Mining in Star Citizen involves three essential stages: Scanning, Fracturing, and Extraction.
Firstly, Scanning helps identify rocks and evaluate their value. Ships equipped with the necessary gear can emit a pulse to detect these rocks, though it also exposes your location to nearby ships. Once in mining mode, targeting a rock enables the analysis of its composition, resistance, and instability, thus helping assess the risk and reward.
Secondly, Fracturing requires skill. The objective is to break large rocks into smaller, valuable pieces without causing an explosion. To achieve this, the mining laser’s throttle must be adjusted to raise the rock’s energy level just enough to fracture it. Additionally, the ship’s HUD provides key meters, including Energy Transfer, Laser Throttle, and Overcharge Sensors, to guide you through the process.
Finally, Extraction involves collecting valuable resources from fractured rocks. For instance, rocks highlighted in purple are ready for extraction, whereas larger yellow rocks need further fracturing before they can be extracted. Consequently, the extraction process becomes more efficient and optimized.