Mining in Star Citizen

Mining in Star Citizen is the process of extracting valuable minerals and materials from planets, moons, and asteroid belts for commercial profit. This activity is primarily conducted using specialized ship-mounted mining equipment or hand-held tools and can take place in open space, on planetary surfaces, or underground.
The resources obtained through mining include both industrial and rare materials, such as Gold, Taranite, Bexalite, and Quantanium.

Mining Vehicles and Ships

In Star Citizen, players have access to a range of vehicles designed for mining operations, including two dedicated mining ships and two ground-based mining vehicles:

• Mining Ships: Argo MOLE and MISC Prospector
• Ground Vehicles: Greycat ROC and Greycat ROC-DS

Mining Ships

Argo MOLE (Multi-Operator Laser Extractor)

The Argo MOLE is a medium-sized, multi-crew mining ship developed by Argo Astronautics. Designed for collaborative operations, it features three independent mining turrets, allowing multiple crew members to work simultaneously. The ship is equipped with extensive mineral storage, boasting 96 SCU of cargo capacity, ensuring maximum efficiency in resource collection. The MOLE embodies the philosophy that “many hands make light work.”

MISC Prospector

The MISC Prospector is a compact, single-operator mining vessel optimized for independent miners. It features a telescopic mining arm with interchangeable laser heads and four external cargo containers, allowing for the storage of up to 32 SCU of raw ore. The Prospector also includes essential living quarters, making it ideal for solo mining expeditions.

Ground-Based Mining Vehicles

Greycat ROC (Remote Ore Collector)

The Greycat ROC is a single-seat mining vehicle designed to extract larger crystalline mineral deposits that are too big for hand tools but too small for mining ships. Its compact design allows it to be transported within medium-sized ships such as the Cutlass Black, Nomad, Freelancer MAX, and Valkyrie, providing mobility across planetary surfaces.

Greycat ROC-DS (Remote Ore Collector – Dual Seat)

The Greycat ROC-DS is an upgraded, two-seat version of the standard ROC, offering improved mining capabilities with a more powerful custom mining head. It features a manually operated mining arm that allows access to difficult-to-reach deposits and boasts four times the ore storage capacity of its single-seat counterpart, enhancing overall profitability and efficiency.

Optimized Mining Loadout for Argo MOLE

Upgrading your ship is essential for maximizing efficiency, and the Argo MOLE is no exception. Below is a carefully curated loadout designed to optimize mining performance.

Recommended Mining Lasers

• Impact II – Ideal for increased extraction power and extended laser range, particularly effective for breaking rocks in the 20-30k mass range.
  • Modules:
    • Rieger-C3
    • Surge
    • Stampede
• Hofstede S2 – Best suited for handling rocks with varying resistance, from small to large, while providing an expanded “green zone.”
  • Modules:
    • Rieger-C3
    • Stampede
• Helix II – Designed for breaking high-mass rocks, offering superior power output.
  • Modules:
    • Rieger-C3
    • Surge
    • Stampede

Essential Mining Gadgets

To enhance efficiency and adaptability, the following mining gadgets are recommended:

• 1x Bormax – Reduces instability and modifies clustering properties.
• 2x Sabir – Facilitates breaking the largest rocks while increasing the “green zone.”

Backup Modules

To ensure uninterrupted mining operations, carrying backup modules is essential:

• 5x Surge – Replacement modules for when an active unit fails.
• 3x Stampede – Fewer required due to extended durability.
• 1x Focus-3 – Provides additional “green zone” when sufficient power is already available.
• 1x Rieger-C2 – Useful when additional power is needed, as stacking multiple Rieger-C3 modules is not feasible.

With this optimized loadout, the Argo MOLE will be well-equipped to handle a variety of mining conditions, ensuring maximum yield and operational efficiency.

Conclusion

Mining in Star Citizen offers a diverse and engaging gameplay experience, whether working solo with the Prospector or collaborating with a team aboard the MOLE. Ground-based mining with the ROC and ROC-DS provides additional opportunities for planetary resource extraction. With a variety of tools and vehicles at their disposal, players can tailor their mining operations to suit their preferred playstyle, maximizing efficiency and profit in the vast universe of Star Citizen.