• OBJECTIVE: Maximise the potential extraction capablities of local mineral resources for mobile mining operations. • ASSIGNED APM PERSONNEL: Damien Mekal • AUDIT: John Garcia • STATUS: 100% Complete
Brief
A self-motivated project from J.Garcia where he is charged with the development of improved mining arrays and techniques to improve APM|s mineral and gas extraction capabilities. This projects primary focus is on the local Azurite gas and Iridium deposits.
Apart from the obvious commercial value, secondary purposes of Project "Copiam" may pave the way for Core to fully exploit these resources in further research and begin locking out other competitors from the Omicron mineral arena.
Outline
Project "Copiam" features the following phases to be completed for the mining arrays to become fully operational:
1. Site Surveys and sample collections - Complete. Both extraction zones need to be surveyed to identify local security issues, mineral abundance, and any environmental anomalies. Small test samples are also to be collected and returned to Alabama for analysis.
2. Recorded extraction efficiency with known civilian mining equipment. - Complete. APM| are to launch mineral extraction operations to verify and report the efficiency of currently available equipment. Experience testers are required as detailed reports of issues faced and potential improvements will need to be of high quality.
3. APM| improvements. - Complete. The civilian class of mining array currently available to us is relatively simple. Light adjustments are to be made in line with information gathered from the aforementioned reports. These are then to be tested in the field once more to give APM a deeper understanding of what direction Copiam needs to go in.
4. External expertise - Complete. Core|APM are not hailed as experts in the field of mineral extraction (yet) and there are others in Sirius who are better suited to this task. Once our prototype mining arrays are functional APM| may reach out to external corporations for further development.
Nota bene: The extraction of both Iridium and Azurite Gas must be out of the sphere of interest for any external corporations used in this project.
5. Complete final prototype - Complete. After the final prototype is a success both records of findings and evidence of extraction efficiency are to be presented to the APM| board with two options
Produce the array exclusively for Core|APM allowing us to attempt to dominate the mineral market.
Mass produce the mining array to be sold as a new industry standard in an attempt to break into the mineral extraction market.
• OBJECTIVE: Survey the mineral zone contain Iridium Ore to identify local security issues, mineral abundance, and any environmental anomalies. Collect and return an ore sample for analysis. • ASSIGNED PERSONNEL:John Garcia • STATUS:Complete
Debrief The route from Alabama to Freeport 10 is already a well documented one, so there is no need to revisit that in this report. The flight from Freeport 10 to Omicron Lost was also mildly uneventful other than the slight presence of light AI drones. ■
As clearly shown they did fire upon the Cognitionis but their weapons seemed rather ineffective. Some among the crew have speculated that these were warning shots rather than an attempt to actually damage the vessel. Unscathed we made our way to Omicron lost via the Jump hole located at the intersection of grid coordinates B, C, 2 and 3 within the Omicron Delta System. ■
Transport via the jump hole was pleasantly surprising. The hole itself appears to be very stable and may make an ideal candidate for a Core controlled Jumpgate in the future. Once arriving in Omicron Lost the Obelisk was within visual range almost instantly. This coupled with the systems central white dwarf make the system incredibly easy to navigate by visuals alone.
Core|APM-Cognitionis on approach to the anomaly
referred to as the Obelisk*
We made our way towards the mineral extraction zone by navigating around the systems native white dwarf to the "the Lachesis Field" located with G, 4 of Omicron Lost. ■
After arriving in the Lachesis Field, the known Iridium rich deposit within the system, we began a short patrol of the surrounding area. The loose small rock formations appear densely around the obelisk and sparingly throughout the rest of field. ■
The Cognitionis, lacking any adequate mining equipment, took longer than expected to obtain the required sample, but a sample was taken back to Alabama nevertheless. ■
Core|APM-Cognitionis with the white dwarf in
sight and guncam aimed towards the Delta Jumphole.
Conclusion
The mineral extraction site is easy to reach and visually stunning. Although tests are yet to be made, the ore appears to be simple to extract and very valuable. The presence and potential warning shots of the light AI craft we encountered is a concern. It is possible that the shots we received were simple warning shots and that increased Core| presence within Omicron Lost may trigger more regular activity from the AI vessels and even potentially damaging consequences. As such no Mustang Technologies agent is to venture into Omicron Lost without an escort, at least until further information regarding the AI presence has come forward.
* A large, imposing asteroid believed to be a remnant of a planetary collision.
Referred to as the Obelisk or humorously "the upside down obelisk" due to its
lengthy shape and being smaller at one end than the other.
• OBJECTIVE: Survey the mineral zone contain Azurite Gas to identify local security issues, mineral abundance, and any environmental anomalies. Collect and return a gas sample for analysis. • ASSIGNED PERSONNEL:John Garcia • STATUS:Complete
Debrief The route from Omicron Rho to gas extraction site was littered with Nomad and Order recon drones and scouts, here you can see a skirmish breakout between a Nomad, Core and Order pilot.
As clearly shown they did fire upon the Cognitionis and at first, the damage output seemed superficial but as we moved closer to the site the nomad presence grew larger and utilized heavier equipment, mines and missiles were seen. The above guncam was taken within the outer edges of the Palau Ice Cloud not many photos were taken during the time spent in the cloud due to combat situations.
Transport to the gas extraction site was hazardous, the Cognitionis's shield was stable throughout the trip but it is advised to not travel their alone due to the increasingly hostile nomad presence the further into the Palau Ice Cloud. A radar interference within the cloud was noticed along with frequent storms that do not align with the current theorised elements within the cloud, however, these flashes didn't appear to create any noticeable effect other than to highlight the massive structures location, size, and shape.
Core|APM-Cognitionis on approach to the anomaly
Illuminated by a storm flash
We made our way towards the mineral extraction zone by navigating by taking a linear route after a short rest and refuel on Yaren the site is located within the Palau Ice Cloud within sectors 3.2 F.C. ■
During our flight through the Ice could it became clear how large this structure is, the attached guncams show a few close up shots of the of the object. Both the exterior and interior appear to be damaged, including small bases on the inside which are mimicked and rotated on either side. Towards the rear of the object, there are four fully functional weapon platforms open fire with effect. ■
With the scarcity of the gas pockets and Cognitionis, lacking any adequate mining equipment, took longer than expected to obtain the required sample, but a sample was taken back to Alabama nevertheless. ■
Core|APM-Cognitionis approaching a breach
within the objects outer shell
Conclusion
Although the site is located a mere jump away from Invicta, the route is riddled with nomad and order encounters, expect heavy resistance and raids should a more permanent mining attempt be made. Heavy escorts are recommended during the travel there and time required to mine, mining time required is expected to be far longer than that of Iridium due to the gas bubbles scarcity. The largest concentration of gas bubbles appear around the objects central column ■
Source: Invicta Research Complex, Omicron Rho
Comm ID: Associate Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
This project has been taken up by myself and the future crew of the Ailuros as we await final completions at Alabama Shipyard. In the meantime, we have contracted the APM transport Remora and its parasite mining vessel Novitas to undertake the task of developing, testing, and finalizing a new prototype mining system.
Initial surveys were made to verify data from previous survey reports undertaken by Mr. Garcia. As expected, this data has not significantly changed, though it should be noted that there is a reported 0.00295% variance in navigational data due to interstellar drift in the vicinity of the Omicron Lost Iridium Field. This variance will be noted in our future stellar cartography reports.
Observational Note:
Crewmen operating the mining vessel Novitas reported difficulty in visually identifying Iridium-laced asteroids and distinguishing them from non-Iridium silicate asteroids. We have developed a new system for improving upon this operational deficiency and will upload it following this report.
Initial mining tests by the Novitas were conducted utilizing standard wide-spectrum mining arrays, specifically the CMT-221 model emitters. These mining arrays are commonly utilized across Sirius by a wide variety of corporations and organizations, and are noted for moderate performance in extracting a wide range of mineral and ore types; versatility over efficiency.
Initial tests show an average range of 2-4 units of viable Iridium per ton of silicate matter processed by the emitter, or a collection efficiency of approximately 25% and a collection rate of roughly 17-24 units per second, with time variance allotted for asteroid drift and concentration. This efficiency extrapolates to an average of 73,000 units per hour.
Over the course of the past three days, coinciding with the influx of Iridium required by Alabama shipyard for future construction projects - which, might I note, was a perfect opportunity to experiment and test our mining systems - the Novitas' mining arrays were repeatedly adjusted and refocused to maximize mining efficiency and speed specifically for Iridium Ore. It should be noted that these improvements will not readily translate to the collection of other substances, as Iridium is a uniquely reactive material with different properties from other commonly mined minerals.
Following these tests, our engineering specialist - Marcus Greele - was able to design a prototype emitter which incorporates the very specific wavelengths and focusing points necessary to maximize operational efficiency when separating natural-state Iridium from the surrounding silicate matter and other undesirable elements. More specifically, this design utilizes the same basic central collection array of the CMT-221, but removes the ring of centralized emitters in favor of a wide emission, narrow focus arrangement. Greele's design allows the emission beam to fully encompass the target debris and flash-vaporize less desirable elements, which have a far lower reaction point than the more resilient Iridium ore. This process leaves behind only 100% pure, fully filtered Iridium for the collection array to pull in.
We've dubbed this prototype the Variable-Focus Mining Array, as the inclusion radius of the emitters is much wider than standard CTM-221 arrays, and thus can be adjusted and refocused in real-time much more easily. In the future we will endeavor to appropriate the focusing array details necessary for similar operation when mining other forms of minerals and alloys, it is entirely possible that APM may redistribute this design to other corporations with preloaded focusing parameters for specific ores. A vast profit might be made selling this system to mining and manufacturing firms throughout Sirius.
In regards to mining efficiency increases, the Variable-Focus Mining Array - when tuned in to Iridium parameters - offers a collection efficiency of just over 31%, and a collection rate of 26-31 units per second, resulting in an average of nearly 100,000 units per hour; an approximate 25% increase in efficiency and collection rate over the standard CMT-221. During the course of the Iridium Rush, our collection rates skyrocketed upon implementing the new prototype arrays, and the Novitas transitioned from struggling to meet the supply needs of our convoys to easily being able to support them.
Operational Addendum:
As noted previously, operators aboard the Novitas mining vessel - upon beginning operations in the Omicron Lost Iridium Fields - immediately recognized a deficiency in their abilities due to the low-light environment and non-visible emissions of Iridium ore compared to most other mined substances. Iridium, in its inert state and combined with nonreactive silicates, blends seamlessly into the background environment, and is difficult to quickly and efficiently recognize in mining operations. Due to this, Iridium collection rate was heavily reduced during our first collection tests.
Working with our resident Geology and Survey specialist, Conrad Schneider, a solution to this problem was quickly discovered and implemented aboard the Novitas. Natural Iridium has a very low atomic decay rate, and bombarding the Iridium fields with L/B-Spectrum Radiation pulses slightly speeds up that decay rate, enough so that minimal mass is lost while producing a brief, visible glow in surface Iridium deposits. The Novitas' utility spotlights were replaced with Conical L/B Source emitters, and a portion of drive core surplus power was rerouted to these emitters in order to produce frequent microsecond-duration pulses. Further adjustments to pulse frequency and duration allowed the Novitas to sustain a forward arc of L/B Radiation emissions which caused the Iridium deposits to glow a persistent cyan-color as a byproduct of atomic degeneration.
This simple implementation drastically improved the work speed and efficiency of the Novitas' mining operations, and was done with readily available components. I believe that we should push this modification out to all of our Iridium mining assets as quickly as possible, as it is a low-cost way to substantially increase production rates.
Project Summary
The prototype developed by Greele is easy to replicate, and schematics will be uploaded to Alabama Shipyard to allow fabrication to begin immediately. The Remora and Novitas will be requisitioned tomorrow to begin similar studies regarding the Azurite Reactor in Omicron Delta - it is entirely possible that this same prototype may be just as useful there, once appropriate parameters are recorded and implemented to the mining arrays.
Source: Invicta Research Complex, Omicron Rho
Comm ID: Associate Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Pairing once more with the crew of the Remora and Novitas, we've undertaken studies of the Azurite Reactor in Omicron Delta with the goal of maximizing collection efficiency. It should be noted that collection of Azurite gas differs significantly in equipment and process than standard mining operations - or even other forms of gas mining. I reached out to some of my contacts in Kishiro and the Gas Miner's Guild for their insight into this substance, and theories on how to collect it efficiently.
It should first be said that Azurite itself is relatively unremarkable. What makes the gas valuable is an inherent ability to gather and store various forms of energy with little to no loss. Some of my associates in the LSF at Kodiak Research Station have experimented with Azurite in the past, so I'm not unfamiliar with it, and it was concluded that the substance would be most logically utilized in the form of biomechanical hybrid power transfer systems. Energy stored in an Azurite particle cloud maintains zero loss until utilized, making it several magnitudes more efficient in powering weapon capacitors, reactor cold start assemblies, shield batteries, and high energy drain technologies such as hyperspace modules and cloaking devices.
Initial survey of the Azurite Reactor reveals a combination of recognized Daam K'vosh technology, quite similar to many structures and excavated objects found on Nauru, as well as signs of Nomad organic integration. As near as I can tell, the reactor itself draws in micro-organisms living in the edge nebula, collecting and compressing them into a high-energy conduit at the center of the reactor, where the organisms themselves are flash-vaporized. These organisms naturally contain trace amounts of Azurite gas collected from the nebula - most likely as a food source - and once vaporized leave behind a small, bright orb of highly energized and cohesive Azurite gas.
In theory, it may be possible to re-create this system, on a much smaller scale, which could allow us to create Azurite from the nebula ourselves; however the primary hurdle would be matching the power output of the reactor itself. It appears the Reactor is powered by subatomic forces present in the nebula itself, utilizing a vast conductive surface area to absorb and funnel power to the reactor core. The amount energy created and channeled by the Reactor dwarfs even the capabilities of the Ingenuus Research Group's power cells.
In stark contrast to the Iridium mining project, Azurite is bright and immediately visible against the background chamber of the reactor. The interior of the chamber is a highly volatile environment, with radiation levels spiking each time a new Azurite cluster is formed in the conduit. Collision with these clusters is also extremely dangerous, as the amount of energy contained within each orb of free-floating Azurite gas is enough to incinerate a small ship. The crew of the Novitas took additional precautions to map the drift of each cluster, endeavoring to avoid such incidents.
Collection of Azurite, as well, requires a different set of tools. Due to its volatile nature and precarious stability, utilizing traditional mining arrays such as the CMT-221 models causes the cluster to erupt, leaving behind very little salvageable material. Efficiency levels were extremely low when testing these mining arrays with Azurite, resulting in negative returns for the mining operation.
Extensive surveys and scans were conducted on the Azurite clusters to discern the best way to approach collection. Each cluster, upon closer inspection, consists of a highly energized and dense core, with a negative ionic charge. The thin outer sphere containing the core is comprised of a less dense field of Azurite particles with a positive charge. Azurite acts, in many ways, like a non-newtonian fluid: the outer shell, while being gaseous in nature, is "hardened" against ion particles from the core attempting to escape, while simultaneously allowing any energy applied from outside the sphere to pass through and further excite the core. This unique property is the exact reason standard mining arrays interact negatively with the cluster; adding too much additional energy to the Azurite core causes it to overwhelm the containment shell, leading to an imbalance of charges and subsequent eruption.
Taking these properties into account, my engineer Marcus Greele modified our previously-designed variable-focus mining array, tuning it to the specific properties of Azurite. The mining array, with these parameters set, is capable of extracting energy from the core and shell simultaneously and at a precisely controlled rate of exchange, until the energy content of the cluster is low enough to collect without dispersing the gas particles.
This modification is not without its own deficiencies, however; without its high energy content, Azurite gas becomes far less viable as a resource, unable to maintain its form and function. Marcus was, however, able to prototype a gas collector capable of withstanding slightly more energized Azurite than traditional containment systems. Further modifications to the variable-focus mining array were made, allowing for mid-level energized gas to be extracted and stored in the Azurite collector. This solution is far from perfect, but allows an unprecedented rate of collection and storage compared to any previously undertaken operations.
While relatively crude in design, Greele's collection system has proven efficient. The device utilizes an electromagnetic collection conduit, drawing Azurite gas into a shielded chamber for compression and storage. It should be noted that this system could drastically improve the Gas Miner Guild's efficiency in collecting Helium-3, despite being a less volatile substance. It is my recommendation that diplomatic channels be opened up to the GMG to ascertain their willingness to purchase such equipment from AP Manufacturing, and whether or not such a business partnership would be profitable for us.
Following the operation at the Azurite Reactor, the Remora and Novitas were joined by the Areion, and the three ships together hauled a total of 8,760 units of collected Azurite Gas back to Invicta Research Complex in Omicron Rho. While the results of this operation did not entirely meet my expectations and standards, I believe that our ability to collect Azurite has reached its peak, and I expect further testing from outside sources will reveal as much.
Following results and finalization of the design, my informal recommendation is to mass-produce and market the Variable-Focus Mining Arrays, while keeping AP Manufacturing in complete control of parameter assignment. Mining industries throughout Sirius would be required to purchase the arrays from us, as well as field-specific mining parameters in order to utilize the arrays for their needs. Of course, with twice the profit comes twice the work, and we would have to assign survey vessels to various mining locales around the sector in order to obtain proper parameters for each resource type.
The Azurite Gas Collectors, however, should remain a restricted product to the Core and APM. Azurite is, in my professional opinion, too valuable and too dangerous to allow other organizations to gain access to it. There are extensive fields that it may be utilized in, vastly improving the potency of the Core fleet and giving it a technological edge against its enemies. My research vessel, the Ailuros, is nearly ready for launch, and I intend to look further into Azurite as a technological component once we're underway; the vessel will make a suitable testbed platform for any advanced Azurite-based technologies we develop prior to their implementation to the Core.
Source: Invicta Research Complex, Omicron Rho
Comm ID: Associate Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Results from the Ingenuus Research Group and Deep Space Engineering have been received, and extrapolated into fine-tuning for the Variable Focus Mining Arrays. We would have preferred a larger test group, but Samura and Kishiro could not be reached for participation.
Iridium tuning was relatively easy, as expected. Minor adjustments in beam dispersion and laser throttle were made to maximize collection efficiency and minimize unwanted burn off. It should be a relatively simple matter to adjust the arrays from this baseline for collection of any platinum-family transition metals. Other forms of ore will need more intensive study and fine tuning to effectively utilize the arrays, which we can accomplish on a case-by-case basis as contracts with mining firms are made.
Azurite collection, again as expected, was more tedious to fine-tune. Azurite absorbs energy readily, so dispersion from its containment organisms must be done via accuracy as opposed to brute force. Siphoning of the gas, via the Azurite gas collector, is a simple matter once the gas is free-floating. Targeting systems were reprogrammed from the ground up to maximize efficiency here, with a new algorithm written to calculate precise motion of an Azurite cluster and relay information directly to the mining array.
Overall, a solid 25% increase in efficiency has been gained over traditional mining methods. The new systems are quicker, cleaner, and use less power than what is currently in widespread use. It's time we have APM take this system Sirius-wide, if we can convince the mining corporations to upgrade their equipment we could make a substantial profit from it.
![[+]](/forums/images/collapse_collapsed.png "[+]")
Surveys
The route from Alabama to Freeport 10 is already a well documented one, so there is no need to revisit that in this report. The flight from Freeport 10 to Omicron Lost was also mildly uneventful other than the slight presence of light AI drones.
![[Image: XyF9zD2.png]](https://i.imgur.com/XyF9zD2.png)
The route from Omicron Rho to gas extraction site was littered with Nomad and Order recon drones and scouts, here you can see a skirmish breakout between a Nomad, Core and Order pilot.
We made our way towards the mineral extraction zone by navigating by taking a linear route after a short rest and refuel on Yaren the site is located within the Palau Ice Cloud within sectors 3.2 F.C.
![[Image: UR0gSpy.png]](https://i.imgur.com/UR0gSpy.png)
![[Image: YIzA476.png]](http://i.imgur.com/YIzA476.png)
![[Image: Tenacity.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Tenacity.gif)
