Mining in Star Citizen is an essential activity for both new and experienced players. The latest patch, 3.23, brings updated features and minor changes to mining, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to get involved.

This article focuses on two main types of mining: Rock mining and ship mining with the Prospector.

Rock mining requires a mining vehicle known as the Rock and a ship to transport it.

For beginners, both can be quickly acquired through rentals or purchases. The Nomad is an affordable starter ship that can carry the Rock.

Once equipped, players head to a refining station to prepare for mining.

Ship mining, on the other hand, involves using the Prospector, a vessel designed specifically for mining. This ship provides unique gameplay experiences with its advanced features and single-seater design.

Both methods offer robust opportunities to gather valuable minerals and generate in-game profits.

Key Takeaways

• The latest patch introduces changes to mining.
• Rock mining involves using a specialized mining vehicle.
• The Prospector ship is essential for ship mining.

Mining Overview in Star Citizen

Types of Mining

In Star Citizen, there are three primary ways to mine. First, there’s Hand Mining, which requires the multi-tool and is often called FPS mining.

Second, Rock Mining uses the ROC mining vehicle and is popular for its efficiency.

Third, Ship Mining involves two types of ships: the prospector, which is a single-seater, and the larger mole.

Gameplay Styles For Mining

The strategies for mining in Star Citizen differ depending on the type of mining you’re doing.

Rock Mining involves finding a rock, usually with a small ship that can carry it.

Players seek out optimal locations, scan for valuable minerals, and then fracture and extract them.

Ship Mining with ships like the prospector follows a similar scanning and fracturing process but often targets larger rocks and deposits, requiring more sophisticated techniques.

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Beginning Rock Mining

Rock mining in Star Citizen requires a mining vehicle called The Rock and a ship capable of transporting it. If you’re a newcomer, rest assured, these items are easy to acquire even on a budget.

Equipment Needed

• The Rock: This mining vehicle can be rented for 2,598 aUEC or bought for around 104,000 aUEC from New Deal in Lorville.
• Ship: The Nomad is the smallest and cheapest starter ship that can carry The Rock. Renting a Cutlass Black for 52,000 aUEC is another option if a ship upgrade isn’t an option.

Renting and Purchasing

For renting:

1. Head to any refinery deck.
2. Navigate to the mining Support Center.
3. Use the rental terminal to rent The Rock and a ship.

For purchasing:

1. Visit the New Deal store at Lorville.

Setting Up

1. Go to the hangar to collect your rented or purchased ship.
2. Head to a Planet Side mining station to summon The Rock from a designated ASOP terminal.
3. Fly to Aberdine for high Hadanite concentrations, ensuring your ship is fitted with a Pembroke suit to resist extreme heat.
4. Spawn The Rock from the mining station’s terminal and load it onto your ship.

Mining Operations

1. Activate Pings: Briefly hold down Tab and release to send out pings, which reveal mining locations.
2. Scanning Mode: Press Left Shift and Tab to switch. Mouse wheel up to increase scan power. Aim at markers to get a signature.
3. Identify Rocks: Look for tightly packed markers if you’re seeking rocks suitable for The Rock.

Mining Process

1. Approach Rocks: Land near the cluster.
2. Deploy Mining Arm: Press M to switch to mining mode.
3. Scan: Aim at the rocks to initiate scanning.
4. Engage Laser: Left mouse click to turn on the laser. Use Left Alt and the mouse wheel to adjust power.
5. Heat Rock: Maintain power to keep the rock in the green optimal zone. Avoid the red overcharge zone to prevent explosions.
6. Fracture Rocks: Hold the green zone until the rock fractures.

Extraction

1. Switch to Extraction Mode: Right click to change modes.
2. Collect Gems: Aim the laser at gems and click to pick them up. If issues arise, try switching modes or repositioning the vehicle.

Selling Gems

1. Return to the mining station.
2. Transfer gems from The Rock to ship storage.
3. Use the admin terminal inside the station’s building to sell your gems.

Obtaining Mining Gear

Choices for Ships and Vehicles

For mining in Star Citizen, selecting the right ship or vehicle is key. There are different options based on the player’s needs:

1. Mining Vehicles:
   • The Rock is a popular choice for vehicle mining due to its efficiency and ease of use.
   • The Nomad by Consolidated Outlands can carry the Rock, making it a cost-effective starter ship.
2. Mining Ships:
   • The Prospector is a single-seater ship designed for solo mining operations.
   • The Mole, a larger ship, allows for multi-crew mining activities.

Options for Renting or Buying

New and experienced players can either rent or purchase their mining equipment.

• Renting Equipment:
  • Players can rent the Rock for 2,598 aUEC and the Cutlass Black for around 52,000 aUEC.
  • The Prospector can be rented for 73,000 aUEC.
• Buying Equipment:
  • The Rock can be bought for just under 104,000 aUEC at New Deal in Lorville.
  • A Prospector costs 2,943,000 aUEC at New Deal in Lorville.

In-Game Options for Equipment

In the game, acquiring mining equipment is straightforward:

1. Rental Terminals:
   • Located at various refinery decks, these terminals allow players to rent mining vehicles and ships.
2. Shops:
   • New Deal in Lorville sells mining ships and vehicles for players looking to purchase their own equipment.

Mining Using The Rock

Preparing for the Mining Trip

To start mining with The Rock, you’ll need two main items: The Rock mining vehicle and a ship large enough to transport it.

For new players, these items are easy to get. The smallest and cheapest starter ship that can carry The Rock is the Nomad by Consolidated Outlands. If you don’t want to change your ship pledge, you can rent The Rock for 2598 aUEC and a Cutlass Black for around 52,000 aUEC.

Finding Mining Locations

Head to any Range Point listed and go to the Refinery Deck.

From there, locate the Mining Support Center at the back left of the room to find a rental terminal.

After renting your vehicle and ship, go to the hanger and retrieve your new ship.

Currently, you need to head to a planet-side mining station to summon The Rock.

Aberdine is a great choice due to its rich Hadanite deposits. Bring along a Pim Brook Exploration Suit for protection against extreme heat.

Quantum jump to the mining station, and locate the ASOP Terminal in the building beside the smaller pads to summon The Rock.

Mining and Scanning Process

Power on The Rock and park it inside your ship.

Return to the pilot seat, fly around, and send out pings by holding and releasing the Tab key.

Switch to scanning mode by pressing Left Shift and Tab, and adjust scan power with the mouse wheel.

Look for markers and approach them. Fly close until the markers split and you see spiral-like symbols indicating minable rocks.

Land the ship, exit, and approach the rocks with The Rock.

Switch to mining mode by pressing M, aim at the deposits with the mining arm and begin scanning.

Focus on the circular bars around the crosshair—the left shows your distance from the rock, the right shows the power meter.

Aim to keep the rock’s heat within the green optimal zone. If it enters the red overcharge zone, reduce power to avoid damage.

Extraction and Profit

After successful fracturing, switch to extraction mode by right-clicking.

Left-click to gather gems scattered on the ground.

If the extraction process seems tricky, try switching mining modes, restarting the vehicle, or adjusting the laser.

Collect all the gems and repeat the process until ready to sell.

Return to the mining station, and transfer the gems from The Rock to the ship for easier access.

Locate the Admin Terminal, access it, and sell your gems.

Repetition of this process will quickly make you profitable, covering your initial costs and more.

Ship Mining with the Prospector

Acquiring the Prospector

There are several options for getting a Prospector.

You can buy it outright from the pledge store for $150. If you prefer an in-game route, rent one at the same terminal where you can rent the Rock for 73,000 AUC.

For those looking to purchase one permanently, it is available for 2,931,000 AUC at New Deal in Lorville.

Prospector Specifications

The Prospector is equipped with a single size one bed and functional living quarters. It has two size two front-mounted repeaters for basic defense.

The ship features four ore canisters, also known as saddlebags, on its sides. It’s a single-seater vessel with a large 180° view for better navigation and mining.

How to Mine with the Prospector

1. Preparation and Setup: After acquiring the Prospector, head to your chosen mining area.
2. Engage the ship’s systems and switch to scanning mode to find mineable asteroids.
3. Scanning and Identification: Use the scanning tools by briefly holding Tab and releasing to send out pings.
4. Look for location markers that indicate minable rocks.
5. Aim at these markers and scan them thoroughly to assess their mineral content.
6. Fracturing and Extraction: Approach a mineral-rich rock and switch to mining mode by pressing M.
7. Aim at the rock and start the mining laser with a left mouse click.
8. Use the left Alt and scroll wheel to adjust the laser’s power, keeping it in the green optimal zone.
9. Once the rock fractures, switch to extraction mode by right-clicking and activating the extraction laser with the left mouse button.
10. Storing and Selling: Gather the extracted minerals and store them in the ship’s ore canisters.
11. Return to the base to sell your haul at the admin terminal in the mining station.
12. Ensure you transfer minerals from the Prospector to the terminal for sale. This will convert your mined resources into profit.