Basics

[edit] Belt Mechanics
The best mining in 0.0 comes from Gravimetric sites. These sites only appear in systems when infrastructure upgrades are installed and when the system has been mined 'enough' that the industry index is at a certain level at down time. The sites must be scanned down to be found. (Probing)
Gravimetric belts respawn in one of two ways. Gravimetric belts respawn after they have been emptied of all minerals and after all people have left the belt. Grav belts also respawn at DT after a number of days have passed.
[edit] Where to Mine
As of this writing, TEST has installed industry upgrades in GY5 and VPLL. These are the right places to mine.
[edit] What to Mine
Broadly speaking, local market prices for empire minerals are higher than Jita prices. Local market prices for null-sec minerals are lower than Jita prices. The best ISK to be made is mining null-sec minerals and shipping out to empire for sale. Consequently, Arkonor, Bistot and Crokite have the best ISK/hr return if you are willing to ship. As of this writing, the minerals from a can of Arkonor are worth (approximately) 10m on the Jita market.
[edit] Where to Refine
The GY5 station has refining. Various TEST members with perfect, or nearly perfect, refining skills offer refining services. If your refining is not close to perfect, use of these services will increase your haul. Check the forums under "Services Offered" to find these players.
[edit] Rats
The rat ships in 0.0 can be tough. You need to be ready to warp if you get locked by rats in anything but a tank fit hulk. Covetors and Retrievers go down incredibly fast. Rats will target and quickly kill mining drones.
[edit] Reds
While testagram is out of the way, reds will often show up in system. Always mine with an eye on the surveillance channel. (Standing Orders) Be prepared to warp to POS if reds get close.
[edit] Organization

[edit] TEST Infrastructure
TEST supplies the refinery, the system upgrades and a Mineral Purchasing program. The rest is up to players.
[edit] Fleets
Partly for safety and partly for boosting mechanics, TEST miners will often group up in fleets. Check the fleet finder for fleets operating in GY5 and VPLL.
[edit] Hauling
Miners are responsible for their own hauling. Often miners will make agreements with other players to haul for them. The fee tends to range betweeen 10% and 20% of the ore hauled. Because industrials can be flown with relatively low SP, haulers can often be found in deedeereddit.
[edit] Basic Etiquette
Rocks are free for all.
Tanked rats (rats targeting a combat ship) should not be killed, touched or even targeted.
Tip your booster and tank.
[edit] Communication
There exists a "special" mining forum. You must request to join. There is a new mining channel, "Test Mining Please Ignore", intended for all things mining. Find mining fleets, ask mining questions, or discuss the world of mining. Local and fleet finder have also been ways that miners find other miners and mining fleets.