Archive:Mining fleets: Difference between revisions

This is an article about participating and running Mining ops.  This article is a quick merge of [[Running_a_Mining_Op|Running a Mining Op]] and [[Participating_in_a_Mining_Op|Participating in a Mining Op]] and will require some editing to make it more efficient and to remove duplication.

This guide describes what to expect in the typical mining operation run by Eve University mining fleet commanders, and how to fit in smoothly.

Remember, even if you don't have a ship for mining or hauling, University students can get one for free from the [[Mining Loaner Fleet]] program!

There are several kinds of mining operations. However, most Uni ops - scheduled or pick up - are one of these types:

(More details can be found on the [[Mining|mining page]].)

*Look in Fleet Finder: Check the "Fleets" button in the [[NeoCom|NeoCom]], then look at the "Fleet Finder" tab. From there, change the scope to "My available" and search for fleets. Note that not all fleets listed in Fleet Finder will be mining fleets and some mining fleets are run by non-IVY pilots.

*You can also start your own fleet! See [[Running a Mining Op]].

There are many ways to participate in a mining operation. Most newer players will, of course, be mining in a mining frigate or cruiser. Newer players can also be effective haulers once they have a reasonably fitted industrial ([[Creating an Alt Hauler]] shows how much common, unrigged industrial ships carry).

Participating as a miner is very simple. Essentially, after joining the fleet, you'll warp to one of the fleet members, target your asteroids, and activate your miners. The ore will be placed in a specified jetcan or a specified Orca Corporation Hangar. If there isn't a jetcan near you feel free to make a new one by right clicking the ore in your cargo hold and clicking Jettison. Once the new can is made, right click the can in space and select Set Name; then give the can a name.

A common naming convention for fleet mining is 'Fleet TT:TT' (TT:TT is the EVE time at which the can was created). Once the can is full, rename can to 'Full TT:TT' (TT:TT is the original EVE time can was created). If you are leaving the area for any reason (e.g., the belt is depleted, there are no more asteroids in range, or you are simply calling it a day) before the can is full, rename the can to 'pull TT:TT' (where TT:TT is again the original EVE time the can was created). This ensures that you don't just warp away leaving a 'fleet' can to perhaps be overlooked. One practice that is often seen is to x up the can in Fleet chat when you change the status of your can from 'fleet' to 'full' or 'pull,' e.g., "x PULL 2015". Using this convention helps the haulers prioritize which can needs to be emptied next since jettisoned cans last only approximately 2 hours.

Participating as a hauler is also very straight-forward. You will take the ore from the designated jetcan or Orca Hangar and, when your hauler is full, drop it off at a designated station.

At the end of the operation, or when you're leaving the op, you should either give the ore to the commander at the designated station, or contract it to him at that station. (Please "stack all" the ore before contracting it!)

After an op is complete, the ore still needs to be refined, the minerals transported and sold, and the shares distributed. If you are willing and able to assist with any of these things, let the fleet commander know and he may just take you up on them. These details are beyond the scope of this guide.

#Join the fleet you've located using the techniques above.

#Get to the appropriate system, then warp to the fleet, typically by warping to one of the other miners using the fleet window.

#If you have to take a break or go AFK for more than a short time (defined as however long it takes your lasers to typically fill your cargo hold, or whatever time your hauling interval usually is), inform the fleet and clock out when you leave and back in when you return.

#Mine in to the jetcan or Orca, haul, or do whatever the fleet commander has assigned to you for your responsibilities.

*Try to mine the farthest asteroids you can reach with your lasers first. (Check your range as they may be boosted from an Orca.)

*Drones, obviously, should target the closest asteroids for best yield.

*Generally, you will be expected to avoid being AFK - fit MLUs instead of expanded cargoholds.

An Orca is a special ship that has a few features that makes it ideally suited to support mining operations. While it can hold PvP ships and provide fitting services, its main use is the ability to transfer ore from your ship into it without needing to use a jetcan.

When you are in a fleet with an Orca, check your laser cycle times and ranges by mousing over them. Often, the Orca pilot will be "boosting" these so your lasers cycle faster and reach farther.

#Turn off your lasers and recall your mining drones

#If you have been hauling, trade the ore at the designated station to the fleet commander, or contract it.

#Remember to thank the fleet commander, who will typically have some logistics to do after the fleet is over in order to turn your time into ISK for your wallet!

#Say bye to your fleetmates.

The goal of a mining op is to make ISK for every participant. Shares may be time based or weighted. For time-based, each participant in the operation is given a "share" based upon his time in the fleet. This simple mechanism is intentionally biased to favor newer players (with smaller mining ships like mining frigates and cruisers) at the expense of older players (with the Orcas and Hulks), as this may help get all of its members into larger mining ships (such as the Retriever Mining Barge) that they can then afford to buy.

Weighted ops are also an option. There are various spreadsheets that can be used, [https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtRzbOOErPTDdFVMMW5rN1dZa0ljZ3JCdW9FalJBX0E&hl=en&authkey=CI6Xt0U such as this one].&nbsp; These can be used to weigh profits by actual contribution, such as laser and hauling capacity.&nbsp; This type of op might be better at encouraging veteran pilots, which will likely increase the total minerals gained, while still providing a fair distribuition.&nbsp; The spreadsheet automates this heavily, so all the fleet commander need do is arrive a set of weights that satisfy everyone in the fleet.<br>

A simple example:

#*You can ask someone to do it for you, or

#*You can use the Uni's [[Perfect Refine List#University_Service|perfect refine service]]

#*You can use sell orders, but for faster ISK you can sell into the market; prices are usually better in Rens. You can check the Rens prices in Eystur, which is also one jump from Hek.

#Using the times logged, calculate shares for each member and use your wallet to transfer the ISK to them after the sales go through.

=== Help from Uni Management ===

[[User:Azmodeus valar|Azmodeus Valar]], the Director of Logistics, has offered to pick up ore from nearby Aldrat and both refine and sell it for any Uni mining op. ([http://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=28307&start=15#p273616 Reference here])

=== Determining Shares ===

The mining op fleet commander has the final say on how to distribute shares and make operation rules. (You're always free to find another fleet or start your own if you don't like it.) The fleet commander, however, does have the obligation to ensure that everyone joining the mining operation is aware of the rules and distribution of shares when they first join (or consider joining). Once the rules and shares are laid out, they should not be changed after the fact.

==== Rules ====

* The fleet commander should keep a record of the total ore mined of each type, the total refined minerals, and the total ISK which was received.

* The fleet commander should keep a record of the times each participant spent in the operation.

* These records (if kept electronically) should be made available to any fleet member who asks (or any Uni Director, Officer or Manager) for a week.

* An "After Operation Report" can be made on the [http://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19986], if desired.

==== Shares ====

For an example of how an operation using these rules/shares would work, [[Participating in a Mining Op#Example Shares|see this example]].