I don't know where the problem with moving the bases is to be honest. I mean. 10 k distance from a mining area is more than ok. Even 15k is ok ish for a decent armored ship. 20k is maybe a bit too far for new players.
I remember Niob ore mining operations with my Samura| fellows or even alone at the mining site in Leeds around 20k away from Stokes back in 4.85. I think quite a few veterans here can feel the thrill i've had there. Not to know when a dirty and/or ugly BAF, BPA or a even uglier Bowex shows up to shoot you. And the escape was thrilling too. Sometimes i reached the station without loosing anything, sometimes not. If you ask it should be always that way, because i think the chasing party had fun too in this special scenario.
Though, we also should do something about F1 players in mining fields then. They were an annoyance and they still are. I like Jack Hendersons idea for that case very much.
