Quantanium Mining - a "So What" Practical TEST

[Mastersan]

Hi All,

I've been doing some Quantanium mining and wanted to understand what all the refining methods translate into. Having High/Moderate/Low Yield/Cost/Time is OK, but what does it actually mean, e.g. how much is "High Yield" and how long is "Moderate" time, etc. Without understanding the actuals, it is difficult to compare the methods and select the one that suits you.

So, to TEST the above, I have collected a good sample of Quantanium, obtained some in-game data, and did some calculations.

Wanted to share this, as you may find it useful. For example, when it comes to actual time, cost and profit, you may find that while Dinyx Solventation gives you the highest possible profit, Ferron Exchange generates only 2.41% less money, but is 3 times faster, and it's "Moderate" cost isn't actually that much when you look at the big picture, which looks at actual numbers and considers actual yield, cost and time.

I have also found that there is a difference between the quantity displayed on the ship's HUD and Refinery. I wanted to check if the volume of Quantanuim reduces with time, as it loses stability. I have found that the Refinery quantity is less, however, it appears that this is due to rounding, not decay, because other items quantity was also less at the refinery and the difference was 0.01 regardless of cargo volume. I've also noticed that the ship shows 96.01 SCU of cargo, while it should be 96.00 (a bug or a feature?).

Below you will see the calculations and data sorted by various parameters. Also, I'm attaching the in-game screenshots to support the numbers in the calculations.

Hopefully, this helps our mining community.

 

[Mastersan]

Screenshots (continued)

 

[White Lando]

You just wanted to flex about getting 89 scu of quantanium in a MOLE!

Appreciate the breakdown!

 

[Mastersan]

You just wanted to flex about getting 89 scu of quantanium in a MOLE!

That as well If I wanted that, I would have flexed the full 96 SCU

 

[Devil Dog Hog]

Im stupid and lazy . . mostly lazy, but I blame the beer for that (it cant fight back). So whats the most efficient method of mining that rakes in the most profit quickly?

 

[Mastersan]

Im stupid and lazy . . mostly lazy, but I blame the beer for that (it cant fight back). So whats the most efficient method of mining that rakes in the most profit quickly?

Interestingly, for 90 SCU of Quantanium, it appears to be Ferron Exchange, which yields the highest profit in a day-and-a-half. For an extra 2.41% profit it will be Dinyx Solventation (top profit), but you will have to wait almost a week (longest wait).

 

[Raven_King]

That's really interesting - thanks @Mastersan. So what refining method would you choose? It seems to me that if you don't think a (what kind of?) wipe is imminent, you may as well just use Dinyx Solventation and be patient. In the long run, a little extra profit that only costs you some more patience is GREAT ROI. And in the week or so before you expect a wipe that may remove processing/completed refinery jobs, switch to Ferron Exchange?

 

[CosmicTrader]

Great info! Thanks for thius.

 

[Mastersan]

That's really interesting - thanks @Mastersan. So what refining method would you choose? It seems to me that if you don't think a (what kind of?) wipe is imminent, you may as well just use Dinyx Solventation and be patient. In the long run, a little extra profit that only costs you some more patience is GREAT ROI. And in the week or so before you expect a wipe that may remove processing/completed refinery jobs, switch to Ferron Exchange?

Thanks @Raven_King . As you've quite rightly pointed out, I would opt for Dinyx Solventation in most circumstances. I would say that in case a wipe is imminent, mining doesn't really matter, as all your funds will also be wiped. Unless it's a kind of wipe where they let you keep the money.

However, I would use Ferron Exchange if there is something coming up soon and I need some money for it sooner rather than later. For example, there was Xeno Threat event just now, for which you may have wanted to buy a certain combat ship (e.g. you want to buy a Retaliator and you don't own it, and you only have less than 300k in your account). If there is an announcement 1 week in advance and you have limited time, then I may do a few runs with Dinyx Solventation as refining method, but as the event gets closer, I would switch to Ferron Exchange to make sure I have the funds to buy the ship before the event starts. If I find I need some more funds really urgently, I would switch to Pyrometric Chromalysis (15% less profit, but takes just under 1 day), or even to Electrostarolysis (17% less, but only takes half-a-day). It will take less time proportionately to the volume of Quantanium - I've got 90 SCU, therefore the time is extensive.

Also, in the future, there may be other timing factors to consider, such as, for example:

• Refining queues (currently there are none).
• Storage and transportation (e.g. you could store the refined cargo in the space station cargo centre, and for a small fee have it delivered to a place of sale, e.g. Area18, in a heavily escorted Hull E , which only runs once a week and you need to finish the refining in time to get your stuff loaded onto the freighter).
• There may be surcharge per refining method or some methods may not be available on some stations (e.g. the refinery has run out of chemicals, or equipment is broken, etc.), .

 

[GPcustoms]

A brilliant read and the cave man in me thanks you for not making it too complicated
Yet another thread and reason this band of mutants rock