eve online mining guide

EVE Online Mining Guide (2024) Mining is one of the most accessible ways to earn ISK in EVE Online, whether you're a new player or a veteran industrialist. This guide covers the basics of mining, ship choices, optimal locations, and advanced techniques. Getting Started with Mining Basic Requirements Ship: Start with a Venture (best beginner mining frigate) or a Barge (better yield). Skills: Train Mining, Astrogeology, and Mining Barge skills. Equipment: Fit a Mining Laser (or Strip Miner for barges) and Survey Scanner. Ore Hold: Ensure your ship has enough cargo space for ore. How to Mine Find an asteroid belt (in high-sec, low-sec, or null-sec). Lock an asteroid and activate your mining laser. Collect ore into your ships hold. Dock at a station to refine or sell the ore. Best Mining Ships Ship Role Best For Venture Beginner Mining Frigate High-sec, gas harvesting Procurer Tanky Barge High-sec, safer mining Retriever High-Yield Barge AFK mining in high-sec Covetor Fast Mining Barge Active mining, higher risk Mackinaw (Exhumer) Endgame Mining Ship Best yield for high-sec/null-sec Rorqual (Capital) Capital Mining Ship Null-sec, boosts, high risk Where to Mine High-Security Space (High-Sec) Safest but lower-value ores (Veldspar, Scordite, Plagioclase). Best for beginners and AFK mining. Recommended Systems: Any high-sec system with asteroid belts. Low-Security Space (Low-Sec) Higher risk (PvP threats) but better ores (Pyroxeres, Omber). Use a Procurer or Skiff for tankiness. Null-Security Space (Null-Sec) Best ores (Arknonor, Bistot, Mercoxit) but dangerous. Requires a fleet or corporation support. Rorqual or Mackinaw recommended. Wormhole Space (C1-C6) Rare ores (Rakovene, Jaspet) but extremely dangerous. Use a Prospect (cloaky mining frigate) or fleet-supported mining ops. Mining Equipment & Upgrades Basic Modules Mining Laser I/II (Venture, Barges) Strip Miner I/II (Barges, Exhumers) Survey Scanner (to check asteroid contents) Mining Drone I/II (boosts yield) Rigs & Upgrades Mining Laser Optimization (reduces cycle time) Mining Yield (increases ore per cycle) Cargo Expanders (for more ore storage) Boosters & Implants Mining Foreman Mindlink (boosts yield) Mining Implants (e.g., "Highwall" implants) Mining Foreman Burst (boosts fleet mining) Advanced Mining Techniques Fleet Mining (Boosts) Join a mining fleet with an Orca or Rorqual for bonuses. Use Mining Foreman Links to increase efficiency. Ice Mining Requires Ice Harvester modules. Found in high-sec ice belts or null-sec. Used for fuel blocks and reactions. Gas Harvesting Requires a Gas Cloud Harvester (Venture works well). Found in wormholes and null-sec. Used for drug production and high-end manufacturing. Mercoxit Mining Requires Modulated Deep Core Strip Miner. Found in null-sec and wormholes. Used for T2 production. Selling & Refining Ore Refine ore at a station with high refining skills. Sell raw ore in trade hubs (Jita, Amarr, Dodixie). Reprocess into minerals for higher profits (if you have good refining skills). Safety Tips Avoid AFK mining in low/null-sec (gankers will target you). Use a tanky ship (Procurer/Skiff) in dangerous areas. Scout nearby systems for hostiles. Join a corporation for protection and mining boosts. Final Thoughts Mining can be a relaxing and profitable career in EVE Online, but it requires proper ship fitting, location choice, and awareness of dangers. As you progress, consider joining a mining corporation or expanding into industrial production for even greater profits. Would you like recommendations for specific fits or corporations? o7