Reasons for not deep core mining?

[Vasquess]

I recently did some core mining again. And yes, the boom effect is nice and one can make quite some money. With time I also figured out how to find the core mining asteroids using the pulse wave thingy. Fine! But I think that core mining makes all other methods of mining completely obsolete. Ok, the lasers for old-school mining are much cheaper than the seismic charge launchers. But once you get one… And what I really don't understand is the cost of the displacement missile compared to the seismic launcher. Anyway.

Does anybody have an idea how these methods could be better balanced to make each mining method—if not a reasonable then—at least a valid choice. IMHO this would bring more diversity to the game. — I know, I'm not forced to do core mining. But when things are so unbalanced, I will not think about old-school mining, even though I liked that experience. It would simply feel as if I waste my game time because with core mining I also could make more credits as a side-effect.

 

[Rat Catcher]

Core mining is stunning with the effects, and very profitable.
Strip mining (particularly Painite) can also yield good profits, but have the added bonus of picking up Raw Mats too.
Both methods are profitable, but I do see the point you are making

 

[Icybow73]

Core mining takes long, and can get boring. I do it every now and then, but something I would love to see is a SLF with an abrasion blaster.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

Go old-style laser mining at a double Painite hotspot. At least as fast for credits as core mining, and probably quicker. If you like laser mining, that's definitely still viable for credits, if you pick your spots.

 

[Brrokk]

Laser mining still has its place. "Mining rush" missions usually require commodities primarily found on asteroid surfaces. CGs do too; bauxite was the easy thing to pile up at the Sag.A* mining CG. Some think there will soon be another (for station repairs) in the Witchhead sector. Materials are only gained from surface mining, not cores. Lastly, if you want a relaxed no-hard-thinking way to get credits, Painite mining in a hotspot (or overlapping hotspots) isn't far behind void opals for profit-per-hour.

<Edit> Ninja'd on the overlapping hotspots.

 

[Bacalao]

Go old-style laser mining at a double Painite hotspot. At least as fast for credits as core mining, and probably quicker. If you like laser mining, that's definitely still viable for credits, if you pick your spots.

This is super true and much less finicky than core mining.

 

[Icybow73]

This is super true and much less finicky than core mining.

More the reason for abrasion blaster SLF.

Please frontier

 

[Factabulous]

Laser mining: Brain switched off time
Core mining : Brain switched on time

Nice to have options.

 

[WR3ND]

I'd rather make and eat a meat pie. To each their own.

 

[S~P]

I don't core mine period, just seems like cheating to me and I haven't the patience for it either.

 

[Old Duck]

Go old-style laser mining at a double Painite hotspot. At least as fast for credits as core mining, and probably quicker. If you like laser mining, that's definitely still viable for credits, if you pick your spots.

I miss old-style mining. Any tips on picking these spots? Last time I tried, I came up dry.

 

[CMDR Yates]

Both surface and deep-core mining can be profitable in different ways. As others have said, surface tends to deliver fewer credits per hour, but has the bonus of providing materials as well. Deep core involves more planning, a visual-recognition learning curve, gives no mats, but is super-profitable when done right, engages the brain, and the explosions are fun.

Unfortunately, the third type, sub-surface displacement mining, which is a lot of fun too, and has one of the cooler little mini-games in Elite, just doesn't have the other advantages that would make it worthwhile most of the time. So, sadly, it's pretty overlooked.

 

[GeoJase]

Unfortunately, the third type, sub-surface displacement mining, which is a lot of fun too, and has one of the cooler little mini-games in Elite, just doesn't have the other advantages that would make it worthwhile most of the time. So, sadly, it's pretty overlooked.

Agreed. Handy to carry one for LTDs while out core hunting though, but its rarely used.

 

[CMDR Karrde Sun]

You gotta let go of something there.

I don't think you'll be disappointed if you go surface mining for painite as people do. Check out the elite miners subreddit for more info and where to go.

Last I checked they were pretty close. Deep core mining to me is the same as sitting there board hopping for hours waiting for rng to get the biggest one.. when you could be actually doing something with the perfectly good one infront of you. I suspect people that min max don't boast about how many times they tried the min max way and scored woefully less because of rng.

Painite mining fills up quicker than your limpets expire and the rng you hardly notice if you go for the fast spinning asteroids. ummmm... yeah Id agree coming away empty handed is a waste of time.. or spending 20 mins with nothing hoping your next one will be it is a waste of time. Each to their own though.

 

[Taifu]

I miss old-style mining. Any tips on picking these spots? Last time I tried, I came up dry.

cough BORANN A 2 cough Triple LTD hotspots cough

 

[Bigmaec]

Laser mining: Brain switched off time
Core mining : Brain switched on time

Nice to have options.

This

 

[War Eagle]

My only comment is that I like the music for the laser mining much better while dancing around that rock.

 

[Vasquess]

Tanks för the Feedback. Seems that I jumped onto the core mining hype train too fast. Sadly I sold my great laser mining vessel.

 

[CMDR Karrde Sun]

I miss old-style mining. Any tips on picking these spots? Last time I tried, I came up dry.

Miner's Tool

edtools.ddns.net

What I find is in the right overlapping areas to drop out in, the occurrence of painite is high enough you can happly ignore everything else. Also just in case, painite got a huge buff to its possible buy prices in the mining patch too!

Edit: Looks like all the kids are boasting about painite mining now. Deep cores were just the new thing etc. It took 20 mins for me to realise that to hit the boasted maximums people were talking about for deep core mining, the experience to do it I would find horrific. You can make grades of credits per hour not so extreme and actually have a go at more than a few cores you see.. with less downtime.. but thats a lower score than painite mining.

Edit2: When you go surface mining, you fill up so quickly that any cores you find along the way are just for humouring. If they aren't painite might as well just leave it there.

 

[BinakAlgo]

Ok, so, core mining is very profitable especially if you mine void opals or things low temp diamonds. Old-style mining is also profitable for painite or things like benitoite.

But then, why to mine any other cheap material?