2 quick questions about mining

[jejo68 (OP)]

Just two questions

1) how do mining ships work ? well for once how do I set them to start mining and secondly what happens to the mineral. will they carry it in cargo or deposit it on the asteroid/planet ?

2) what happens to asteroids when you mine them ? will they dissapear or will they just get mined out ?

[ShadoCat]

Just two questions

1) how do mining ships work ? well for once how do I set them to start mining and secondly what happens to the mineral. will they carry it in cargo or deposit it on the asteroid/planet ?

You set the asteroid/planet as a colony using F9.  Then the mining ship will mine the ore and set them on the surface.  You can then use a cargo ship to get the ore.

2) what happens to asteroids when you mine them ? will they dissapear or will they just get mined out ?

They just get mined out.  You are likely only decreasing the mass of the asteroid by 1-2% (not enough to have a game impact).

[Elmo]

You set the asteroid/planet as a colony using F9.  Then the mining ship will mine the ore and set them on the surface.  You can then use a cargo ship to get the ore.

...

Can you use a mass driver instead of a cargo ship?  When would a mining ship be a better idea than automated mines?

[Steve Walmsley]

You set the asteroid/planet as a colony using F9.  Then the mining ship will mine the ore and set them on the surface.  You can then use a cargo ship to get the ore.

Can you use a mass driver instead of a cargo ship?  When would a mining ship be a better idea than automated mines?

If the destination is in the same system, a mass driver is easier. Mining ships are generally cheaper in terms of the cost per mine but can only be used for asteroids. Also, they have to be built in shipyards while automated mines can be churned out by factories.

Steve

[jejo68 (OP)]

cool. thanks

[ShadoCat]

Can you use a mass driver instead of a cargo ship?  When would a mining ship be a better idea than automated mines?

Yes, but if I was going to take the time to drop off a mass driver, I'd be taking automated mines as well.  I prefer automated mines to mining ships.

However, if I saw a bunch of high availability but low value asteroids, I'd probably send a mining ship out to dig the ore and then have a cargo ship make a run once there were a few mined out asteroids.

[Yonder]

If the destination is in the same system, a mass driver is easier. Mining ships are generally cheaper in terms of the cost per mine but can only be used for asteroids. Also, they have to be built in shipyards while automated mines can be churned out by factories.

Steve

So Mining Ships can't be used for Comets?

[Yonder]

Sorry to double post, but I thought of another mobile mining question. If you attach a Civilian Administrator with a mining Bonus to the Asteroid will it affect the ships?

[mrwigggles]

Sorry to double post, but I thought of another mobile mining question. If you attach a Civilian Administrator with a mining Bonus to the Asteroid will it affect the ships?

Try it out!

[Yonder]

Sorry to double post, but I thought of another mobile mining question. If you attach a Civilian Administrator with a mining Bonus to the Asteroid will it affect the ships?

Try it out!

Looks like it does apply the bonus. It also worked when I assigned an Administrator to a civilian mining complex.

[Mikeck]

On a similar note, is there a particular advantage to dropping off an automatic mine onto a planet/asteroid vs a mine? I have both and I haven't figured the difference...although as I write this I am fearing that a colony requires a population to use a regular mine...noticeably absent on asteroids and non-hab planets.

[sloanjh]

On a similar note, is there a particular advantage to dropping off an automatic mine onto a planet/asteroid vs a mine? I have both and I haven't figured the difference...although as I write this I am fearing that a colony requires a population to use a regular mine...noticeably absent on asteroids and non-hab planets.

Correct in one....

John