Posted by: Konisforce
« on: August 31, 2012, 11:41:55 AM »Alrighty. Ya, thought I might've missed something about relative mining efficiency, but it's just cost / transport, then.
Posted by: TheDeadlyShoe
« on: August 31, 2012, 09:27:15 AM »Automated mines just cost twice as much. Manned mining colonies also usually generate wealth via commerce if they are large enough.
Of course, which is actually more efficient depends totally on available mining locations and your mining goals. An irradiated hellhole with 2x the mineral density will be just as efficient as a nice planet. Distance matters too; lifting mines to extra-solar locations is a lot of effort. On the other hand, a mostly-habitable world with 0.6 corundium will net you more corundium than an automine moon with 1.0 corundium.
Of course, which is actually more efficient depends totally on available mining locations and your mining goals. An irradiated hellhole with 2x the mineral density will be just as efficient as a nice planet. Distance matters too; lifting mines to extra-solar locations is a lot of effort. On the other hand, a mostly-habitable world with 0.6 corundium will net you more corundium than an automine moon with 1.0 corundium.
Posted by: Konisforce
« on: August 31, 2012, 09:10:08 AM »By 'less efficient' do you mean they extract less or just that they cost more? 'cause I thought automated mines were exactly the same at extracting as regular mines, just cost more.
Posted by: White Owl
« on: August 28, 2012, 09:26:20 PM »Time to make some s'mores and mine me some mercassium. Thanks.
Posted by: Havear
« on: August 28, 2012, 08:58:29 PM »No, automated mines can be placed anywhere but gas giants or stars since they have no surface. TNEs are epic.
Posted by: White Owl
« on: August 28, 2012, 08:42:13 PM »I know the automated mines are less efficient than manned mines, but do they have any environmental limits? I just found a beautiful . 8 acc pile of mercassium, but the planet's average surface temperature is 1536 degrees C. Before I just wing it and find out what it takes to melt a mine into slag, I thought I'd ask the experts first.
