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Mining: Difference between revisions

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Corrected {{m3}} usage. Corrected en- and em-dash usage. § Mining hold mining: Revelations ➙ Retribution
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{{Update|Major rewrite needed due to December 2021, Version 19.11 major changes to mining mechanics.<br>Need ore info about the border/A0 ores [[#Cosmic Anomalies]].}}
{{Update|Major rewrite needed due to December 2021, Version 19.11 major changes to mining mechanics.<br>Need ore info about the border/A0 ores [[#Cosmic Anomalies]].}}
{{Banner|
The Catalyst expansion<ref>https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/catalyst-expansion-launches-18-november</ref><ref>https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/catalyst-in-focus-new-ships-and-more</ref><ref>https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/mining-in-focus-new-ore-and-more</ref> (18 November 2025) will bring new ore (Prismaticite), new mining ships ([[Pioneer]] 3 versions, faction versions of the [[Venture]]), faster mining cycles, critical hits and an improved UI.
}}
{{cleanup|Survey scanners don't seem to be in the game anymore. Add details on new Mining Chipset modules?}}


{{Industry Links}}
{{Industry Links}}
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All sites spawn a beacon upon the first ship initiating warp to it which anyone can warp to.
All sites spawn a beacon upon the first ship initiating warp to it which anyone can warp to.


* [[Empire Border Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in high-sec {{ColorSecurityRating|0.5}} <ref>Patch notes: [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-20-11 Version 20-11] release 2022-12-13.1 > Features & Changes > Science & Industry.</ref> systems bordering a low-sec system. Contains asteroids with {{Co|wheat|Ducinium}}, {{Co|wheat|Eifyrium}}, Jet Ochre, Pellucid Crokite and {{Co|wheat|Ytirium}}.
* [[Empire Border Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in high-sec {{ColorSecurityRating|0.5}} <ref>Patch notes: [https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-version-20-11 Version 20-11] release 2022-12-13.1 > Features & Changes > Science & Industry.</ref> systems bordering a low-sec system. Contains asteroids with {{Co|wheat|Ducinium}}, {{Co|wheat|Eifyrium}}, Dark Ochre IV-Grade, Crokite IV-Grade, and {{Co|wheat|Ytirium}}.


* [[Nullsec Border Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in null-sec systems bordering a low-sec system. Contains asteroids with {{Co|wheat|Imperial Ducinium}}, {{Co|wheat|Augmented Eifyrium}}, {{Co|wheat|Mordunium}}, Pellucid Crokite and {{Co|wheat|Moonshine Ytirium}}.
* [[Nullsec Border Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in null-sec systems bordering a low-sec system. Contains asteroids with {{Co|wheat|Ducinium IV-Grade}}, {{Co|wheat|Eifyrium IV-Grade}}, {{Co|wheat|Mordunium}}, Crokite IV-Grade, and {{Co|wheat|Ytirium IV-Grade}}.


* [[Nullsec Blue A0 Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in Blue A0 star systems in null-sec space {{Verify}}. Contains asteroids with {{Co|wheat|Imperial Ducinium}}, {{Co|wheat|Augmented Eifyrium}}, Jet Ochre, {{Co|wheat|Plunder Mordunium}} and {{Co|wheat|Moonshine Ytirium}}.
* [[Nullsec Blue A0 Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in Blue A0 star systems in null-sec space {{Verify}}. Contains asteroids with {{Co|wheat|Ducinium IV-Grade}}, {{Co|wheat|Eifyrium IV-Grade}}, Dark Ochre IV-Grade, {{Co|wheat|Mordunium IV-Grade}} and {{Co|wheat|Ytirium IV-Grade}}.


* [[W-Space Blue A0 Rare Asteroids|Wormhole Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in (Blue A0 star systems) in wormhole space.
* [[W-Space Blue A0 Rare Asteroids|Wormhole Rare Asteroids]] Spawns in (Blue A0 star systems) in wormhole space.
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=== Mechanics ===
=== Mechanics ===
The basic mechanics of mining are very simple: Fit your ship with a [[ORE Basic Ship and Skill Overview#Fitting strategies and mining modules|mining module]], approach and [[targeting|target]] an asteroid, and activate your mining module. At the ''end'' of each cycle (usually between 1 and 3 minutes, depending on the module used), the ore mined is automatically deposited in your ship's cargo or mining hold. The mining module will then automatically continue mining until either your cargo/mining hold is full, or the asteroid has been "mined out" (all the available ore in that asteroid has been mined and it disappears). Make sure that you keep the asteroid within range of your mining module (usually by stopping your ship, or orbiting the asteroid)—if you are too far away, the mining module will finish its current cycle regardless, but you will receive no ore.
The basic mechanics of mining are very simple: Fit your ship with a [[ORE Basic Ship and Skill Overview#Fitting strategies and mining modules|mining module]], approach and [[targeting|target]] an asteroid, and activate your mining module. At the ''end'' of each cycle (usually between 15 and 45 seconds, depending on the module used), the ore mined is automatically deposited in your ship's cargo or mining hold. The mining module will then automatically continue mining until either your cargo/mining hold is full, or the asteroid has been "mined out" (all the available ore in that asteroid has been mined and it disappears). Make sure that you keep the asteroid within range of your mining module (usually by stopping your ship, or orbiting the asteroid)—if you are too far away, the mining module will finish its current cycle regardless, but you will receive no ore.


If you're using [[Drones#Mining Drones|mining drones]], launch your drones once you are near the asteroid, and give them the command to "mine repeatedly". They will then fly to the asteroid you have targeted, mine for one cycle (60 seconds), fly back to your ship, deposit the ore they have mined in your cargo or mining hold, then automatically fly back to the asteroid and continue mining it (until, as above, either your cargo/mining hold is full, or the asteroid has depleted because it no longer contains any ore). Since the drones have to fly back and forth repeatedly between your ship and the asteroid, it's worth flying as close as possible to the asteroid to keep their travel time down to a minimum.
If you're using [[Drones#Mining Drones|mining drones]], launch your drones once you are near the asteroid, and give them the command to "mine repeatedly". They will then fly to the asteroid you have targeted, mine for one cycle (60 seconds), fly back to your ship, deposit the ore they have mined in your cargo or mining hold, then automatically fly back to the asteroid and continue mining it (until, as above, either your cargo/mining hold is full, or the asteroid has depleted because it no longer contains any ore). Since the drones have to fly back and forth repeatedly between your ship and the asteroid, it's worth flying as close as possible to the asteroid to keep their travel time down to a minimum.


Once your cargo or mining hold is full, bring the ore you have mined to a station (either fly there yourself or transfer the ore to another player's ship to fly back (see [[Mining#Solo mining|solo mining]] and [[Mining#Cooperative mining|cooperative mining]] for more details)), then return to the asteroids and continue mining!
Once your cargo or mining hold is full, bring the ore you have mined to a station (either fly there yourself or transfer the ore to another player's ship to fly back (see [[Mining#Solo mining|solo mining]] and [[Mining#Cooperative mining|cooperative mining]] for more details), then return to the asteroids and continue mining!


=== Efficiency computations ===
=== Efficiency computations ===
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! Use
! Use
|-
|-
| '''Frigate'''
| rowspan=2 | '''Frigate'''
| [[Venture]]
| [[Venture]]
| Low yield, tank and mining hold compared to specialized ships. Greater agility and speed. Is cheap and takes minimal training.
| Low yield, tank and mining hold compared to specialized ships. Greater agility and speed. Is cheap and takes minimal training.
|-
| [[Venture Consortium Issue]]
| Strictly better than the Venture, but much more expensive.
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''Expedition Frigate'''
| rowspan=2 | '''Expedition Frigate'''
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| [[Endurance]]
| [[Endurance]]
| Specialized version of the Venture, bonuses towards ice mining.   
| Specialized version of the Venture, bonuses towards ice mining.   
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''Destroyer'''
| [[Pioneer]]
| Improved mining yield, mining hold, and mining range over the Venture. Is also cheap and requires minimal training.
|-
| [[Pioneer Consortium Issue]]
| Strictly better than the Pioneer, but much more expensive.
|-
| '''Command Destroyer'''
| [[Outrider]]
| Agile [[Command Burst]]-bonused ship. Can defensively jump fleet members using a Micro Jump Field Generator. Cannot compress.
|-
|-
| rowspan="3" | '''Mining Barge'''  
| rowspan="3" | '''Mining Barge'''  
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* {{sk|Astrogeology|mult=yes}}: +5% ore mining yield per level; requires {{sk|Mining|IV}}.
* {{sk|Astrogeology|mult=yes}}: +5% ore mining yield per level; requires {{sk|Mining|IV}}.


These skills are the bread and butter of any miner and should be trained up to level IV reasonably quickly (primarily for the increased mining yield, but {{sk|Mining|IV}} in particular is a prerequisite to many other mining-related skills). However, note that these skills only increase the yield for ore mining!
These skills are the bread and butter of any miner and should be trained up to level IV reasonably quickly (primarily for the increased mining yield, but {{sk|Mining|IV}} in particular is a prerequisite to many other mining-related skills). However, note that these skills only increase the yield for ''ore'' mining!




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These skills are only relevant if you want to expand from basic ore mining to Mercoxit, ice, or gas cloud harvesting.
These skills are only relevant if you want to expand from basic ore mining to Mercoxit, ice, or gas cloud harvesting.
'''Mining critical success skills'''
* {{sk|Mining Precision|mult=yes}}: 10% bonus to mining & ice harvesting critical success chance.
* {{sk|Mining Exploitation|mult=yes}}: 5% bonus to mining & ice harvesting critical success bonus yield.
These skills provide smaller bonuses to mining or ice harvester yield compared to the skills above.


'''Asteroid Ore reprocessing skills'''
'''Asteroid Ore reprocessing skills'''
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* {{sk|Mercoxit Ore Processing|mult=yes}}: +2% per skill level to mercoxit reprocessing yield.
* {{sk|Mercoxit Ore Processing|mult=yes}}: +2% per skill level to mercoxit reprocessing yield.
* {{sk|Abyssal Ore Processing|mult=yes}}: +2% per skill level to bezdnacine, rakovene and talassonite reprocessing yield.
* {{sk|Abyssal Ore Processing|mult=yes}}: +2% per skill level to bezdnacine, rakovene and talassonite reprocessing yield.
* {{sk|Erratic Ore Processing|mult=yes}}: +2% per skill level to prismaticite reprocessing yield.


'''Moon ore reprocessing skills'''
'''Moon ore reprocessing skills'''
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* {{sk|Mining Frigate|mult=yes}}: Needed for the [[Venture]].
* {{sk|Mining Frigate|mult=yes}}: Needed for the [[Venture]].
** {{sk|Expedition Frigates|mult=yes}}: Needed for the T2 hulls [[Prospect]] and [[Endurance]].
** {{sk|Expedition Frigates|mult=yes}}: Needed for the T2 hulls [[Prospect]] and [[Endurance]].
* {{sk|Mining Destroyer|mult=yes}}: Needed for the [[Pioneer]].
** {{sk|Command Destroyers|mult=yes}}: Needed for the T2 hull [[Outrider]].
* {{sk|Mining Barge|mult=yes}}: Needed for the [[Procurer]], [[Retriever]], and [[Covetor]].
* {{sk|Mining Barge|mult=yes}}: Needed for the [[Procurer]], [[Retriever]], and [[Covetor]].
** {{sk|Exhumers|mult=yes}}: Needed for the T2 hulls [[Skiff]], [[Mackinaw]], and [[Hulk]].
** {{sk|Exhumers|mult=yes}}: Needed for the T2 hulls [[Skiff]], [[Mackinaw]], and [[Hulk]].
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In addition to letting you fly the mentioned ships (which only needs level I), training higher ranks of these skills greatly enhance their respective ships. For instance, the Venture gains +5% mining yield per level of the Mining Frigate skill—which is on top of the bonuses provided by {{sk|Mining}} and {{sk|Astrogeology}}! So if you've found a ship you like, train the corresponding spaceship command skill to make it even better.
In addition to letting you fly the mentioned ships (which only needs level I), training higher ranks of these skills greatly enhance their respective ships. For instance, the Venture gains +5% mining yield per level of the Mining Frigate skill—which is on top of the bonuses provided by {{sk|Mining}} and {{sk|Astrogeology}}! So if you've found a ship you like, train the corresponding spaceship command skill to make it even better.


'''Upgrade module skills'''
'''Upgrade module skills'''
* {{sk|Mining Upgrades|mult=yes}}: Required for fitting and using Mining Upgrades. Requires Mining III.
* {{sk|Mining Upgrades|mult=yes}}: Required for fitting and using Mining Upgrades. Requires Mining III.
 
As mining lasers and mining upgrades are CPU-hungry, training {{Sk|CPU Management}} will make it easier to fit your ship.
As mining lasers and mining upgrades are CPU-hungry, training {{Sk|CPU Management}} will make it easier to fit your ship.
 
 
'''Drone skills '''
'''Drone skills '''
* {{sk|Drones|mult=yes}}: Increases number of drones in space by 1 per level, for a maximum of five drones in space at level V.
* {{sk|Drones|mult=yes}}: Increases number of drones in space by 1 per level, for a maximum of five drones in space at level V.
* {{sk|Drone Interfacing|mult=yes}}: Increases drone damage and mining drone yield by 10% per level. Requires Drones V.
* {{sk|Drone Interfacing|mult=yes}}: Increases drone damage and mining drone yield by 10% per level. Requires Drones V.
* {{sk|Mining Drone Operation|mult=yes}}: Increases mining drone yield by 5% per level. Requires Drones I.
* {{sk|Mining Drone Operation|mult=yes}}: Increases mining drone yield by 5% per level. Requires Drones I.
* {{sk|Mining Drone Specialization|mult=yes}}: Further increases mining drone yield by 2% per skill level and unlocks T2 mining drones.
* {{sk|Mining Drone Specialization|mult=yes}}: Further increases mining drone yield by 2% per skill level and unlocks T2 mining drones.
 
Mining ships use drones both for defense and increased mining yield. The Drones skill is the foundation skill and should be eventually trained up to V (once you start flying Exhumers it's highly recommended, and valuable even before). To use drones defensively, train up {{Sk|Light Drone Operation}}, whilst mining drones need Mining Drone Operation. Drone Interfacing is somewhat of a long train, but even getting it to level IV makes a big difference in how effective your drones are. Advanced Drone Avionics is only needed if you plan to use ECM drones, and the drone specialization skills are needed when you start using Tech II drones. For more details on how drones work, see [[drones]].
Mining ships use drones both for defense and increased mining yield. The Drones skill is the foundation skill and should be eventually trained up to V (once you start flying Exhumers it's highly recommended, and valuable even before). To use drones defensively, train up {{Sk|Light Drone Operation}}, whilst mining drones need Mining Drone Operation. Drone Interfacing is somewhat of a long train, but even getting it to level IV makes a big difference in how effective your drones are. Advanced Drone Avionics is only needed if you plan to use ECM drones, and the drone specialization skills are needed when you start using Tech II drones. For more details on how drones work, see [[drones]].
 
 
'''Fleet Support skills '''
'''Fleet Support skills '''
* {{sk|Leadership|mult=yes}}, {{sk|Wing Command|mult=yes}}, and {{sk|Fleet Command|mult=yes}}: Increases Command Burst area of effect.
* {{sk|Leadership|mult=yes}}, {{sk|Wing Command|mult=yes}}, and {{sk|Fleet Command|mult=yes}}: Increases Command Burst area of effect.
* {{sk|Mining Foreman|mult=yes}}: Increases duration of Mining Foreman Command Bursts. Requires {{sk|Leadership|I}}.
* {{sk|Mining Foreman|mult=yes}}: Increases duration of Mining Foreman Command Bursts. Requires {{sk|Leadership|I}}.
* {{sk|Mining Director|mult=yes}}: Increases the strength of Mining Foreman Command Bursts. Requires {{sk|Mining Foreman|V}}.
* {{sk|Mining Director|mult=yes}}: Increases the strength of Mining Foreman Command Bursts. Requires {{sk|Mining Foreman|V}}.
* {{sk|Command Burst Specialist|mult=yes}}: Reduces reload time for Command Burst modules. Requires {{sk|Leadership|V}}.
* {{sk|Command Burst Specialist|mult=yes}}: Reduces reload time for Command Burst modules. Requires {{sk|Leadership|V}}.
 
These skills become highly desirable once pilots start flying Orcas or Rorquals, and want to run mining fleets (and provide mining boosts to your fleet members). For more details on how fleets and Command Bursts work, see [[Command Bursts]].
These skills become highly desirable once pilots start flying Orcas or Rorquals, and want to run mining fleets (and provide mining boosts to your fleet members). For more details on how fleets and Command Bursts work, see [[Command Bursts]].
 
 
'''Other skills'''
'''Other skills'''
* Almost all the mining ships are shield tanked, so [[Tanking#Shield skills|shield tanking skills]] are useful to make them less vulnerable to [[gank]]ing.
* Almost all the mining ships are shield tanked, so [[Tanking#Shield skills|shield tanking skills]] are useful to make them less vulnerable to [[gank]]ing.
* General [[Fitting ships|fitting skills]] will improve the PG and CPU output of your ship allowing better fits.
* General [[Fitting ships|fitting skills]] will improve the PG and CPU output of your ship allowing better fits.
 
If you are still short on CPU, {{sk|Electronics Upgrades}} allow you to fit co-processor modules (which increase your ship's CPU further). Mining upgrade modules increase your mining yield, while drone augmentor rigs increase the yield of mining drones.
If you are still short on CPU, {{sk|Electronics Upgrades}} allow you to fit co-processor modules (which increase your ship's CPU further). Mining upgrade modules increase your mining yield, while drone augmentor rigs increase the yield of mining drones.


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=== Survey scanner ===
=== Survey scanner ===
[[File:Survey_scanner.jpg|thumb|250px|The results of a survey scan. Note the different kinds of asteroid which make up this asteroid belt, and the different amounts of ore in each.]]
[[File:Survey_scanner.jpg|thumb|250px|The results of a survey scan. Note the different kinds of asteroid which make up this asteroid belt, and the different amounts of ore in each.]]
The survey scanner (a mid-slot module) is a very useful tool for any asteroid miner, as it shows how much ore each asteroid in the vicinity contains. This is important, as asteroid mining modules (mining lasers and strip miners) will always complete an entire cycle (60s for mining lasers, 180s for strip miners), irrespective of how much ore is actually left in the asteroid.
The survey scanner (a mid-slot module) is a very useful tool for any asteroid miner, as it shows how much ore each asteroid in the vicinity contains. This is important, as asteroid mining modules (mining lasers and strip miners) will always complete an entire cycle (15s for mining lasers, 45s for strip miners), irrespective of how much ore is actually left in the asteroid.


For instance, say you are mining an asteroid that contains 200 units of Veldspar (Veldspar has a volume of 0.1{{m3}} per unit, so this asteroid contains 20{{m3}} of Veldspar). Your Mining Laser I has a yield of (say) 100{{m3}}/min, and a cycle time of 60 seconds. Even though there are only 20{{m3}} of Veldspar left in the asteroid, the module will complete its entire 60 second cycle before shutting off (with a message saying "the asteroid is depleted")—but those 60 seconds of mining only yielded 20{{m3}} of ore (instead 100{{m3}})! The problem becomes even worse when using strip miners, as they have a much higher yield and a cycle time three times as long—which can result in a lot of wasted time if you're mining asteroids that don't contain much ore.
For instance, say you are mining an asteroid that contains 200 units of Veldspar (Veldspar has a volume of 0.1{{m3}} per unit, so this asteroid contains 10{{m3}} of Veldspar). Your Mining Laser I has a yield of (say) 100{{m3}}/min, and a cycle time of 15 seconds. Even though there are only 10{{m3}} of Veldspar left in the asteroid, the module will complete its entire 15 second cycle before shutting off (with a message saying "the asteroid is depleted")—but those 15 seconds of mining only yielded 10{{m3}} of ore (instead 25{{m3}})! The problem becomes even worse when using strip miners, as they have a much higher yield and a cycle time three times as long—which can result in a lot of wasted time if you're mining asteroids that don't contain much ore.


Therefore, when mining, refresh the survey scanner window from time to time (it does not refresh automatically, you need to reactivate the survey scanner module) to check whether the asteroid(s) you are mining are close to depletion. If an asteroid is almost empty, you can "[[Mining Yield#Short cycling|short cycle]]" your mining laser (i.e. turn it off manually before it completes its full cycle, by clicking on it) to mine out the last dregs of ore before moving on to another asteroid. Note that each time you activate your mining laser it takes energy from your ship's [[capacitor]]; activate it too often and you might empty your capacitor and have to wait a moment for it to recharge.
Therefore, when mining, refresh the survey scanner window from time to time (it does not refresh automatically, you need to reactivate the survey scanner module) to check whether the asteroid(s) you are mining are close to depletion. If an asteroid is almost empty, you can "[[Mining Yield#Short cycling|short cycle]]" your mining laser (i.e. turn it off manually before it completes its full cycle, by clicking on it) to mine out the last dregs of ore before moving on to another asteroid. Note that each time you activate your mining laser it takes energy from your ship's [[capacitor]]; activate it too often and you might empty your capacitor and have to wait a moment for it to recharge.