🌌 What Are Low-Sec Ore Anomalies?
- Unlike asteroid belts, ore anomalies are cosmic anomalies (warpable without probes).
- They spawn in systems and contain rarer ores than high-sec (Hedbergite, Hemorphite, Jaspet, Dark Ochre, Gneiss, Spodumain, etc.).
- Sometimes you’ll also find combat rats guarding them.
- Respawn: 24h after despawn.
Key difference: Low-sec anomalies are unguarded by CONCORD. You’re on your own (or with your corp).
📊 Why Mine in Low-Sec?
✅ Access to mid-tier ores that are worth more than high-sec Veldspar/Scordite.
✅ Some ores (e.g., Gneiss, Spodumain) are important for null-sec industry, making them lucrative exports.
✅ Less competition compared to high-sec moons.
⚠️ BUT: You are a prime PvP target. Expect roaming pirates, gatecamps, and smartbombing battleships.
🛠 Ships & Fits for Low-Sec Anomaly Mining
You want a balance of yield, agility, and tank. The “AFK Hulk” mindset doesn’t work here — survival > yield.
1. Expedition Frigates (Prospect, Endurance)
- Best for ninja-mining: cloakable, agile, can warp off fast.
- Prospect = covert cloak + decent ore hold.
- Endurance = best for ice, less useful for anomalies.
- Solo miners’ choice when you expect danger.
2. Mining Barges / Exhumers
- Procurer / Skiff → tanky, harder to gank, but low yield.
- Retriever / Mackinaw → big ore hold, but easy prey.
- Covetor / Hulk → yield monsters, but very fragile (bad idea unless fleet-supported).
- Use only if you have fleet support (Orca/logistics/scouts).
3. Support Ships
- Orca → can boost fleets in low-sec, but cannot use Industrial Core (no panic module like Rorqual). A fat, expensive target. Only worth it in well-defended corp ops.
- Porpoise → Like an orca and can boost, less tanky but warps faster.
- Blockade Runners / DSTs → essential for hauling ore safely back to high-sec or a citadel.
⚔️ Fitting Philosophy (Survival First)
- High slots: Modulated Strip Miner II (with crystals for anomaly ores) OR Deep Core Miner if targeting Mercoxit (rare in some low-sec anomalies).
- Mids:
- Survey Scanner II (so you don’t waste cycles).
- Shield extenders + hardeners (for tank).
- Cloak (on frigates / some barges with rigs).
- Lows:
- Damage Control II (life saver in PvP).
- Mining Laser Upgrades II (if you can afford to sacrifice tank).
- Rigs:
- Core Defense Field Extenders (for EHP).
- Warp Core Optimizers (on ninja frigates).
- Drones:
- 5x Mining Drones II (if safe).
- 5x Combat Drones (Warrior II for killing rats, fastest response).
🧭 Hunting Anomalies
- Use Agency window (F10 → Agency → Resource Harvesting) to find ore anomalies in a given system.
- Scout first with a fast ship or alt — don’t warp your barge blind into low-sec.
- Bookmark safe spots and bounce points near the anomaly.
- Always check local chat — pirates will show up.
🛡 Survival & Risk Management
- Always align to a safe station or gate while mining — you can warp instantly if danger appears.
- D-Scan discipline: Constantly refresh directional scanner for combat probes, combat ships.
- Never AFK mine. A solo hunter can land and tackle you in under 10 seconds.
- Hauling strategy:
- Don’t haul raw ore in a barge. Compress it in a citadel/Orca, then use Blockade Runner to transport.
- DSTs (Deep Space Transports) are viable for larger runs, but slower.
- Intel channels: If your corp/alliance has an intel network, use it to spot roaming fleets.
💰 Profitability
- Solo Expedition Frigate (Prospect): 15–25M ISK/hr depending on ore and safety.
- Solo Procurer/Skiff: 20–35M ISK/hr, safer but slower hauling.
- Fleet Mining (Orca boosts): 40–60M ISK/hr per pilot, but requires scouts and logistics.
🔑 Advanced Tips
- Cloak/Mine Trick: On a Prospect, you can mine → cloak when danger is near → wait it out.
- Jetcan Mining (fleet only): Drop ore into a can, hauler picks it up. Dangerous solo (ore thieves / bait).
- Cyno Bait: Some corps use miners as bait for PvP fleets. Be cautious if joining public mining groups.
- System Selection: Choose low-traffic low-sec pockets (dead ends with 1–2 entry gates). Avoid main pipes.
✅ In summary:
- Solo miner → Use a Prospect, stay cloaky, haul small but safe.
- Small group → Use tankier barges (Procurer/Skiff) with a hauler alt.
- Large corp op → Orca boosts, scouts, hauling chain. Huge profit but high attention required.