Even If you have just gotten started playing EVE Online, you are already probably aware of the existence of EVE Online ore. Mining for ore is one of the best ways to get ahead in this complicated, versatile game, and you'll find that with just a little bit of work and some basic information under your belt that you'll be in good shape to understand ore, it's place in EVE Online, and how you can make the ore you mine work the best for you!
The first thing to be aware of is that ore is a basic material that can be found in the asteroid fields that you will encounter in EVE. There are various types of ores, but they are unusable until they have been refined into the minerals that compose them, much like mining in real life. The minerals that result can be very valuable when it comes to things like the manufacture of ships and weapons, and this is how you can get a lot of money through this endeavor.
When you go looking for ore, remember that you want to start off in an area that has fewer than 60 pilots using it. You'll find that competition can be fierce, and when you are starting out, you might need to in a quieter area to make the most of your opportunity. Try to make sure that you are mining in an area that has a refinery nearby; as soon as your hold is full, make sure that you get the ore refined and taken in for ISK, the game's currency, as soon as possible!
When you are looking at ore, the best rule to keep in mind regarding whether the ore you've found is valuable is that the closer it is to A in the alphabet, the more valuable it will be. There are exceptions to this rule, but you'll find that it generally holds true. Also remember that the more valuable the ore, the less you will need of it to refine an amount of mineral that will net you a good profit. It is also fair to say the the more exotic and valuable ore will require some traveling to get to.
The most valuable and sought after type of ore is Arkonor, which can be refined at 200 ore units. There is a great deal of competition for this ore, and it takes some serious searching and work to come up with an amount that can easily be refined. Veldespar is the easiest ore to find, but if you are just getting started, this is a great way to learn about mining and what you can do with it while still netting yourself a tidy amount money.
Take some time to learn about the ores, particularly if you are planning to make mining your profession, and you'll find that there are plenty of ways that you can prosper!
