Collection and Management of Inert Materials
The collection phase begins when the glow of the rock fragments changes from yellow (requiring a new fracture) to purple (ready for extraction). The operator switches their equipment to Gather mode (Left Alt + Left-click on the ship, Right-click on the Multi-Tool) to deploy a low-power suction tractor beam. Since this system sucks up both valuable ores and inert waste rock, it is crucial to monitor the composition of the targeted fragments to avoid filling the ship’s storage capacity with worthless materials.
Module content
Once the rock has been properly fractured, the mining operation moves on to its second phase: collecting the recoverable fragments. This step requires switching the mode on your tools and maintaining constant vigilance regarding the contents of your hoppers.
Visual identification of harvestable fragments
After the fracturing laser is applied, the rocks break into smaller pieces. The interface on your ship or tool displays the status of these fragments using a specific color-coding system:
- Yellow outline: Indicates that the fragment requires further fragmentation before it can be aspirated.
- Purple outline: Indicates that the fragment has reached the appropriate size and status for direct collection.
Switch to Gather Mode
Collection is not performed using the same beam as fracturing. You must change the emission mode of your equipment to activate the suction tractor beam:
- On mining vehicles and ships: Press Left Alt + Left Click to switch from the fracturing laser to Gather mode.
- On the Manual Multi-Tool: Press the right click to switch modes.
- How it works: Harvest mode generates a low-power suction beam that draws mineral debris directly into the vehicle's tank or hopper.
Capacity Management and Inert Materials
The harvest radius indiscriminately draws in all the matter contained within the targeted fragment.
- Presence of inert materials: Ore deposits are never composed entirely of pure ore. They contain a variable proportion of waste rock known as inert materials.
- Impact on storage: Inert cargo takes up physical space in your ship's hold or tank without providing any significant commercial value.
- Capacity Monitoring: It is necessary to monitor the hold's fill gauge. Collecting ore with a high inert concentration reduces the volume available for high-value ores (such as Quantanium or Hadanite), thereby decreasing the overall profitability of the voyage.
Validation exam
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