This is recording of Professor en Thielle’s lecture for a high school in the Federation Logistics Support Station – Mirilene that was broadcast by holo remotely. Ever since DED declared her still dead, and to be arrested on sight (curious that it’s not a kill on sight, but simply detain alive…), Professor en Thielles has carefully avoided high-sec, and even low-sec, as the risk of capture is too great.
How she managed to slip through their grasp in the move from Deklein to Etherium Reach is curious…
Edoualian Delassi, Research Assistant to Professor Gerret Nagachaux, Caille University – Bourynes
What is Arkonor
Arkonor is a toxic and radioactive ore found only in certain areas of null-sec known for it’s faintly red-orange sheen and crystalline shape when the ore pokes out of the slag rock comprising the asteroid. It is, however, the best resource in all of New Eden for the mineral Megacyte, and yields a decent amount of Mexellon and Tritanium. This also makes it one of the most useful types of ore to harvest.
As a regular rock ore, the skills needed to mine it are minimal. A normal mining laser or strip miner on a basic ship that can fit these modules, and a decent sized ore hold, is all that’s needed.
Rarity
The real problem surrounding Arkonor is finding it.
Arkonor is only found in null-sec (security rating 0.0 and lower) and then only in certain parts of null-sec. At the time of this lecture, it was found only in areas of space nominally claimed by only three of the major factions – Amarr, Gallente, and Minmatar. It is not found in the Caldari part of null-sec for reasons we haven’t actually figured out yet.
The other issue is that it’s not always found in a regular asteroid belt but instead in the rare and difficult to find ‘mining anomalies’ that sometimes aren’t always present leading researchers to believe that arkonor is an ore found only from comets originating in systems we haven’t discovered yet and then only passing through certain systems (**comets are the prevailing scientific theory as to the origin of various mining anomalies).
What Are the Risks Inherent in Mining This Ore?
Compared to Mercoxit, the risk isn’t as high. However, like Mercoxit, the area of space the ore is found in is not covered or supported CONCORD. If a miner of Arkonor runs into trouble with piracy, there is absolutely zero help coming from CONCORD. However, in most cases, miners are supported by a fleet of the so-called “sovereign alliances” and coalitions of capsuleers and New Eden citizens who were disenfranchised by the actions or policies of the four primary factions (Amarr, Gallente, Caldari, Minmatar) who moved out to these new factions – the alliances controlled by capsuleers – to carve out their own lives in these previously lawless spaces. As such, a call for help will often result in a large and powerful fleet of ships ready to help a mining fleet in the case of piracy or other enemy factions.
Miners who are “claim jumping” will also find the same fleet breathing down their necks, so to speak, but claim jumpers know their risks and they don’t need to be stated here.
What is Arkonor Used For?
As I touched on before, Arkonor yields three minerals: Megacyte, Mexellon, and Tritanium. All of these ores are used almost everywhere, particularly Tritanium. These minerals can be used in anything from ship building, both basic and advanced ships, to components, stations, and even planetary bases, moon bases to regular household items such as forks and spoons. While the ore itself is toxic, once processed these properties are also harvested from the slag and the minerals — and anything from those minerals — is then safe to use.
Theories on the Origin of Arkonor
I will have to touch on the possible origins of Arkonor, and other mining anomaly related ores, for another day as it is a topic by itself.
If there are any questions, I will begin taking them now… ah, yes, you in the left side of the room near the door…
**recording ends**
References:
Staring at Asteroids 