- Sell Ores efficiently by matching gems, raw minerals, and refined cargo to the correct terminal.
- Gem sales use Admin Office terminals at major settlements and other listed trading locations.
- Raw ore can be sold at refinery terminals when fast aUEC matters more than maximum value.
- Refined materials are generally routed to city commodity terminals or trade divisions.
- Route planning reduces travel time, cargo risk, and unnecessary landing or docking steps.
Sell Ores in Star Citizen: Choose the Right Market
Sell Ores decisions begin with identifying what is actually stored in your backpack, ROC, mining vehicle, or ship. Gems, unrefined minerals, and processed ore do not always use the same selling point. Choosing the wrong terminal can make a profitable run feel inefficient, especially after a long mining session.
The simplest rule is to sell small gemstone loads through an Admin Office terminal, move raw ship cargo to a refinery terminal when you need quick liquidity, and deliver refined materials to a city trade terminal. Your cargo state determines the best route more than the planet where you mined it.
Gems
- Best terminal: Admin Office
- Sell from a backpack or ROC
- Useful for compact, personal mining loads
Raw Minerals
- Best terminal: Refinery sales terminal
- Sell directly from a ship in the hangar
- Faster turnaround with reduced payout
Refined Ore
- Best terminal: City commodity market
- Sell processed cargo from your ship
- Better suited to prepared trading routes
| Cargo Type | Recommended Selling Point | Select From | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gems | Admin Office terminal | Backpack or ROC | Convenient for small loads |
| Unrefined ore | Refinery terminal | Ship in the hangar | Quick aUEC turnaround |
| Refined materials | City commodity terminal | Ship | Better value after processing |
| Mixed cargo | Separate terminals | Matching storage source | Prevents terminal errors |
Before leaving your mining area, check whether the load is stored in a backpack, ROC, or ship. The terminal may only display compatible sources.
Gem Selling Zones and Admin Offices
Gemstones are usually the easiest mining products to sell because they fit into personal storage or ROC cargo. Admin Offices contain terminals that support buying and selling. These locations are useful when your load is too small to justify a refinery route or when you want to convert a completed hand-mining trip into a quick payout.
When you arrive, locate the administrative terminal, choose Sell, select the correct backpack or ROC source, and review the transaction before confirming. If the expected cargo does not appear, verify that the item is still in the selected container and that you are using a compatible terminal.
| Region | Example Selling Locations | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| ArcCorp | Area 18, mining areas, Shubin facilities, Lagrange points | Gem sales near ArcCorp operations |
| Crusader | Seraphim Station, GrimHEX, mining outposts, Lagrange points | Compact mining loads and local routes |
| Hurston | Lorville, HDMS facilities, Everus Harbor, Lagrange points | Gem sales around Hurston settlements |
| MicroTech | Port Tressler, Shubin facilities, mining settlements, Lagrange points | Short-distance sales after local mining |
The best location is normally the one that minimizes risk rather than the one that appears most valuable on paper. A nearby Admin Office can save fuel, landing time, and exposure to hazards. A more distant city may be appropriate when you are already carrying refined materials or combining several objectives into one trip.
Do not fly across the system for a small gem load unless you are already traveling that direction. Travel costs and time can reduce the practical value of a compact sale.
Admin Office Selling Flow
- Travel to an Admin Office in the region where you completed the mining run.
- Find the administrative buy-and-sell terminal.
- Select Sell, then choose the backpack or ROC containing the gemstones.
- Confirm the quantity and complete the transaction.
- Check your balance and storage before leaving the area.
A useful habit is to sell after returning from a mining trip rather than allowing several small loads to accumulate across different locations. This keeps your inventory easier to audit and reduces the chance of forgetting which container holds the valuable cargo.
Raw Ore Sales at Refinery Terminals
Selling unrefined minerals is the fastest option when you need immediate aUEC or do not want to wait for processing. Refinery terminals beside refining facilities can accept raw ore directly from a ship in the hangar. This method is convenient, but it trades maximum value for speed: raw ore sales pay about half the value of refined materials under the referenced selling model.
Use raw sales for low-value leftovers, emergency cash flow, or cargo that is not worth processing. For a large haul containing valuable minerals, compare the expected processing return with your current need for funds before confirming the sale.
| Refinery Station | System Area | Route Profile |
|---|---|---|
| ARC-L1 Wide Forest Station | ArcCorp region | Practical for ArcCorp mining routes |
| ARC-L2 Lively Pathway Station | ArcCorp region | Suitable for nearby Lagrange operations |
| ARC-L4 Faint Glen Station | ArcCorp region | Alternative refinery destination |
| CRU-L1 Ambitious Dream Station | Crusader region | Useful for Crusader routes |
| HUR-L1 Green Glade Station | Hurston region | Convenient for Hurston mining |
| HUR-L2 Faithful Dream Station | Hurston region | Secondary Hurston option |
| MIC-L1 Shallow Frontier Station | MicroTech region | Local MicroTech processing route |
| MIC-L2 Long Forest Station | MicroTech region | Alternative MicroTech terminal |
| MIC-L5 Modern Icarus Station | MicroTech region | Longer route option in the region |
Secure the Ship
Return the mining ship to the station and place it in the hangar. Confirm that the ore is stored in the ship rather than a vehicle or personal inventory.
Open the Refinery Terminal
Visit the refinery area and interact with the terminal beside the refining services. Choose the selling option rather than the processing option.
Select the Cargo Source
Choose the ship shown by the terminal, review the listed minerals, and select only the cargo you intend to sell.
Compare the Payout
Check the displayed aUEC amount. If the load contains valuable material, compare the quick-sale return with the value you expect from refining.
Confirm and Verify
Complete the sale, then confirm that the cargo was removed and the balance updated before departing.
| Decision | Choose Raw Sale When | Choose Refining When |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | You need funds immediately | You can wait for processing |
| Cargo size | The load is small or mixed | The load is large and consistent |
| Value target | Convenience matters most | You want stronger long-term returns |
| Route | A refinery is already nearby | You have a planned delivery destination |
A refinery terminal is a reliable quick-cash option, but valuable full loads are usually better candidates for processing before delivery.
Refined Ore Delivery to City Markets
Processed ore follows a different sales path. The major cities on the planets of Stanton provide commodity terminals where refined materials can be sold from a ship. These markets are commonly associated with trade divisions, including TDD locations, while Lorville uses the Central Business District for commodity transactions.
Plan the final destination before starting the refining process. A clear destination makes it easier to select the right refinery, organize cargo, and avoid carrying processed material through several unnecessary transfers.
| City or Market | Planet | Terminal Type |
|---|---|---|
| Area 18 | ArcCorp | Trade and Development Division |
| New Babbage | MicroTech | Trade and Development Division |
| Orison | Crusader | Trade and Development Division |
| Lorville | Hurston | Central Business District |
City Delivery Method
- Travel to the selected city and complete the required landing or docking process.
- Enter the appropriate trade or commodity district.
- Locate the terminal used for buying and selling goods.
- Select Sell and choose the ship carrying the refined materials.
- Review the cargo list carefully before confirming the transaction.
Refined cargo is more valuable, but it may also justify more careful preparation. Check your ship’s storage, confirm that the processed materials are loaded, and avoid accepting a mission or route that forces you to abandon the delivery. A clean, direct trip is often preferable to a complicated itinerary with several stops.
Know whether your final market is Area 18, New Babbage, Orison, or Lorville before refining a large load. Destination planning keeps the entire mining cycle organized.
Terminal Selection Comparison
| Selling Destination | Cargo Supported | Typical Source | Planning Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admin Office | Gems | Backpack or ROC | Find the nearest practical office |
| Refinery terminal | Raw minerals | Ship in hangar | Prioritize speed or emergency liquidity |
| City trade terminal | Refined ore | Ship cargo hold | Plan a direct delivery route |
| Central Business District | Refined ore | Ship cargo hold | Use for Lorville commodity sales |
Efficient Selling Routes and Risk Control
A profitable route is not only about the final payout. It also accounts for travel distance, cargo handling, landing time, storage compatibility, and the chance of losing a load before reaching the terminal. Start by grouping your activities by region. ArcCorp, Crusader, Hurston, and MicroTech each offer local mining, refinery, administrative, and trade destinations.
For gem runs, use a nearby settlement or Admin Office whenever possible. For raw ore, select the refinery that best matches your current location. For refined materials, leave the refinery with a specific city destination rather than deciding after launch.
Before You Sell:
- Identify whether the cargo is gems, raw ore, or refined material
- Confirm the correct storage source: backpack, ROC, or ship
- Choose the nearest suitable Admin Office, refinery, or city market
- Review the expected payout before confirming the transaction
- Verify that the cargo disappeared and the aUEC balance updated
Short Local Route
- Mine near a settlement
- Sell gems at an Admin Office
- Best for compact loads
Refinery Route
- Return raw ore to a refinery
- Process or sell based on priority
- Best for ship-based mining
Delivery Route
- Refine first
- Travel directly to a city market
- Best for organized cargo runs
Keep a written route plan when carrying a large load. Record the mining region, cargo type, selected terminal, and destination city. This simple process reduces mistakes when multiple ships or storage containers are involved.
Every transfer creates another opportunity for confusion. Mine, store, refine, and sell through the fewest practical locations.
Recommended Regional Planning
| Mining Region | Compact Load Destination | Raw Ore Destination | Refined Cargo Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArcCorp | Nearby Admin Office | ARC-L1, ARC-L2, or ARC-L4 | Area 18 |
| Crusader | Nearby Admin Office | CRU-L1 | Orison |
| Hurston | Nearby Admin Office | HUR-L1 or HUR-L2 | Lorville |
| MicroTech | Nearby Admin Office | MIC-L1, MIC-L2, or MIC-L5 | New Babbage |
These routes are planning frameworks rather than mandatory paths. Conditions, ship availability, cargo size, and personal objectives can change the best choice. Recalculate whenever a route adds a long detour or requires moving cargo between incompatible storage types.
Sell Ores FAQ
Q: Where should I sell gemstones?
Take gemstones to an Admin Office terminal and select Sell. Choose the backpack or ROC that contains the gems, then confirm the transaction after reviewing the quantity.
Q: Can I sell unrefined ore without processing it?
Yes. Refinery terminals can accept raw minerals from a ship in the hangar. This provides a faster payout, but the return is lower than selling processed materials.
Q: Where do I sell refined ore?
Refined materials can be sold at city commodity terminals. The primary destinations are Area 18, New Babbage, Orison, and Lorville's Central Business District.
Q: Why does my cargo not appear at the terminal?
Check the storage source first. Gems may be in a backpack or ROC, while raw and refined ship cargo requires selecting the correct ship at the compatible terminal.
If the terminal lists fewer items than expected, stop and inspect your storage. Do not confirm a partial sale until you know where the missing cargo is located.
The most dependable selling strategy is to identify the cargo category first, choose a matching terminal second, and optimize the route third. That order prevents many common mistakes and keeps the mining loop easy to repeat.