Newcomer / Intro I know there are some threads about mining out there, but...

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

o7, fellow CMDRs,

as stated above, I am aware that there are posts about mining in this forum, but my search for it got a bit overwhelming for me.
I am new to Elite and just a few hours in. I play Horizons on an asthmatic laptop with an XBox 360 game pad. As of now, I play solo, as my combat prowess isn't a match for almost any human pilot.
Thus I decided to create my own thread to collect the information that I need.
Here are my initial questions:

1) What ship would be a good choice to do some mining and still be able to dissuade some NPC-pirates from stealing my stuff? I'm thinking about a medium-sized ship, as the small ones usually are either-or.​

2) What kind of equipment do I need? Please feel free to mention everything, even the things that may seem obvious (except for having a ship).​

3) How does the equipment work? From what I've read so far, some seem to be purpose-bound. Please elaborate on that.​

3) Right now, my main concern would be sulfur. In which places do I find it?​

4) Is it right that one can use their SRV for planetside mining? If yes, how do you do that?​

For now, that is all. I intend to use this thread for further inquiries into that matter, should questions arise.

Thanks for taking your time to read this and in advance for your answers.

o7

CMDR TIMBERMCWOLF

​

 

[Northpin]

1) and 2) Hard to tell without engineering.
Best advice would to to avoid fights with pirates at all costs...

You can achieve that by dropping in your favorite mining location, waiting for the pirates to do their thing (pop in, scan you, complain about how useless you are then leave the instance). At this point you can go mining, fill up then go and sell or whatever you plan to do with the load

For mining itself, first of all, why do you do it?
If it is for money, then go for platinum, it sells rather well and it can be mined (laser mining) rather easy, but make sure you go in a Pristine Metallic Ring

This chart might help - but make sure you read and understand the Colum Legend.

Regarding ship config, for Laser mining: you need a pair of medium mining laser, refinery, an A rated prospector limpet, Collectors (at least 4, better 6 or more), refinery and cargo space (and a Detailed Surface Scanner to spot the Hotspots)
For Deep Core, you need a Pulse Wave Analyzer (PWA), DSS, Seismic Charge Launcher, Abrasion Blaster, refinery, prospector limpet, controllers (at least 4) and cargo space.
However, Deep Core mining is much harder than the plain laser mining and i would advise against starting with it, but there are plenty of guides and YT movies about it.

If you are not already familiar with Coriolis.io, get used to it - it's very nice to workout ship builds (and share them). EDSY.org is can be better but also harder to use (it's a bit more nerdy than coriolis.io)

An attempt to an Universal MIner (laser, subsurface, deep core) would be this Asp Explorer, but keep in mind, it cannot deal with any pirates, so avoid combat at all costs (win any interdiction attempt and if you have any cargo and pirates appear, just put 4 PIPs in Eng, 2 in SYS and head out of the ring boosting till you can get to supercruise.

3) you bind the mining tools to triggers and you use them (most if not all of the mining tools work with the hud in analysis mode)
search some YT movies cause it's easier to watch and learn than me to write it all down, then if you still have questions ask them here.

3 ( second one ) Sulfur is a common material, you should be able to find it on any planet surface.
So Hop into the SRV and use the Wave Scanner to guide you to things of interest on the planetary surface - again it's harder to explain how to use it, you can either try it for yourself or find an YT movie/guide

4) See above. Not exactly mining with the SRV, but just roaming the surface searching for anomalies (using the Wave Scanner for this) and when you find them you just shoot them with the SRV, open the cargo scoop, select them and then run them over to collect.

 

[Codger]

There's a large and very accurate writeup of the current state of mining here -->

Spoiler: Mining Info Here

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/os2ldn

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/os2ldn/psa_the_current_state_of_mining_and_other_useful/

It has ship builds, where to mine, what the different types of mining are, etc. It answers all the questions you haven't even asked yet.

It's long. It's detailed. It will take you some time to read and understand.

But just do it. Digest all of that, then ask any additional questions

 

[aRJay]

To expand on @Northpin comment about waiting for the pirates to scan you and go away.

When you arrive in the ring to start mining your cargo hold should be empty of anything other than limpets otherwise the pirates will attack.
If after you have been mining for a while something happens like a loss of connection so that when you restart the game you are in the ring with cargo on board leave as fast as possible go to the location where you plan to sell and get rid of your cargo otherwise the pirates will be back and will attack you.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

There's a large and very accurate writeup of the current state of mining here -->

Spoiler: Mining Info Here

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/os2ldn

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/os2ldn/psa_the_current_state_of_mining_and_other_useful/

It has ship builds, where to mine, what the different types of mining are, etc. It answers all the questions you haven't even asked yet.

It's long. It's detailed. It will take you some time to read and understand.

But just do it. Digest all of that, then ask any additional questions

This is very interesting and I definitely would go and read it, but at this moment, there is not enough room for all of this in my head. I would forget 3/4 of that information. I have to take the slow route.
That's why I started this thread. To gather some basic information about how to mine, what equipment to use. At this moment, I am mostly mining for myself to get some direly needed upgrades done. Stuff like sulfur, which seems to be a quite common material for the first engineering stages.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

1) and 2) Hard to tell without engineering.
Best advice would to to avoid fights with pirates at all costs...

You can achieve that by dropping in your favorite mining location, waiting for the pirates to do their thing (pop in, scan you, complain about how useless you are then leave the instance). At this point you can go mining, fill up then go and sell or whatever you plan to do with the load

For mining itself, first of all, why do you do it?
If it is for money, then go for platinum, it sells rather well and it can be mined (laser mining) rather easy, but make sure you go in a Pristine Metallic Ring

This chart might help - but make sure you read and understand the Colum Legend.

Regarding ship config, for Laser mining: you need a pair of medium mining laser, refinery, an A rated prospector limpet, Collectors (at least 4, better 6 or more), refinery and cargo space (and a Detailed Surface Scanner to spot the Hotspots)
For Deep Core, you need a Pulse Wave Analyzer (PWA), DSS, Seismic Charge Launcher, Abrasion Blaster, refinery, prospector limpet, controllers (at least 4) and cargo space.
However, Deep Core mining is much harder than the plain laser mining and i would advise against starting with it, but there are plenty of guides and YT movies about it.

If you are not already familiar with Coriolis.io, get used to it - it's very nice to workout ship builds (and share them). EDSY.org is can be better but also harder to use (it's a bit more nerdy than coriolis.io)

An attempt to an Universal MIner (laser, subsurface, deep core) would be this Asp Explorer, but keep in mind, it cannot deal with any pirates, so avoid combat at all costs (win any interdiction attempt and if you have any cargo and pirates appear, just put 4 PIPs in Eng, 2 in SYS and head out of the ring boosting till you can get to supercruise.

3) you bind the mining tools to triggers and you use them (most if not all of the mining tools work with the hud in analysis mode)
search some YT movies cause it's easier to watch and learn than me to write it all down, then if you still have questions ask them here.

3 ( second one ) Sulfur is a common material, you should be able to find it on any planet surface.
So Hop into the SRV and use the Wave Scanner to guide you to things of interest on the planetary surface - again it's harder to explain how to use it, you can either try it for yourself or find an YT movie/guide

4) See above. Not exactly mining with the SRV, but just roaming the surface searching for anomalies (using the Wave Scanner for this) and when you find them you just shoot them with the SRV, open the cargo scoop, select them and then run them over to collect.

Thanks for the helpful tips.
Speaking of engineering... Did you have something special in mind, there?
I'm just taking my first steps in that direction, having unlocked the guy that upgrades cannons and the lady in... what was it... Kuhn system or something along those lines. The one that does engine and shield upgrades.

 

[Codger]

This is very interesting and I definitely would go and read it, but at this moment, there is not enough room for all of this in my head. I would forget 3/4 of that information. I have to take the slow route.

What do you want to know that isn't there? There are suggested builds, which shows you which equipment you need. There are suggested places to mine, so you know where to go. There's info on pricing, where to find decent prices, etc.

Everything is there in that post. You surely don't want me to just pick and choose quotes from there, do you? Just dive in.

 

[Ashnak]

Stuff like sulfur, which seems to be a quite common material for the first engineering stages.

Ah... that's the kind of stuff you don't (usually) get through mining (i.e. in space, in a ship, in an asteroid ring or belt, using mining lasers) but instead through surface prospecting (i.e. in an SRV, on a planetary surface, by shooting specific rocks, geological or biological POIs).

Mining will get you minerals (with the odd low end material thrown in, if you're laser mining), while (surface) prospecting will get you materials (to be exact: raw materials), which you can use for engineering. Minerals you can then sell for cash, materials are only good for engineering and are not tradeable.

If you want Sulfur, go to EDDB, Bodies section https://eddb.io/body , then enter a reference system (usually the place where you are now), choose which material(s) you want to get and any other specifics, then hit "find bodies". If you want a guaranteed location for finding whatever material you're looking for, select "Volcanism" for "extra column", then only regard those places with some sort of volcanism. At least in Horizons, the volcanis areas (= geological POI) are guaranteed to sprout the full collection of this bodies' harvestable materials.

If you're looking to fill up all of your material bins, check out https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...terials-bins-using-crystalline-shards.481235/ . A bit of an effort, as the closest mineral shard places are still some ways out, but worth it if you're after high end (grade 4) materials.

 

[Teiri]

Another way to attempt mining is actually just to dive in, without properly reading on that. No way it's optimal, but it's very well possible and you can even get some profit out of it. And some Sulfur surely. It drops from mining and is very common. A lot of ppl actually add it to ignore even, as it's worthless, and gather instead more expensive mats. But nothing wrong with getting Sulfur as you mine if you wish, it'll drop. So what do you need for that, laser mining, in a very simplistic approach.

• A ship. Anything with 3-digits cargo will do. Asp, Dropship, Keelback, Python, whatever. For example Asp Explorer. Or you can start with a Cobra too, if that's what you have.
• Two mining lasers at least. Fit more if PD allows. If you don't know about PD and energy yet, just fit some and see how it works.
• A Refinery. The most expensive with the most bins, as you don't even know what you mine yet.
• One A class prospector at least, any size will do for now.
• An amount of collectors, at least 4, then more is better.
• Cargo, some noticeable tonnage.
• A ringed planet.

That's all - then you just go to that ring, shot prospector at an asteroid of your choice, see it's content and ask yourself if you like it, release collectors, shot the roid with laser and let limpets gather things. Then you fill your cargo in a while and go sell it somewhere. This is a starting point and with time it requires quite a bit of optimisation that is all described in the guides, but as an example, somewhere in this direction.

• Python, Krait or even a bigger ship takes over the task.
• A random ringed planet becomes a planet with Pristine Metallic ring and you're mining Platinum there.
• That is in a good Platinum hotspot that you've found after scanning the ring with Detailed surface scanner, that you equipped together with other things.
• 4 lasers, 10 collectors, small refinery as you mostly mine Platinum / Painite / Osmium / maybe something else you like.
• You're monitoring Platinum price when selling, currently 250k+ is a good price, and care to haul it there where it sells well or mine nearby.

Mining is mostly done for profits, selling these ores you mine. If your goal is different, might be that it's reachable not only by mining. Like if you are after raw mats, such as Sulfur, as you decided to get some engi done, there're other ways. If you point the main direction, it'll be easier for ppl to advice, e. g. you could be aiming for a lightly engineered explorer ship just to go wander in the Galaxy, or maybe something else.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

What do you want to know that isn't there? There are suggested builds, which shows you which equipment you need. There are suggested places to mine, so you know where to go. There's info on pricing, where to find decent prices, etc.

Everything is there in that post. You surely don't want me to just pick and choose quotes from there, do you? Just dive in.

Sorry, but that doesn't help. You should at least attempt to read and understand what I wrote if you answer.

Ah... that's the kind of stuff you don't (usually) get through mining (i.e. in space, in a ship, in an asteroid ring or belt, using mining lasers) but instead through surface prospecting (i.e. in an SRV, on a planetary surface, by shooting specific rocks, geological or biological POIs).

Mining will get you minerals (with the odd low end material thrown in, if you're laser mining), while (surface) prospecting will get you materials (to be exact: raw materials), which you can use for engineering. Minerals you can then sell for cash, materials are only good for engineering and are not tradeable.

If you want Sulfur, go to EDDB, Bodies section https://eddb.io/body , then enter a reference system (usually the place where you are now), choose which material(s) you want to get and any other specifics, then hit "find bodies". If you want a guaranteed location for finding whatever material you're looking for, select "Volcanism" for "extra column", then only regard those places with some sort of volcanism. At least in Horizons, the volcanis areas (= geological POI) are guaranteed to sprout the full collection of this bodies' harvestable materials.

If you're looking to fill up all of your material bins, check out https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...terials-bins-using-crystalline-shards.481235/ . A bit of an effort, as the closest mineral shard places are still some ways out, but worth it if you're after high end (grade 4) materials.

Ah. Now, some pieces of the puzzle fall into their respective places. Thank you.

Another way to attempt mining is actually just to dive in, without properly reading on that. No way it's optimal, but it's very well possible and you can even get some profit out of it. And some Sulfur surely. It drops from mining and is very common. A lot of ppl actually add it to ignore even, as it's worthless, and gather instead more expensive mats. But nothing wrong with getting Sulfur as you mine if you wish, it'll drop. So what do you need for that, laser mining, in a very simplistic approach.

• A ship. Anything with 3-digits cargo will do. Asp, Dropship, Keelback, Python, whatever. For example Asp Explorer. Or you can start with a Cobra too, if that's what you have.
• Two mining lasers at least. Fit more if PD allows. If you don't know about PD and energy yet, just fit some and see how it works.
• A Refinery. The most expensive with the most bins, as you don't even know what you mine yet.
• One A class prospector at least, any size will do for now.
• An amount of collectors, at least 4, then more is better.
• Cargo, some noticeable tonnage.
• A ringed planet.

That's all - then you just go to that ring, shot prospector at an asteroid of your choice, see it's content and ask yourself if you like it, release collectors, shot the roid with laser and let limpets gather things. Then you fill your cargo in a while and go sell it somewhere. This is a starting point and with time it requires quite a bit of optimisation that is all described in the guides, but as an example, somewhere in this direction.

• Python, Krait or even a bigger ship takes over the task.
• A random ringed planet becomes a planet with Pristine Metallic ring and you're mining Platinum there.
• That is in a good Platinum hotspot that you've found after scanning the ring with Detailed surface scanner, that you equipped together with other things.
• 4 lasers, 10 collectors, small refinery as you mostly mine Platinum / Painite / Osmium / maybe something else you like.
• You're monitoring Platinum price when selling, currently 250k+ is a good price, and care to haul it there where it sells well or mine nearby.

Mining is mostly done for profits, selling these ores you mine. If your goal is different, might be that it's reachable not only by mining. Like if you are after raw mats, such as Sulfur, as you decided to get some engi done, there're other ways. If you point the main direction, it'll be easier for ppl to advice, e. g. you could be aiming for a lightly engineered explorer ship just to go wander in the Galaxy, or maybe something else.

Another very helpful answer that doesn't overwhelm my poor brain. Thank you.

When I tried mining in the starting area, I just happened to blow up some sulfur together with other stuff when I fired my lasers at one of those floating rocks, thus presumed that this is the way to obtain sulfur. In that phase, planets mainly were there for me to crash my ship into the ground because I hadn't found the light switch yet, or getting my SRV stuck in some inactive base while trying to activate something...

Right now, I indeed am keen to collect some materials for engineering, thus checking every unidentified signal source I stumble upon. I guess I'd better brush the dust off my SRV to get to what I can't find in space...

 

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

The materials you need for engineering are separate to those you can get through mining. However, as @Ashnak points out, some asteroids will give up engineering materials as well as those items considered as a commodity which you can sell for profit.

When you are on a planet in your SRV, you will come across stuff like outcrops or metallic meteorites. When you shoot them, they explode and leave materials laying on the ground - you can use your SRV's cargo scoop to eun over them and pick them up. These are used in engineering.

You may come across a geological site. These often have geysers erupting and fumeroles which have stuff like piceous cobbles or some type of crystal. Your SRV scanner will pick these up and targeting them will show what they are. These can be shot and will also yield egineering material.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

The materials you need for engineering are separate to those you can get through mining. However, as @Ashnak points out, some asteroids will give up engineering materials as well as those items considered as a commodity which you can sell for profit.

When you are on a planet in your SRV, you will come across stuff like outcrops or metallic meteorites. When you shoot them, they explode and leave materials laying on the ground - you can use your SRV's cargo scoop to eun over them and pick them up. These are used in engineering.

You may come across a geological site. These often have geysers erupting and fumeroles which have stuff like piceous cobbles or some type of crystal. Your SRV scanner will pick these up and targeting them will show what they are. These can be shot and will also yield egineering material.

Ah. That narrows it down some more. thanks.

 

[Codger]

Hmm. Ok, then I'll try to break it down.

Here's a list of what ships to get for mining:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mptndq

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mptndq/psa_what_ship_should_i_buy_for_mining/

Here's some detailed info on how to outfit your ship for laser mining:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/jb2hcq

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/jb2hcq/psa_basic_principles_of_outfitting_your_ship_for/

Here's a detailed post about how to find a good mining spot:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mz3m0g

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mz3m0g/psa_how_to_find_a_good_mining_spot/

Here's some info on how to engineer your ship for laser mining:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/l2qi21

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/l2qi21/psa_engineering_your_ship_for_mining/

Is that more helpful?

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

Hmm. Ok, then I'll try to break it down.

Here's a list of what ships to get for mining:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mptndq

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mptndq/psa_what_ship_should_i_buy_for_mining/

Here's some detailed info on how to outfit your ship for laser mining:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/jb2hcq

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/jb2hcq/psa_basic_principles_of_outfitting_your_ship_for/

Here's a detailed post about how to find a good mining spot:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mz3m0g

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/mz3m0g/psa_how_to_find_a_good_mining_spot/

Here's some info on how to engineer your ship for laser mining:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/l2qi21

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/l2qi21/psa_engineering_your_ship_for_mining/

Is that more helpful?

Definitely. Just right for my sleepdeprived brain.
And leaves enough room for me to discover the finer details.

Many thanks.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

The materials you need for engineering are separate to those you can get through mining. (excerpt)

I checked the blueprints and found that some of them require metals like iron or chromium. I take it to obtain these, I'll have to go mining?

 

[Codger]

I checked the blueprints and found that some of them require metals like iron or chromium. I take it to obtain these, I'll have to go mining?

Some can be gathered by mining, yes. Others require planetary gathering in your SRV. Others are gathered via missions and whatnot.

This site has a list and suggestions for gathering the various engineering mats.

Engineering Material Finder: Elite Dangerous — CMDRs ToolBox

A easy to use list that shows you where you can find any engineering material in Elite Dangerous. There is also guides for each material to help you get started.

cmdrs-toolbox.com

Note that engineering is complex and time consuming. It can make your ships much better, but it is not a requirement for getting started.

 

[Val Sylvana]

There's a hell of a lot to take in with mining, and it takes a while to get your head around how to use all the different tools. I learnt a lot from watching YouTube videos by Exigeous and Down to Earth Astronomy.

 

[aRJay]

I checked the blueprints and found that some of them require metals like iron or chromium. I take it to obtain these, I'll have to go mining?

Iron, Chromium, Tin, Tungsten along with many others can be found on planets using the SRV.
Anything listed in a blueprint does not require “mining” as the term is usually thought of in the game, no refinery required no cargo racks needed and cannot be bought and sold on a Commodity Market.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

Some can be gathered by mining, yes. Others require planetary gathering in your SRV. Others are gathered via missions and whatnot.

This site has a list and suggestions for gathering the various engineering mats.

Engineering Material Finder: Elite Dangerous — CMDRs ToolBox

A easy to use list that shows you where you can find any engineering material in Elite Dangerous. There is also guides for each material to help you get started.

cmdrs-toolbox.com

Note that engineering is complex and time consuming. It can make your ships much better, but it is not a requirement for getting started.

This link definitely finds a place in my bookmarks.
Even though there are quite a few materials listed as linked to certain vessels out there which I seem to have found in random degraded/encrypted emissions... But I am not entirely sure about that as I don't really know what I've come across out there, so far.
Nevertheless, another big thank you, commander. o7

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

Iron, Chromium, Tin, Tungsten along with many others can be found on planets using the SRV.
Anything listed in a blueprint does not require “mining” as the term is usually thought of in the game, no refinery required no cargo racks needed and cannot be bought and sold on a Commodity Market.

From what I've seen so far, you need a refinery, at least for the stuff you collect in space. Not sure about the stuff on the ground, though.