 132k, 240k
** 3 - [[Large Hezorime Deposit]] - TBD
 
Note that the respawn timer for medium deposits begin when a site is fully cleared, but small deposits begin their respawn timer as soon as the first ship warps onto the site.
 
===== Mining Escalation =====
The [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/sovereignty-updates-transition-and-upgrades Equinox release] introduced a mining Escalation called the "Interstitial Ore Deposit". (Escalations are chance-based secondary sites that can be created when you finish certain sites.) This voluminous asteroid field is more valuable compared to standard null sec fields both in total value and ISK-per-minute terms, however it seems to be quite rare. They de-spawn 6 hours after creation, per the person who reported it <ref>Redit post: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Eve/comments/1dy5l40/mining_escalations Mining Escalations] by matzy_2000</ref>.
 
* [[Interstitial Ore Deposit]] - no respawn timer, expires in 6 hours, 8.5m volume, avg rock sizes: 69k, 89k, 160k.  (was 4.5m volume, avg rock sizes: 8k, 11k, 15k, 18k, 20k, 22k)
 
==== Wormholes ====
{{Main|Wormhole sites#Ore sites}}
Arkonor, Bistot, Gneiss, Kernite, Omber, and Pyroxeres deposits may be found in wormholes.
 
==== Pochven ====
With the creation of [[Pochven]], new ore types were added to the game which can only be found in these areas. Bezdnacine, Rakovene, and Talassonite are the new ores, while Spodumain and Mercoxit can also be found there, with Mercoxit only spawning in home systems.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| {{co|#741313|█}} Pochven
| [[File:ore_talassonite.png|32px|link=|Talassonite]] Talassonite [[File:ore_rakovene.png|32px|link=|Rakovene]] Rakovene [[File:ore_bezdnacine.png|32px|link=|Bezdnacine]] Bezdnacine
|}
==== Border ores ====
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
| {{co|#42ECFF|█}} Null Sec & Wormhole with A0 star <br>0.5 High-Low border systems
| [[File:ore_spodumain.png|32px|link=|Ducinium]] Ducinium [[File:ore_arkonor.png|32px|link=|Eifyrium]] Eifyrium [[File:ore_veldspar.png|32px|link=|Mordunium]] Mordunium [[File:ore_omber.png|32px|link=|Ytirium]] Ytirium
|-
|}
 
* [[Empire Border Rare Asteroids]] - instant respawn, 211k{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 7.5k, 8k, 17k, 33k
* [[Nullsec Border Rare Asteroids]] - instant respawn, 279k+{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 13k, 15k, 49k
* [[Nullsec Blue A0 Rare Asteroids]] - instant respawn, 3.5m{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 9k, 28k, 44k, 144k
* [[W-Space Blue A0 Rare Asteroids]] - instant respawn, 1.8m{{m3}} volume, avg rock size: 9k, 21k, 40k, 43k, 64k, 108k


*1.0 or lower:  Veldspar, Scordite, Glacial Mass
{{expansion past|
*0.9 or lower:  Plagioclase
The Resource Distribution update on December 17, 2019 removed Veldspar and Spodumain from Null Sec Asteroid belts, and reduced the value of the largest Ore Prospecting Anomalies. It is as of yet unclear if the removed ore types were replaced with others at different security levels and classes. See [https://www.eveonline.com/article/q2tmpn/resource-distribution this dev post] for the official announcement, which deliberately came 3 days after the change.
*0.7 or lower: Omber
}}
*0.4 or lower:  Kernite
*0.3 or lower:  Glare crust
*0.2 or lower:  Hedbergite
*0.1 or lower:  Dark Glitter
*0.0 or lower:  Smooth Glacial Mass
*0.0 or lower:  Gelidus
*0.0 or lower:  Spodumain
*0.0 or lower:  Bistot, GneissGneiss
*0.0 or lower:  Krystallos
*0.0 or lower:  Arkonor
*0.0 or lower:  Mercoxit


==Density==
== Ore variants ==
This table lists ore and higher density ore names.
Most asteroid types have two extra subtypes (''<ore>'' II-Grade, +5% and ''<ore>'' III-Grade, +10%) that yield more minerals when [[reprocessing]]; some of the ores also have a +15%  (''<ore>'' IV-Grade) subtype. Otherwise they are identical in every way to their base ore, and are found in the same regions, but in lower quantities. For instance, if an asteroid belt has Omber asteroids, it will also have some Omber II-Grade asteroids and a few Omber III-Grade asteroids. If you get the chance, you should always mine the higher-yield variants before mining the base ore.


{|width=40% border="1" Style="padding: 1em"
{| class="wikitable"
|width=34% |'''Ore'''
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
|width=33% |'''5% Variation'''
! Ore
|width=33% |'''10% Variation '''
! size ({{m3|ns}})
! Minerals
! Note
|-
| [[File:ore_veldspar.png|32px|link=|Veldspar]] Veldspar
| 0.1
| Tritanium
|-
| [[File:ore_scordite.png|32px|link=|Scordite]] Scordite
| 0.15
| Tritanium, Pyerite
|-
| [[File:ore_pyroxeres.png|32px|link=|Pyroxeres]] Pyroxeres
| 0.3
| Pyerite, Mexallon
|-
| [[File:ore_plagioclase.png|32px|link=|Plagioclase]] Plagioclase
| 0.35
| Tritanium, Mexallon
|-
| [[File:ore_omber.png|32px|link=|Omber]] Omber
| 0.6
| Pyerite, Isogen
|-
| [[File:ore_kernite.png|32px|link=|Kernite]] Kernite
| 1.2
| Mexallon, Isogen
|-
| [[File:ore_jaspet.png|32px|link=|Jaspet]] Jaspet
| 2
| Mexallon, Nocxium
|-
| [[File:ore_hemorphite.png|32px|link=|Hemorphite]] Hemorphite
| 3
| Isogen, Nocxium
|-
| [[File:ore_hedbergite.png|32px|link=|Hedbergite]] Hedbergite
| 3
| Pyerite, Nocxium
|-
| [[File:ore_gneiss.png|32px|link=|Gneiss]] Gneiss
| 5
| Pyerite, Mexallon, Isogen
|-
| [[File:ore_dark ochre.png|32px|link=|Dark Ochre]] Dark Ochre
| 8
| Mexallon, Isogen, Nocxium
|-
| [[File:ore_crokite.png|32px|link=|Crokite]] Crokite
| 16
| Pyerite, Mexallon, Nocxium
|-
| [[File:ore_spodumain.png|32px|link=|Spodumain]] Spodumain
| 16
| Tritanium, Isogen, Nocxium, Zydrine, Megacyte
|-
| [[File:ore_arkonor.png|32px|link=|Arkonor]] Arkonor
| 16
| Pyerite, Mexallon, Megacyte
|-
| [[File:ore_bistot.png|32px|link=|Bistot]] Bistot
| 16
| Pyerite, Mexallon, Zydrine
|-
| [[File:ore_mercoxit.png|32px|link=|Mercoxit]] Mercoxit
| 40
| Morphite
| No IV-Grade
|-
| [[File:ore_ducinium.png|32px|link=|Ducinium]] Ducinium
| 16
| Megacyte
|-
| [[File:ore_eifyrium.png|32px|link=|Eifyrium]] Eifyrium
| 16
| Zydrine
|-
| [[File:ore_mordunium.png|32px|link=|Mordunium]] Mordunium
| 0.1
| Pyerite
|-
| [[File:ore_ytirium.png|32px|link=|Ytirium]] Ytirium
| 0.6
| Isogen
|-
| [[File:ore_bezdnacine.png|32px|link=|Bezdnacine]] Bezdnacine
| 16
| Tritanium, Isogen, Megacyte
| No IV-Grade
|-
| [[File:ore_rakovene.png|32px|link=|Rakovene]] Rakovene
| 16
| Tritanium, Isogen, Zydrine
| No IV-Grade
|-
| [[File:ore_talassonite.png|32px|link=|Talassonite]] Talassonite
| 16
| Tritanium, Nocxium, Megacyte
| No IV-Grade
|-
| [[File:ore_griemeer.png|32px|link=|Griemeer]] Griemeer
| 0.8
| Tritanium, Isogen
|-
| [[File:ore_hezorime.png|32px|link=|Hezorime]] Hezorime
| 5
| Tritanium, Isogen, Zydrine
|-
| [[File:ore_kylixium.png|32px|link=|Kylixium]] Kylixium
| 1.20
| Tritanium, Pyerite, Mexallon
|-
|-
|Veldspar
| [[File:ore_nocxite.png|32px|link=|Nocxite]] Nocxite
|Concentrated Veldspar
| 4
|Dense Veldspar
| Tritanium, Pyerite, Nocxium
|-
|-
|Scordite
| [[File:ore_ueganite.png|32px|Ueganite]] Ueganite
|Condensed Scordite
| 5
|Massive Scordite
| Tritanium, Megacyte
|-
|-
|Pyroxeres
| [[File:ore_prismaticite.png|32px|Prismaticite]] Prismaticite
|Solid Pyroxeres
| 40
|Viscous Pyroxeres
| Random
| No variants
|}
{{expansion past|
The catalyst expansion in November 2025 changed the ore variable's names from individual words to the Grade system. This change was not mentioned in the [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/catalyst-expansion-notes expansion notes]. As of 27 November 2025 these names are still mentioned in the ore info's description tab.
}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+ Pre Catalyst ore variant names.
|- style="background-color: var(--background-color-warning-subtle);"
! Base ore
! +5% variant
! +10% variant
! +15% variant
|-
|-
|Plagioclase
| Veldspar
|Azure Plagioclase
| Concentrated Veldspar
|Rich Plagioclase
| Dense Veldspar
| Stable Veldspar
|-
|-
|Omber
| Scordite
|Silvery Omber
| Condensed Scordite
|Golden Omber
| Massive Scordite
| Glossy Scordite
|-
|-
|Kernite
| Pyroxeres
|Luminous Kernite
| Solid Pyroxeres
|Fiery Kernite
| Viscous Pyroxeres
| Opulent Pyroxeres
|-
|-
|Jaspet
| Plagioclase
|Pure Jaspet
| Azure Plagioclase
|Pristine Jaspet
| Rich Plagioclase
| Sparkling Plagioclase
|-
|-
|Hemorphite
| Omber
|Vivid Hemorphite
| Silvery Omber
|Radiant Hemorphite
| Golden Omber
| Platinoid Omber
|-
|-
|Hedbergite
| Kernite
|Vitric Hedbergite
| Luminous Kernite
|Glazed Hedbergite
| Fiery Kernite
| Resplendant Kernite
|-
|-
|Gneiss
| Jaspet
|Iridescent Gneiss
| Pure Jaspet
|Prismatic Gneiss
| Pristine Jaspet
| Immaculate Jaspet
|-
|-
|Dark Ochre
| Hemorphite
|Onyx Ochre
| Vivid Hemorphite
|Obsidian Ochre
| Radiant Hemorphite
| Scintillating Hemorphite
|-
|-
|Spodumain
| Hedbergite
|Bright Spodumain
| Vitric Hedbergite
|Gleaming Spodumain
| Glazed Hedbergite
| Lustrous Hedbergite
|-
|-
|Crokite
| Gneiss
|Sharp Crokite
| Iridescent Gneiss
|Crystalline Crokite
| Prismatic Gneiss
| Brilliant Gneiss
|-
|-
|Bistot
| Dark Ochre
|Triclinic Bistot
| Onyx Ochre
|Monoclinic Bistot
| Obsidian Ochre
| Jet Ochre
|-
|-
|Arkonor
| Crokite
|Crimson Arkonor
| Sharp Crokite
|Prime Arkonor
| Crystalline Crokite
| Pellucid Crokite
|-
|-
|Mercoxit
| Spodumain
|Magma Mercoxit
| Bright Spodumain
|Vitreous Mercoxit
| Gleaming Spodumain
| Dazzling Spodumain
|-
| Arkonor
| Crimson Arkonor
| Prime Arkonor
| Flawless Arkonor
|-
| Bistot
| Triclinic Bistot
| Monoclinic Bistot
| Cubic Bistot
|-
| Mercoxit
| Magma Mercoxit
| Vitreous Mercoxit
| -
|-
| Ducinium
| Noble Ducinium
| Royal Ducinium
| Imperial Ducinium
|-
| Eifyrium
| Doped Eifyrium
| Boosted Eifyrium
| Augmented Eifyrium
|-
| Mordunium
| Plum Mordunium
| Prize Mordunium
| Plunder Mordunium
|-
| Ytirium
| Bootleg Ytirium
| Firewater Ytirium
| Moonshine Ytirium
|-
| Bezdnacine
| Abyssal Bezdnacine
| Hadal Bezdnacine
| -
|-
| Rakovene
| Abyssal Rakovene
| Hadal Rakovene
| -
|-
| Talassonite
| Abyssal Talassonite
| Hadal Talassonite
| -
|-
| Griemeer
| Clear Griemeer
| Inky Griemeer
| Opaque Griemeer
|-
| Hezorime
| Dull Hezorime
| Serrated Hezorime
| Sharp Hezorime
|-
| Kylixium
| Kaolin Kylixium
| Argil Kylixium
| Adobe Kylixium
|-
| Nocxite
| Fragrant Nocxite
| Intoxicating Nocxite
| Ambrosial Nocxite
|-
| Ueganite
| Foggy Ueganite
| Overcast Ueganite
| Stormy Ueganite
|}
|}
<!-- Move ice distribution to [[Ice mining]] (but link from here!)-->
{{expansion past | On 30 March 2020, CCP pushed a [https://www.eveonline.com/article/q7v1q4/moon-mineral-distribution-update previously announced] but unscheduled update that changed moon ore distribution across all types of space. Prior to this change, moons could provide asteroid ores with +15% reprocessing yield. These ores are no longer obtainable outside of trading with players.
These ores were called; Stable Veldspar, Glossy Scordite, Opulent Pyroxeres, Sparkling Plagioclase, Platinoid Omber, Resplendant Kernite, Immaculate Jaspet, Scintillating Hemorphite, Lustrous Hedbergite, Brilliant Gneiss, Jet Ochre, Pellucid Crokite, Dazzling Spodumain, Flawless Arkonor, Cubic Bistot. There is no Mercoxit +15% variant.}}
== Mineral composition of ores ==
{{Main|Minerals}}
{{See also|Reprocessing}}
The main goal of asteroid mining is to obtain ore that may be [[Reprocessing|reprocessed]] into [[minerals]]: [[File:Mineral tritanium.png|24px|link=]] Tritanium,
[[File:Mineral pyerite.png|24px|link=]] Pyerite,
[[File:Mineral mexallon.png|24px|link=]] Mexallon,
[[File:Mineral isogen.png|24px|link=]] Isogen,
[[File:Mineral nocxium.png|24px|link=]] Nocxium,
[[File:Mineral zydrine.png|24px|link=]] Zydrine,
[[File:Mineral megacyte.png|24px|link=]] Megacyte and
[[File:Mineral morphite.png|24px|link=]] Morphite. The amounts of particular mineral highly differ between different ores, leading to some ores being in high demand and having high market value and some ores being borderline worthless.
== References ==
<references>
<ref name=CatExp>Reintroduced in the Catalyst expansion. [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/catalyst-expansion-notes Expansion notes]</ref>
<ref name= R2025-07-31.1>Added with Pyerite Balance [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-23-01 Version 23.01] Release 2025-07-31.1. but in the wrong systems. This was fixed in the defect fixes of release 2025-08-01.1</ref>
</references>
== External links ==
* [https://ore.cerlestes.de/index.html#site:ore Erlestes ore and mineral tables]
{{Mining Links}}


==External links==
*[https://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Locations_of_ore_and_ice_in_space Evelopedia:Locations of ore and ice in space]
*[https://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/Item_Database:Manufacture_&_Research:Materials:Ore_&_Minerals_:Ore Evelopedia:Ore]


[[Category:Mining]]
[[Category:Mining]]
[[Category:Eve Lexicon]]

Latest revision as of 04:45, 4 December 2025

This page should be updated due to game changes.
Reason: Needs an overhaul for the Catalyst expansion Expansion notes

Asteroids are large irregular chunks of rock that can be found in many places throughout New Eden. When mined, asteroids yield ore which, when refined, produces minerals of various types that serve as the basic building blocks of almost every craftable item.

Where to find asteroids

An asteroid belt. The ship in the middle is sitting at the warp-in point.
Asteroid belt geometry

Asteroid belts

Virtually every star system in EVE (with the notable exception of Jita) has at least one asteroid belt. Most star systems have several – up to more than a dozen in some cases. These belts are listed on the overview and the right-click menu, and can have two kinds of geometry: one is a rough semicircle of asteroids, approximately 50 km in diameter, the other being asteroids dispersed over a spherical volume with a radius of about 70 km. A ship warping to an asteroid belt's beacon (through the right-click menu or the overview) will warp to the center of the asteroids. Note that mining lasers have an (unboosted) range of only 10-15 km, so in order to mine asteroids a ship has to fly closer to the belt after warping in. If you want to save on travel time, you can warp to mining bookmarks instead.

A given belt will have a mixture of asteroids containing different ores. The mixture and size of the asteroids (i.e. how much ore each asteroid contains) is determined by the system's location in the EVE universe and its security status (see asteroid distribution below). Each asteroid belt contains a finite number of asteroids (which disappear once fully mined), but the asteroids respawn after downtime if there are no asteroids left. The website Dotlan has maps showing the number of belts per system.

Cosmic anomalies

One of the two kinds of cosmic anomaly contains asteroids (the others contains hostile rats). The asteroids in cosmic anomalies tend to be a little larger and contain rarer ore than the normal asteroid belts in a star system. However, unlike asteroid belts, once all the asteroids in the anomaly have been mined, the anomaly disappears after broadcasting a short message in Local. As with all cosmic anomalies, new anomalies spawn semi-randomly.

Note that in many locations you will find decorative asteroids, which cannot be mined or otherwise interacted with. These will have colorful names such as "Snake-shaped Asteroid".

There are different types of asteroid cosmic anomalies, named by what kinds of ores are contained within. Each type comes in several variants (small, medium, average, and large) – the "larger" the anomaly, the more asteroids (and hence the more ore) it contains. A "Small Kernite and Omber Deposit" therefore contains a small number of Kernite and Omber asteroids, while a "Large Bistot Deposit" contains a large number of Bistot asteroids. Different types may have different number of variants. Smaller anomalies tend to contain only base ore variety and larger ones contain all three variaties (base, +5% and +10%).

Highsec, Lowsec, NPC nullsec, Sovereign nullsec, Wormhole space and Triglavian space all have different types of anomalies.

Deadspace pockets

Mineable asteroids can also spawn in deadspace pockets, such as the ones created for missions. Unlike asteroid belts, these are not organized into a set shape. Some are composed of dense clumps of asteroids, while others are scattered fields. For a list of which missions' deadspace pockets contain asteroids, see Mission mining or EVE-survival.

Ore locations

An asteroid belt, as seen on the overview. Note the belt's warp-in point (marked with an inverted triangle), as well as the variety of different asteroid types (all labelled according to what kind of ore they contain).
For the distribution of ice asteroids, see Ice distribution.

The EVE universe can be divided into four quarters:

  • The Amarr quarter (includes systems held by the Amarr, Ammatar, Khanid, Blood Raiders, and Sansha's Nation)
  • The Caldari quarter (includes systems held by the Caldari and Guristas)
  • The Gallente quarter (includes systems held by the Gallente and Serpentis)
  • The Minmatar quarter (includes systems held by the Minmatar and Angel Cartel)

Each of these four quarters has its own set of asteroid types. Additionally, systems with different security rating have different asteroid types.

Ores in belts

Highsec and lowsec

System
security
rating
Quarter
Amarr quarter Caldari quarter Gallente quarter Minmatar quarter
High Sec
1.0 to 0.5
Veldspar Veldspar
Scordite Scordite
High Sec
0.9 to 0.5
Pyroxeres Pyroxeres Pyroxeres Pyroxeres
≤ 0.7: also Plagioclase Plagioclase
Plagioclase Plagioclase Plagioclase Plagioclase
Low Sec
0.4 to 0.1
Pyroxeres Pyroxeres
Kernite Kernite
Jaspet Jaspet
Kernite Kernite
Pyroxeres Pyroxeres
Omber Omber
Jaspet Jaspet
Kernite Kernite
Omber Omber
Low Sec
0.2 to 0.1
Hemorphite Hemorphite Hedbergite Hedbergite Hemorphite Hemorphite Hedbergite Hedbergite

Ores in null security space

Null security space is not as clearly defined as high security due to being player owned. Instead it is easiest to classify it by Security Class, which is most easily viewed via sites like Dotlan by using the Security Class filter on a map. We will ignore the security class number, using only the letter, as it seems this is exactly what is important.

Security class letter used for null security regions
Class Region Pirates type
F Detorid, Cache, Insmother, Impass, Feythabolis, Tenerifis, Omist Angel Cartel
G Stain, Esoteria, Querious, Paragon Soul, Delve, Period Basis Blood Raiders and Sansha
H Vale of the Silent, Tribute, Venal, Geminate, Deklein, Tenal, Branch Guristas
I Wicked Creek, Scalding Pass, Great Wildlands, Curse, Catch, Immensea, Providence Angel Cartel
J Pure Blind, Syndicate, Fade, Cloud Ring, Outer Ring, Fountain Serpentis and Guristas (Pure Blind)
K Cobalt Edge, Perrigen Falls, Malpais, Oasa, Kalevala Expanse, Outer Passage, Etherium Reach, The Spire Drones

Security class F-J follow simple rules defined in the following table. Note that for many regions some security levels do not exist leading to missing some ores, for example in Curse all systems are between 0.0 and -0.3 which according to this table leads to no ore belts at all.

System
true sec
Security Class
F G H I J
≤ 0.0: - Kernite Kernite Pyroxeres Pyroxeres - Pyroxeres Pyroxeres
≤ -0.4: - Pyroxeres Pyroxeres - - -
≤ -0.5: Bistot Bistot - Kernite Kernite - Bistot Bistot
≤ -0.6: Arkonor Arkonor Bistot Bistot - - -
≤ -0.7: Pyroxeres Pyroxeres - - Arkonor Arkonor -
≤ -0.8: Mercoxit Mercoxit
≤ -0.9: - - Bistot Bistot Kernite Kernite Arkonor Arkonor

Note that there seem to be some additional exceptions that do not show in-game through the Agency window, but are present in belts. For example, -1.0 system MVUO-F in Period Basis seems to have Arkonor in belts in addition to four other ores predicted by this table.[Verify]

Dronelands regions (class K) all contain Arkonor, Bistot and Mercoxit, but the security level at which each ore starts differs from region to region. Moreover, even inside of a region contents of belts differ a lot between systems which hints that there is some other rule used here. The general rule seems to be that the further from Empire, the less ores are present. For example, in Etherium Reach, close to Empire, Bistot starts from 0.0, Arkonor starts from -0.2 and Mercoxit starts from -0.5 (though not in all -0.5 systems). On the other hand, in Cobalt Edge Bistot starts from -0.6, Arkonor from -0.7 and Mercoxit from -0.8.

Note that mining Mercoxit requires the Deep Core Mining skill as well as special mining modules (Deep Core Miners or Deep Core Strip Miners). All other ore types can be mined with all types of ore mining lasers or strip miners.

Ore anomalies

For more detailed information on ore locations: https://ore.cerlestes.de/ore

The 'hidden' versions of the sites are technically not anomalies but cosmic signatures as they need to be scanned down.

High security space

See also: High-sec
  • Asteroid Belt Remnants anomaly in starter and career agents systems which contain Veldspar.
    • With the Catalyst expansion revamped to <empire> Managed Asteroid Belt (i.e. Republic Managed Asteroid Belt in Minmatar space)
  • Omber Deposit[1] (smallAverageLarge). Spawns rarely in all high security space between 0.5 and 0.8 security rating.
  • Kernite and Omber Deposit[1] (smallAverageLarge). Spawns rarely in all high security space between 0.5 and 0.8 security rating.
  • Small Mordunium Deposit, in 0.5 security systems bordering lowsec[2]

Low security space

See also: Low-sec

Null security space

See also: Null-sec

Note that mining Mercoxit requires the Deep Core Mining skill as well as special mining modules (Deep Core Miners or Deep Core Strip Miners). All other ore types can be mined with all types of ore mining lasers or strip miners.

Ore Prospecting Arrays

In player-owned sovereign nullsec, it is possible to deploy Ore Prospecting Arrays, a deployable sovereignty structure which, when deployed in a system, periodically generates asteroid clusters of various sizes at set intervals.

All sizes of asteroid clusters are capable of spawning regardless of system security status, and all clusters of a given size contain the same volume of ore, but asteroid clusters in lower security levels will spawn the more valuable ore variants with greater frequency. All clusters contain varying amounts of all Arkonor and Bistot, additionally different clusters provide access to Mercoxit, Pyroxeres, Omber, Kernite, Crokite.

These sites sometimes spawn as Large Potent Asteroid Cluster, Enormous Potent Asteroid Cluster, and Colossal Potent Asteroid Cluster. Rich variants have been spotted as well. These are usually variations of the sec status of the space.

Respawn cooldown to all Asteroid Cluster anomalies scales based on the size of the anomaly, listed above.

Some of these new sites are majorly changed with the Equinox release [3], with players able to pick which anomalies they want to spawn. A new smaller Prospecting Array was added, and the existing Prospecting Arrays were moved to 'Isogen Prospecting Arrays 2'[4].

  • Isogen Prospecting Arrays
    • 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 325k volume, avg rock size: unknown
    • 2 - Griemeer Deposit - 4:20 hours respawn time, 3m volume, avg rock size: 36k, 37k, 39k, 43k
    • 3 - Large Griemeer Deposit - TBD
  • Mexallon Prospecting Array
    • 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 500k volume, avg rock size: unknown
    • 2 - Kylixium Deposit - 4:20 hour respawn time, 3.0m volume, avg rock size: 26k, 33k, 37k, 39k
    • 3 - Large Kylixium Deposit - TBD
  • Megacyte Prospecting Array
  • Mercoxit (Does not have an official Prospecting Array, just shows up alongside other arrays)
  • Nocxium Prospecting Array
    • 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 325k volume, avg rock size: unknown
    • 2 - Nocxite Deposit - 4:20 hour respawn time, 3.0m volume, avg rock size: 19k, 22k, 27k, 63k
  • Pyerite Prospecting Array
    • 1 - Small Mordunium Deposit(TBD) - 1:00 hour respawn time, 1,000k volume, avg rock size: unknown
      • Will also rarely appear in highsec 0.5 systems which border lowsec[2].
    • 2 - Mordunium Deposit - 4:20 hour respawn time, 6.0m volume, avg rock size: 38k, 40k, 46k, 63k
    • 3 - Large Mordunium Deposit - TBD
  • Tritanium Prospecting Array
    • 1 - TBD - 1:00 hour respawn time, 500k volume, avg rock size: unknown
    • 2 - Veldspar Deposit - 4:20 hour respawn time, 3.7m volume, avg rock size: 31k, 35k, 41k
    • 3 - Large Veldspar Deposit - TBD
  • Zydrine Prospecting Array

Note that the respawn timer for medium deposits begin when a site is fully cleared, but small deposits begin their respawn timer as soon as the first ship warps onto the site.

Mining Escalation

The Equinox release introduced a mining Escalation called the "Interstitial Ore Deposit". (Escalations are chance-based secondary sites that can be created when you finish certain sites.) This voluminous asteroid field is more valuable compared to standard null sec fields both in total value and ISK-per-minute terms, however it seems to be quite rare. They de-spawn 6 hours after creation, per the person who reported it [5].

  • Interstitial Ore Deposit - no respawn timer, expires in 6 hours, 8.5m volume, avg rock sizes: 69k, 89k, 160k. (was 4.5m volume, avg rock sizes: 8k, 11k, 15k, 18k, 20k, 22k)

Wormholes

Main article: Wormhole sites#Ore sites

Arkonor, Bistot, Gneiss, Kernite, Omber, and Pyroxeres deposits may be found in wormholes.

Pochven

With the creation of Pochven, new ore types were added to the game which can only be found in these areas. Bezdnacine, Rakovene, and Talassonite are the new ores, while Spodumain and Mercoxit can also be found there, with Mercoxit only spawning in home systems.

Pochven Talassonite Talassonite Rakovene Rakovene Bezdnacine Bezdnacine

Border ores

Null Sec & Wormhole with A0 star
0.5 High-Low border systems
Ducinium Ducinium Eifyrium Eifyrium Mordunium Mordunium Ytirium Ytirium

Ore variants

Most asteroid types have two extra subtypes (<ore> II-Grade, +5% and <ore> III-Grade, +10%) that yield more minerals when reprocessing; some of the ores also have a +15% (<ore> IV-Grade) subtype. Otherwise they are identical in every way to their base ore, and are found in the same regions, but in lower quantities. For instance, if an asteroid belt has Omber asteroids, it will also have some Omber II-Grade asteroids and a few Omber III-Grade asteroids. If you get the chance, you should always mine the higher-yield variants before mining the base ore.

Ore size (m3) Minerals Note
Veldspar Veldspar 0.1 Tritanium
Scordite Scordite 0.15 Tritanium, Pyerite
Pyroxeres Pyroxeres 0.3 Pyerite, Mexallon
Plagioclase Plagioclase 0.35 Tritanium, Mexallon
Omber Omber 0.6 Pyerite, Isogen
Kernite Kernite 1.2 Mexallon, Isogen
Jaspet Jaspet 2 Mexallon, Nocxium
Hemorphite Hemorphite 3 Isogen, Nocxium
Hedbergite Hedbergite 3 Pyerite, Nocxium
Gneiss Gneiss 5 Pyerite, Mexallon, Isogen
Dark Ochre Dark Ochre 8 Mexallon, Isogen, Nocxium
Crokite Crokite 16 Pyerite, Mexallon, Nocxium
Spodumain Spodumain 16 Tritanium, Isogen, Nocxium, Zydrine, Megacyte
Arkonor Arkonor 16 Pyerite, Mexallon, Megacyte
Bistot Bistot 16 Pyerite, Mexallon, Zydrine
Mercoxit Mercoxit 40 Morphite No IV-Grade
Ducinium Ducinium 16 Megacyte
Eifyrium Eifyrium 16 Zydrine
Mordunium Mordunium 0.1 Pyerite
Ytirium Ytirium 0.6 Isogen
Bezdnacine Bezdnacine 16 Tritanium, Isogen, Megacyte No IV-Grade
Rakovene Rakovene 16 Tritanium, Isogen, Zydrine No IV-Grade
Talassonite Talassonite 16 Tritanium, Nocxium, Megacyte No IV-Grade
Griemeer Griemeer 0.8 Tritanium, Isogen
Hezorime Hezorime 5 Tritanium, Isogen, Zydrine
Kylixium Kylixium 1.20 Tritanium, Pyerite, Mexallon
Nocxite Nocxite 4 Tritanium, Pyerite, Nocxium
Ueganite Ueganite 5 Tritanium, Megacyte
Prismaticite Prismaticite 40 Random No variants

Mineral composition of ores

Main article: Minerals
See also: Reprocessing

The main goal of asteroid mining is to obtain ore that may be reprocessed into minerals: Tritanium, Pyerite, Mexallon, Isogen, Nocxium, Zydrine, Megacyte and Morphite. The amounts of particular mineral highly differ between different ores, leading to some ores being in high demand and having high market value and some ores being borderline worthless.

References

  1. ^ a b Reintroduced in the Catalyst expansion. Expansion notes
  2. ^ a b c d Added with Pyerite Balance Version 23.01 Release 2025-07-31.1. but in the wrong systems. This was fixed in the defect fixes of release 2025-08-01.1
  3. ^ Sovereignty Updates: Transition & Upgrades
  4. ^ Patch notes: Version 22.01 release 2024-10-30.1
  5. ^ Redit post: Mining Escalations by matzy_2000

External links