The first mining fleet

It's time to make our first group effort, a mining fleet. Mining has terribly low income compared to trading, so why bother? Because there are huge changes in the mineral economy:

• rogue drones no longer drop alloys that were reprocessed to minerals
• pirates no longer drop T1 items that were reprocessed too
• bots will be banned more often

These will all decrease mineral production, significantly increasing mineral prices. The only thing that could increase mineral production is players mining. However as Jester pointed out, Hulkageddon is coming, and even without that Hulks are favorite targets of random griefers. Hulks are weak, 24K EHP is the max you can achieve with full tank fit. Hulks are also damn expensive, 350M already and with material prices that increases too, so 5 tornado cost. And only two ganking tornado can take it down in highsec. In low and even alliance-owned null the situation is even worse. In low, random roaming pirates can even profitably gank them, in corporate null stealth bombers and cynoed fleets of enemies or simple griefers will massacre them.

However for every problem there is solution. This time it's inspired by a strange roleplayer, Chribba, who created The Veldnought a dreadnought mining veldspar. Of course we don't have to take so expensive route. Check this ship out:This ship has 5x more EHP than a Hulk and mines 2/3 as much. It has no bounty on it during Hulkageddon and probably most gankers would just ignore it. Those who don't must make some serious effort: 10 ganking tornado needed in highsec, 12 if the pilot has the reaction time to overheat the defensive modules. To make it worse, this ship costs just 3 Tornadoes.

I'm sure that the next weeks minerals will come from mining battleships. Of course for low sec they need shield boosters too and proper armed escort, but an Orca with 10-12 such ships and haulers can make some serious mining operation relatively safely in owned nullsec. For even more safety and effectivity, one can mimic Chribba's other ship, the Veldatar. Of course a mining titan is probably overkill, but I really believe that in low and nullsec mining heavy combat ships will be common sight. Of course with a carrier around to be able to instantly refit for combat.

And there is a way for mining even for solo players during Hulkageddon without having a battleship. Use a Covetor or a Procurer. They cost 35M and 4M so you simply factor losses into the income, calculating with the insurance too. You'll be ganked, but if you are smart and mine in hidden systems, your income will outperform your losses.

Now back to our operation: It will happen on Saturday 15:00 server time (what time zone is that anyway?). Be on the goblinworks channel, we figure out the details. Come with any ship useful for a mining operation (mining barge, mining BS, hauler, Orca). The main aim is to optimize this operation since during Hulkageddon it will probably be a serious income source to have a gank-proof mining fleet, so preferably come with your Hulkageddon-mining ship (I'll have an Orca by then). Of course the common sense EVE rules apply: don't fly what you can't replace, have insurance and tank modules.

More details: since 15+ ships in one place is asking for being smartbombed, I'd prefer several smaller fleets: 3-5 mining ships, a hauler, preferably an Orca too. My fleet will surely operate in Caldari space, probably The Citadel, however on the channel you can form other fleets too. Important info on jetcans: you can create one once in every 3 mins, but you can name them and keep loading them!

Moron of the day is here. Please. Don't haul anything expensive in a small hauler. Get an Orca. Or at least a fast frigate.

Business report: Thurstday morning 7.8B (0.1B gifts 3 PLEX behind for second account).