A newly created (and rapidly expanding) page on the Star Citizen Wiki outlines an Ore Quality mechanic that could reshape how mining works in the 'verse. The page describes quality as a distinct property of mined ore, separate from its base composition, hinting that how well you extract resources may matter just as much as what you extract.
While CIG hasn't made a formal announcement about this system, the level of detail already documented suggests it's tied to backend work on the long-awaited crafting gameplay loop. Ore quality could plausibly influence refining yields, crafting outcomes, or the value of raw materials sold on the market — though exact mechanics haven't been confirmed by the studio.
Miners and industrial players will want to keep an eye on this one, as it may add a new layer of skill and decision-making to the mining loop beyond simply finding the richest rock. As always with wiki-sourced info, details are subject to change as CIG's plans evolve.
This is our summary of community wiki documentation — see the linked source for the full page and details.