❄️ What Low-Sec Ice Mining Is

Ice belts spawn in 0.1–0.4 security systems.
Same mechanics as high-sec (ice blocks, 4h respawn), but:
- Different ice types (like Krystallos, Gelidus, or Glare Crust) which refine into Hydrogen, Oxygen, Helium, and Nitrogen isotopes, plus Strontium, Ozone, and Heavy Water.
- These isotopes are essential for jump drives and fuel blocks, so low-sec ice has steady buyers.
Unlike high-sec, there’s no CONCORD protection → you’re fair game for pirates.

📊 Why Mine Low-Sec Ice?

✅ Higher ISK/hr than high-sec ice.
✅ Access to rarer isotopes that null blocs need.
✅ Can be sold compressed for excellent hauling efficiency.

⚠️ Extremely dangerous — gankers, roaming gangs, gate camps.
⚠️ Belts are public → pirates know when they respawn.
⚠️ You must bring your own defense, logistics, and intel.

🚀 Ship Choices for Low-Sec Ice

1. Expedition Frigates

Endurance:
- Bonus to ice harvesting cycle time.
- Covert cloak for survival.
- Agile and small — perfect for ninja mining small chunks and escaping.
- Solo pilot’s safest bet.

2. Mining Barges / Exhumers

Skiff: Tankiest option, solid ice yield, drones for defense. Best for low-sec.
Procurer: Budget tanky barge, similar philosophy.
Mackinaw: Good ore hold, but fragile compared to Skiff. Risky solo, better in corp ops.
Hulk: Don’t bring it. Too fragile.

3. Support Ships

Orca: Can boost and compress, but it’s a giant floating loot pinata in low-sec. Only viable if you have corp/alliance control of the system.
Porpoise: Cheaper, faster, weaker Orca. Sometimes used in guerrilla mining ops.
Haulers:
- Blockade Runner (e.g., Viator, Prowler, Crane) → Best hauler for compressed ice. Cloaky, agile, near-impossible to catch.
- DST (Deep Space Transport) → Tanky hauler, good if moving bulk in semi-secure low-sec routes.

🛠 Advanced Fits (Concepts)

Endurance – Ninja Ice Miner

Covert Cloak + Ice Mining Laser II.
Shield tank in mids.
Warp core stab or inertial stabilizers in lows.
Ice Harvester Accelerator rig.
Mining drones for extra yield, light drones for rats.
Playstyle: Warp in cloaked, grab 1–2 cycles, cloak and warp if hostiles appear.

Skiff – Tanky Fleet Ice Miner

2x Ice Harvester II.
Large Shield Extenders + Multispectrum Hardeners in mids.
Damage Control II + Ice Harvester Upgrades in lows.
Core Defense Field Extender rigs.
Combat drones for rat defense.
Playstyle: Anchor near Orca/Porpoise, mine under boosts, rely on tank + fleet for survival.

📦 Logistics & Compression

Compression is essential: Ice is bulky. Compress at a citadel/refinery or Orca.
Hauling strategy:
- Never haul raw ice in a mining ship.
- Use Blockade Runner to carry compressed ice to high-sec.
- DSTs if operating in group/fleet ops with cover.
Staging system: Ideally a citadel/refinery close to the ice belt for on-the-spot compression and safe docking.

🧭 Survival & Efficiency

Intel First: Always have eyes on nearby gates. Join intel channels, watch local like a hawk.
Safe Spots & Tacticals: Bookmark safes around the belt. Warp out instantly if D-scan shows probes or ships.
Stay Aligned: Always mine while aligned to a citadel or gate.
D-Scan Discipline: Refresh every few seconds. Combat probes = leave immediately.
Fleet Tactics:
- Orca/Porpoise on grid with boosts.
- Skiffs/Mackinaws as miners.
- Combat escort (fast tackle + DPS) to chase off hunters.
Ninja Ops (Solo): Endurance cloaks in, harvests a few cycles, cloaks out before locals react. High ISK/hr if you play carefully.

⚔️ Risks & Threats

Small-gang pirates: Fast tackle + DPS will shred a Mackinaw in seconds.
Gate camps: Expect smartbomb BS near ice systems. Cloaky haulers or scouts are mandatory.
Baiters: Some pirates will “look weak” to bait a defense fleet. Don’t bite unless you’re ready.
Structure camping: If your corp owns a refinery, it may get camped during your mining ops.

💰 ISK Expectations

Solo Endurance (ninja ops): ~12–20M ISK/hr (high risk, low volume).
Solo Skiff (unboosted): ~15–25M ISK/hr.
Fleet mining (Orca boosts): 25–40M ISK/hr per pilot.
Corp-controlled low-sec pocket: Higher, since you can mine continuously under protection.

🔑 Advanced Tips

Respawn control: Belts respawn 4h after depletion → controlling depletion with your corp lets you mine on schedule.
Market play: Different isotopes are valuable in different regions (e.g., Nitrogen near Caldari null blocs). Export accordingly.
Compression tax: If using a citadel that’s not yours, check compression fees — they can eat into profits.
Industrial integration: Turning ice into fuel blocks multiplies profits, especially if sold in nullsec staging hubs.
Wormhole shortcuts: Use WH routes to move compressed ice into trade hubs, bypassing gate camps.

✅ In summary:

Solo miners should stick to Endurance ninja ops, grabbing small amounts safely.
Small groups should use Skiffs + Porpoise/Orca, with scouts and combat support.

Advanced – Low-Sec Ice Mining