I would like to suggest that 2 new SRV variants be added to Elite with the specialty of surface mining.
Welder
This SRV is larger than a standard SRV and as such, takes up 2 hangar slots. The Welder has a pair of pylons out in front near ground level that can produce a heated beam of plasma between them. Driving into a surface rock with this beam adds the materials from the rock directly to the SRV's cargo hold. The cargo hold is also quite expansive compared to the standard SRV.
Driller
This SRV is larger than a standard SRV and as such, takes up 2 hangar slots. The Driller is a mining SRV that is built around a core drill extractor. When 'fired', the core drilling procedure is the exact same as the sub-surface displacement missile mini game, only on the planets surface. Different mineral deposits show up as different colors. Where the pilot deploys the drill can also affect the minerals available under the surface. The cargo hold is not quite as large as the Welder but is still larger than the Scarab.
Welder
This SRV is larger than a standard SRV and as such, takes up 2 hangar slots. The Welder has a pair of pylons out in front near ground level that can produce a heated beam of plasma between them. Driving into a surface rock with this beam adds the materials from the rock directly to the SRV's cargo hold. The cargo hold is also quite expansive compared to the standard SRV.
Driller
This SRV is larger than a standard SRV and as such, takes up 2 hangar slots. The Driller is a mining SRV that is built around a core drill extractor. When 'fired', the core drilling procedure is the exact same as the sub-surface displacement missile mini game, only on the planets surface. Different mineral deposits show up as different colors. Where the pilot deploys the drill can also affect the minerals available under the surface. The cargo hold is not quite as large as the Welder but is still larger than the Scarab.