Mining

{{disambiguation|the weapon|mine}}
{{article quote|I'm a doctor, not a coal miner.|Leonard McCoy on ''not'' mining|2268|The Empath}}
'''Mining''' was the process of extracting resources, usually [[mineral]], from bodies like [[planet]]s and [[asteroid]]s. Mining operations were an important part of the economy of civilizations throughout [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]].

==Earth and United Earth==
The [[United States of America|American]] town of [[Carbon Creek]] operated a mine in the [[1950s]]. ({{ENT|Carbon Creek}}) At some point a mine shaft was constructed near the [[Presidio]] in [[San Francisco]]. ({{TNG|Time's Arrow, Part II}})

By [[2024]] [[Human]]s had begun to mine the sea floor on [[Earth]]. ({{DS9|Past Tense, Part I}})

[[United Earth]] operated off-world mining [[colonies]], including the [[Orpheus Mining colony]] on the [[Luna|moon]], a private business set up by [[John Frederick Paxton]]'s father. These facilities often did not have [[artificial gravity]], as it was not practical. ({{ENT|Demons}}) In [[2154]], [[Starfleet]] briefly secured an alliance with [[Harrad-Sar]] for mining a planet rich in [[magnesite]], but this proved to be a scam. ({{ENT|Bound}})

==Mining in the Federation==
===23rd century===
By the [[23rd century]], the [[Federation]] operated several large mining colonies. Some people even spent the majority of their lives underground in mines. For example, the mining operation on [[Janus VI]] discovered some of the richest deposits of many sought-after [[ore]]s in all of the Federation, including [[uranium]], [[cerium]], [[platinum]], and [[pergium]]. ({{TOS|The Empath|The Devil in the Dark}})

The Federation member world [[Ardana]] was the only known source of [[zenite]]. A [[lithium]] mine was located on [[Rigel XII]]. ({{TOS|The Cloud Minders|Mudd's Women}})

The Federation also mined non-member planets through concessions. In [[2267]], the Federation competed with the [[Klingon Empire]] for the right to mine recently discovered supplies of [[topaline]] on [[Capella IV]]. In the end, the mining rights went to the Federation. A request to mine the [[Halkan]] homeworld, however, was disapproved by the Halkans. ({{TOS|Friday's Child|Mirror, Mirror}})
{{bginfo|In the mirror universe the [[Terran Empire]] intended to mine the planet nonetheless.}}

The [[Merchant Marine]] sometimes performed geological surveys for mining companies, for example on [[Alpha Carinae II]]. ({{TOS|The Ultimate Computer}}) [[Crime|Criminals]] could be sentenced to mining [[borite]] for the rest of their lives. ({{film|4}})

Despite the major role of mining in the Federation, founding member {{dis|Vulcan|planet}} had no mining interests in the [[2360s]]. Mining disputes were a major factor in the admission of [[Coridan]] to the Federation. [[Vulcan]] [[Ambassador]] [[Sarek]] accused the [[Tellarite]]s of conducting illegal mining operations on the planet. ({{TOS|Journey to Babel}}) 

===24th century===
By the [[24th century]], Federation starships like the {{Class|Intrepid}} were often autonomous enough to extract materials they needed themselves. Nonetheless, mining continued to be important for the Federation. Among the diplomatic training scenarios on the {{USS|Voyager}} was a mining dispute. ({{VOY|Q2}})

In [[2364]], an accident devastated a mining operation on [[Quadra Sigma III]]. ({{TNG|Hide and Q}}).

A mine on [[Dytallix B]], exploited by the [[Dytallix Mining Company]], was abandoned at some point before 2364.({{TNG|Conspiracy}})

In [[2369]], [[Doctor]] [[Farallon]] was attempting to develop a radical new method of mining on [[Tyrus VII]] called the [[Particle Fountain Project]]. ({{TNG|The Quality of Life}})

In the [[2370s]], [[sulfur]] mines existed on one of [[Jupiter]]'s moons. ({{VOY|Life Line}}).

By [[2378]], many [[EMH Mark I]]s were re-purposed for [[dilithium]] mining. ({{VOY|Author, Author}})

Between the discovery of the [[Bajoran Wormhole]] and the beginning of the [[Dominion War]], the Federation also started mining operations in the [[Gamma Quadrant]].

In [[2372]], a Vulcan expedition mining [[bakrinium]] in the Gamma Quadrant discovered remnants of the [[Hur'q]] [[civilization]]. ({{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}})

In early [[2373]], {{Captain}} [[Benjamin Sisko]] led a team to the Gamma Quadrant planet [[Torga IV]] to see if the [[cormaline]] was worth mining. ({{DS9|The Ship}})

[[Quatal Prime]] had a lucrative mining operation in 2373. ({{DS9|For the Uniform}})

The [[Reman]] homeworld of [[Remus]] had numerous dilithium mines. ({{film|10}})

==Klingon Empire==
The Federation believed over mining of [[Praxis]] was the cause of its spectacular destruction. The Empire also maintained dilithium mines on [[Rura Penthe]]. ({{film|6}}).

Klingons were known to employ morally questionable practices from time to time. In the [[2150s]] a [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant planets#Deuterium mining colony|deuterium mining colony]] operated by an [[Tessic's species|unknown species]] was intimidated by a Klingon crew into giving them part of its deuterium each year. ({{ENT|Marauders}}).

In [[2370]], the [[Duras sisters]] illegally mined a rich [[Magnesite]] deposit in the [[Kalla system]], which was under [[Pakled]] control. ({{TNG|Firstborn}})

==Cardassian Union==
During the [[24th century]], the [[Cardassian Union]] devolved into fascism after resources on [[Cardassia Prime]] were depleted, and decided to [[Occupation of Bajor|occupy]] [[Bajor]] so that it could be intensively mined. They employed [[strip mining]] and changed the course of the [[Glyrhond River]] to assist their mining operations. Also, a mining accident at [[Gallitep]] fostered an outbreak of [[Kalla-Nohra Syndrome]] on the planet. ({{DS9|The Storyteller|Duet|Indiscretion}})

Mining rights were a talking point in peace treaty negotiations between the Cardassian Union and Bajor in [[2371]]. ({{DS9|Life Support}})

[[Volan III]], a Federation colony where mining occurred, was turned over to Cardassia under the [[Federation-Cardassian Treaty]]. The {{dis|Raymond Boone|Cardassian| Cardassian agent}} who assumed [[Raymond Boone]]'s identity operated a [[ladarium]] [[mining]] [[sluice]] on the planet. ({{DS9|Tribunal}})

In the [[mirror universe]], [[Dahkur Province]] was the site of a mining operation. ({{DS9|Resurrection}})

== Other mining operations ==
[[File:Malurian mining equipment.jpg|thumb|Malurian mining equipment]]
[[File:Archer watches Malurian miner.jpg|thumb|The Malurian mining station]]
The [[Malurian]]s were secretly mining the [[Akaali homeworld]] for [[veridium]] [[isotope]] using drilling equipment saturated with [[tetracyanate 622]]. The mining team was led by [[Garos]], who was disguised as an [[Akaali]] [[shopkeeper]] most of the time. The entrance to the mine was accessed through a secret [[stairwell]] in Garos' [[curio shop]]. ({{ENT|Civilization}})

By the [[22nd century]] the [[Tellarite Mining Consortium]] was engaged in mining [[firesalt]]. They operated [[freighter]]s to transport the mineral. In [[2153]] the freighter ''[[Tezra]]'' was captured while hauling a load of firesalt near Klingon [[space]]. ({{ENT|Bounty}})  Also during the 22nd century an [[Andorian Mining Consortium]] may or may not have existed. ({{ENT|Proving Ground}})

[[Vulcan]] had a mining agreement with Coridan in [[2151]]. ({{ENT|Shadows of P'Jem}})

The [[Paraagan]]s operated a mining colony at [[Paraagan II]]. ({{ENT|Shockwave}})

In [[2153]] the {{EnterpriseNX|Enterprise}} visited a [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant planets#Trellium mining planet|trellium mining planet]] in the [[Delphic Expanse]] which was operated by thirty-one different species. ({{ENT|The Xindi}})

By the 24th century the [[Romulan Star Empire]] was dependent on dilithium mining on Remus. ({{film|10}}) They also used large [[mining vessel]]s such as the ''[[Narada]]'' for spacefaring operations. ({{film|11}})

There was a mining operation on [[Koralis III]] that had been abandoned by [[2375]]. ({{DS9|Chimera}}) The [[Tigan family]] ran a large pergium mining operation in the [[Sappora system|Sapporo]] [[star system|system]]. ({{DS9|Prodigal Daughter}}) [[Telfas Prime]] also had a mining community. ({{VOY|Alliances}})

===Delta Quadrant===
Countless mining colonies were operated by many species across the [[Delta Quadrant]]. Often trade with these colonies proved invaluable for the {{USS|Voyager}} during its odyssey through the quadrant. For example, in [[2372]] ''Voyager'' acquired needed materials from a mining colony on [[Hemikek IV]], the rights to which were owned by a consortium of non-aggressive people. ({{VOY|Investigations}})

At the border of the [[Nekrit Expanse]] was a support outpost for mining and trading ships. A [[map]] dealer on the station sold coordinate charts for all the local mining colonies. ({{VOY|Fair Trade}})

The [[Talaxian]]s were also active in mining. [[Neelix]] worked at a mining colony for some time. The Talaxians also operated a mining colony on [[Prema II]]. Additionally, a group of aliens targeted a [[Talaxian asteroid colony]] for mining in [[2378]], forcing the residents to fight them off. ({{VOY|Blood Fever|Basics, Part II|Homestead}})

[[Automated Personnel Unit]]s created by the [[Pralor]] [[species]] used [[asteroid mining pod]]s to mine asteroids. ({{VOY|Prototype}})

A [[Sakari]] mining colony in the [[Nekrit Expanse]] was attacked by the [[Borg]] some point before [[2373]]. Afterward, the miners decided to retreat into the mines, hiding their society. ({{VOY|Blood Fever}})

A [[Garan]] mining colony was infected by [[macrovirus]]es in [[2373]]. ({{VOY|Macrocosm}}) A [[Telsius Prime mining colony|colony]] on [[Telsius Prime]] served as a [[bolomite]] mine. ({{VOY|Live Fast and Prosper}}) An unnamed [[class Y planet]] was governed by the [[Ord'mirit Mining Treaty]]. ({{VOY|Course: Oblivion}})

The [[Gammadan Mining Facility]] suffered an accident in [[2377]]. ({{VOY|Critical Care}}) A [[Nuu'Bari]] mining consortium made use of [[Hologram Nuu'Bari 000|holograms]], which brought them into conflict with [[Iden]] and his [[Iden's Rebellion|followers]]. ({{VOY|Flesh and Blood}}) On the Bronze Age planet of the [[Takarian]]s, trade in mining [[futures]] existed. ({{VOY|False Profits}})

[[The Waters]], an artificial [[planetoid]] composed entirely of [[water]], was at last report being gradually destroyed by the mining plants of its inhabitants, the [[Monean]]s. ({{VOY|Thirty Days}})

== Mined materials ==
*[[Bakrinium]]
*[[Bolomite]]
*[[Cerium]]
*[[Cormaline]]
*[[Deuterium]]
*[[Dilithium]]
*[[Firesalt]]
*[[Gallicite]]
*[[Iridium]]
*[[Ladarium]]
*[[Magnesite]]
*[[Pergium]]
*[[Platinum]]
*[[Topaline]]
*[[Uranium]]
*[[Vokaya]]
*[[Zenite]]

== See also ==
*[[Miner]]
*[[Mining rights]]
*[[Mining colony]]
*[[Mines of Mercury]]
*[[Dytallix Mining Company]]
*[[Fractioning tower]]
*[[Gouge mining]]

== External link ==
* {{wikipedia}}

[[de:Mine (Bergbau)]]
[[Category:Geology]]