Reprocessing
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Refining is a miner’s second best friend, the first being powerful mining lasers. Refining allows a miner to refine their raw ore into usable minerals that can be sold or used for personal production. However, it is unlikely that new players' skill sets will allow for the efficient use of a refinery, and large portions of the refined minerals will be lost as ‘waste’, so new miners may find it more profitable to sell the raw ore they mine rather than refining it.
Equipment
In New Eden there are two types or refining equipment: equipment owned by NPC corporations and equipment owned by player corporations. Two modules exist for player-owned starbases with 52% and 54% refining efficiency. Outposts within sovereign null-security space have a base efficiency of 50%. Amarr, Caldari, and Gallente outposts can be upgraded to 57%, while Minmatar outposts can be upgraded to 60% efficiency.
If an NPC station is capable of refining then its equipment will have an efficiency rating between 30% and 50% (you can search for stations with 50% reprocessing efficiency by criteria, for example npc-corp or solar system, at Station search page). Obviously using a station with 50% equipment is better so pilots should take care when choosing a refining station and check this value before use. (You can use third-party map tools like DOTLAN to quickly check this. A list of the stations in Aptetter is available)
In addition, NPC stations take a tax for using their refining facilities. The tax is based on the player's personal or corporation standings with the station's owner, whichever standing is higher is used. The tax starts at 5% with 0 standings and falls to 0% at 6.67 standings with the station owner. Hence, it's a good idea to refine at stations for which you or your corp have the best relationship. See Equipment tax below for more detail.
Pilot Skills
There are two generic skills that affect a player’s ability to refine: [[Skills:Resource Processing#Refining|Reprocessing] and Reprocessing Efficiency, both of which are available from NPC stations. Refining is the first skill you will need to improve efficiency, and will cost approximately 45,000 ISK. (This cost can be covered by the university's skillbook program.) Each level of Reprocessing will increase the pilot's efficiency by 3% for a maximum of 15% increase. Reprocessing Efficiency adds an additional 2% for level, up to 10% at level 5 skill, and requires Reprocessing level IV to train and costs 250,000 ISK from NPC stations.
To further reduce waste, there are individual ore skills for each ore type, and a generic ice skill for all ice types. Each level of that respective skill offers a final 2% increase to efficiency for the corresponding material, 10% at level V. The max possible refining efficiency with all 5 skills, at a 50% NPC station with perfect standings is 70%. The max possible effiency in game with perfect skills and a +5% implant using a fully upgraded Minmatar outpost is 88%. Thus, you can never achieve "perfect refining" and there will always be some waste.
For an average player with around 30 days training into reprocessing skills, efficiency yields would typically hover around 63-65% depending on standings at a 50% station.
| Refining | Refinery Efficiency |
Ore Skill (zero) |
Ore Skill I |
Ore Skill II |
Ore Skill III |
Ore Skill IV |
Ore Skill V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (zero) | (zero) | 48% | |||||
| I | (zero) | 49% | |||||
| II | (zero) | 50% | |||||
| III | (zero) | 52% | |||||
| IV | (zero) | 53% | 54% | 55% | 56% | 57% | 59% |
| V | (zero) | 55% | 56% | 57% | 58% | 59% | 60% |
| V | I | 56% | 57% | 58% | 59% | 60% | 61% |
| V | II | 57% | 58% | 59% | 60% | 61% | 62% |
| V | III | 58% | 59% | 60% | 61% | 63% | 64% |
| V | IV | 59% | 60% | 61% | 63% | 64% | 65% |
| V | V | 60% | 61% | 62% | 64% | 65% | 66% |
Refining in a station
Before you can refine your raw materials, or reprocess modules and scrap, you must place the ore in your hangar at a station with a refinery, or into the cargohold of a player-owned starbase reprocessing array. Compressed ores require 1 unit to refine, while uncompressed ores require 100 units. You cannot refine uncompressed ores with less than 100 units of a single type, e.g. 75 units of Veldspar cannot be combined with 25 units Dense Veldspar to refine together. Both compressed and uncompressed ores yield the same amount of minerals per batch. All ice require 1 unit to refine, with compressed ice simply takes 10x less volume (100 m3) than uncompressed ice (1,000 m3).
To refine, you can right click the item from your hanger, or drag it to the opened refining window. Once done, you'll have screen that looks similar to this:
In this example, we have approximately 120,000 units of Plagioclase selected from refining. With 39% overall efficiency, refining yield will give approximately 51,850 units of Tritanium, 10,000 units of Pyerite and 51,850 units of Mexallon.
To see more detailed information about exact yields and refining calculations, simply hover over any item in either the input or output window. For example, hovering over the Plagioclase in the input window shows us the following:
- The base yield from station equipment is 32%.
- With Level V Refining skill we have a x1.15 yield increase.
- With Level IV Refining Efficiency skill we have a x1.08 yield increase.
- With level II Plagioclase Refining skill we have a x1.04 yield increase.
- With zero stations (individual or corporation) we have a x0.95 yield reduction.
As a result our total net yield is 39%.
To calculate this manually, or import into a tool or spreadsheet, you can use the following formula.
Station Equipment x (1 + Refining skill x 0.03) x (1 + Refining Efficiency skill x 0.02) x (1 + Ore Processing skill x 0.02) x (1 + Reprocessing Implant)
Refining in a POS
Refining in a player-owned starbase is very similar to refining in a station, with the exception that there is no NPC tax. All other calculations remain the same. A reprocessing array can be anchored in any security space and provides a 52% base yield (2% greater than then best NPC station), while the more advanced Intensive Reprocessing array yields 54% base but cannot be anchored in high-security space. To use either array, you must be withing 3,000m of the structure. From there, either open your ship's cargohold or right-click the structure and select "access reprocessing array." To use the array, you must drag your item(s) from your ship's cargohold or nearby container, and drop them in the reprocessing array's cargo hold. From there, right click the item(s) and select "reprocess." You will not see the refining window like you do in a station, so make sure you want to refine your selection. Once done, the minerals will in the array's cargo hold next to whatever excess materials were left over.
Compression
Compression offers significant savings in valuable cargo-space, and can only be done at a player-owned Station or with a Rorqual industrial ship. The compression array has no security restrictions and can be anchored at any POS. Batch sizes are 100 units for ore, and 1 unit for ice, with both compressing down to 1 unit of their compressed version. Compressed ice takes 10-times less volume (100 m3) than uncompressed ice (1,000 m3). Compressed ore has various volumes depending on the type. See the Ore table below for specific volumes. A single unit of compressed ore or ice can be refined for an equal amount of materials from their uncompressed versions. As such, compression yields more minerals per m3 of space, but not per batch - 100 units of Veldspar yields the same 415 Tritanium as a single unit of compressed Veldspar, which was made from 100 units of uncompressed Veldspar.
Once the ore is placed in the Compression Array, or Rorqual's cargo-hold, simply right click and select compress. If there are more than 100 units of ore, or 1 unit of ice, they raw materials will be quickly compressed and ready for whatever you plan to do with them. Typically, compression is done to maximize cargo space for efficient and safe transport, such as capital production in low/null security space.
Ore
The following table lists the mineral content of each ore type, and the location(s) where they can be found. Compressed ores require 1 unit to refine, while uncompressed ores require 100 units.
Note that actual yields depend on refining equipment, player skills, level of refining implant (if any), and corporation standings if using an NPC station.
| Ore Type | Uncompressed Volume | Compressed Volume | Tritanium | Pyerite | Mexallaon | Isogen | Nocxium | Megacyte | Zydrine | Morphite | Location |
| Veldspar | 0.1 | 0.15 | 415 | 1.0 (All Space) | |||||||
| Concentrated Veldspar (+5%) | 0.1 | 0.15 | 436 | 1.0 (All Space) | |||||||
| Dense Veldspar (+10%) | 0.1 | 0.15 | 457 | 1.0 (All Space) | |||||||
| Scordite | 0.15 | 0.19 | 346 | 173 | 1.0 (All Space) | ||||||
| Condensed Scordite (+5%) | 0.15 | 0.19 | 363 | 182 | 1.0 (All Space) | ||||||
| Massive Scordite (+10%) | 0.15 | 0.19 | 380 | 190 | 1.0 (All Space) | ||||||
| Pyroxeres | 0.3 | 0.16 | 351 | 25 | 50 | 5 | 0.9 (Amarr, Caldari) | ||||
| Solid Pyroxeres (+5%) | 0.3 | 0.16 | 368 | 26 | 53 | 5 | 0.9 (Amarr, Caldari) | ||||
| Viscous Pyroxeres (+10%) | 0.3 | 0.16 | 385 | 27 | 55 | 5 | 0.9 (Amarr, Caldari) | ||||
| Plagioclase | 0.35 | 0.15 | 107 | 213 | 107 | 0.9 (Gallente, Minmatar), 0.7 (Caldari) | |||||
| Azure Plagioclase (+5%) | 0.35 | 0.15 | 112 | 224 | 112 | 0.9 (Gallente, Minmatar), 0.7 (Caldari) | |||||
| Rich Plagioclase (+10%) | 0.35 | 0.15 | 117 | 234 | 117 | 0.9 (Gallente, Minmatar), 0.7 (Caldari) | |||||
| Omber | 0.6 | 0.07 | 85 | 34 | 85 | 0.7 (Gallente, Minmatar) | |||||
| Silvery Omber (+5%) | 0.6 | 0.07 | 89 | 36 | 89 | 0.7 (Gallente, Minmatar) | |||||
| Golden Omber (+10%) | 0.6 | 0.07 | 94 | 38 | 94 | 0.7 (Gallente, Minmatar) | |||||
| Kernite | 1.2 | 0.19 | 134 | 267 | 134 | 0.7 (Amarr), 0.4 (Caldari, Minmatar) | |||||
| Luminous Kernite (+5%) | 1.2 | 0.19 | 140 | 281 | 140 | 0.7 (Amarr), 0.4 (Caldari, Minmatar) | |||||
| Fiery kernite (+10%) | 1.2 | 0.19 | 147 | 294 | 147 | 0.7 (Amarr), 0.4 (Caldari, Minmatar) | |||||
| Jaspet | 2 | 0.15 | 72 | 121 | 144 | 72 | 3 | 0.4 (Amarr, Gallente) | |||
| Pure Jaspet (+5%) | 2 | 0.15 | 76 | 127 | 151 | 76 | 3 | 0.4 (Amarr, Gallente) | |||
| Pristine Jaspet (+10%) | 2 | 0.15 | 79 | 133 | 158 | 79 | 3 | 0.4 (Amarr, Gallente) | |||
| Hemorphite | 3 | 0.16 | 180 | 72 | 17 | 59 | 118 | 8 | 0.2 (Amarr, Gallente) | ||
| Vivid Hemorphite (+5%) | 3 | 0.16 | 189 | 76 | 18 | 62 | 123 | 9 | 0.2 (Amarr, Gallente) | ||
| Radiant Hemorphite (+10%) | 3 | 0.16 | 198 | 79 | 19 | 65 | 129 | 9 | 0.2 (Amarr, Gallente) | ||
| Hedbergite | 3 | 0.14 | 81 | 196 | 98 | 9 | 0.2 (Amarr, Gallente) | ||||
| Vitric Hedbergite (+5%) | 3 | 0.14 | 85 | 206 | 103 | 10 | 0.2 (Amarr, Gallente) | ||||
| Glazed Hedbergite (+10%) | 3 | 0.14 | 89 | 216 | 108 | 10 | 0.2 (Amarr, Gallente) | ||||
| Gneiss | 5 | 1.03 | 1278 | 1278 | 242 | 60 | -0.4 (Amarr, Minmatar) | ||||
| Iridescent Gneiss (+5%) | 5 | 1.03 | 1342 | 1342 | 254 | 63 | -0.4 (Amarr, Minmatar) | ||||
| Prismatic Gneiss (+10%) | 5 | 1.03 | 1406 | 1406 | 266 | 65 | -0.4 (Amarr, Minmatar) | ||||
| Dark Ochre | 8 | 3.27 | 8804 | 173 | 87 | -0.2 (Caldari, Gallente) | |||||
| Onyx Ochre (+5%) | 8 | 3.27 | 9245 | 182 | 91 | -0.2 (Caldari, Gallente) | |||||
| Obsidian Ochre (+10%) | 8 | 3.27 | 9685 | 190 | 95 | -0.2 (Caldari, Gallente) | |||||
| Spodumain | 16 | 16 | 39221 | 4972 | 78 | -0.5 (Amarr, Caldari) | |||||
| Brige Spodumain (+5%) | 16 | 16 | 41182 | 5221 | 82 | -0.5 (Amarr, Caldari) | |||||
| Gleaming Spodumain (+10%) | 16 | 16 | 43143 | 5496 | 86 | -0.5 (Amarr, Caldari) | |||||
| Crokite | 16 | 7.81 | 20992 | 275 | 367 | -0.5 (Amarr, Caldari, Gallente) | |||||
| Sharp Crokite (+5%) | 16 | 7.81 | 22041 | 290 | 385 | -0.5 (Amarr, Caldari, Gallente) | |||||
| Crystalline Crokite (+10%) | 16 | 7.81 | 23091 | 309 | 403 | -0.5 (Amarr, Caldari, Gallente) | |||||
| Bistot | 16 | 6.11 | 16572 | 118 | 236 | -0.6 (All Space) | |||||
| Triclinic Bistot (+5%) | 16 | 6.11 | 17402 | 124 | 248 | -0.6 (All Space) | |||||
| Monoclinic Bistot (+10%) | 16 | 6.11 | 18230 | 130 | 259 | -0.6 (All Space) | |||||
| Arkonor | 16 | 3.08 | 6905 | 1278 | 230 | 115 | -0.6 (All Space) | ||||
| Crimson Arkonor (+5%) | 16 | 3.08 | 7251 | 1342 | 242 | 121 | -0.7 (All Space) | ||||
| Prime Arkonor (+10%) | 16 | 3.08 | 7596 | 1406 | 253 | 127 | -0.7 (All Space) | ||||
| Mercoxit | 40 | 0.1 | 293 | -0.8 (All Space) | |||||||
| Magma Mercoxit (+5%) | 40 | 0.1 | 308 | -0.8 (All Space) | |||||||
| Vitreous Mercoxit (+10%) | 40 | 0.1 | 323 | -0.8 (All Space) | |||||||
| Ore Type | Uncompressed Volume | Compressed Volume | Tritanium | Pyerite | Mexallaon | Isogen | Nocxium | Megacyte | Zydrine | Morphite | Location |
Implants
Furthermore, for pilots looking to get their refining yield even higher, they may wish to look into the Zainou 'Beancounter' Refining RX series implants. These Implants are slot 8 Skill Hardwirings found in the market under Resource Processing Implants. They come in 3 varieties RX-801 (1%), RX-802 (2%) and RX-804 (4%) to provide an expensive but possibly worthwhile investment that will bring a pilot closer to an effective 100% refining efficiency in their station or POS of choice.
Equipment tax
Unfortunately, even with 100% efficiency, you may not receive all the minerals to which you are entitled. The tax man needs his share. The Corporation running the refinery will take up to 5% of the minerals. For example if you processed 333 Veldspar and you had 10% waste, you would not receive 900 Tritanium, but 900 - (900 x .05) or just 855 Tritanium.
In order to reduce the tax level your personal standing with the NPC corporation that owns the station needs to improve. Your personal standing with the faction (faction to you) that the NPC corporation belongs to is not taken into consideration. You need a standing of 6.67 or more with the NPC corporation to reach the zero tax level.
It's a good idea to learn skill Connections, to increase your effective standing towards corporation. Even if your real standing with the corporation is close to zero, Connections V will cut your corporation tax by 25%. Note that until you complete at least one mission for the NPC corporation, your Connections skill will not be taken into account when calculating your tax rate.
Within the university there are many players who have already attained this 'zero tax refine' standing as well as 'perfect refine' skills and offer it as a service to newer players: see the Perfect Refine List for more details.
New Industrial-focused characters interested in earning perfect refining standings for themselves may be interested in the following guide to earning standings through mining missions near Aldrat.
