Quote:The reason ore mining is more profitable is because you need multiple people to wring the most efficient profit out of it.
Not QUITE so true any more in the age of POBs that can store ore. Miners can simply mine and store the ore at their base and then charge docking fees to the folks who want to haul it, who can then do so at their leisure. No more lingering in mining fields and filling up customers all while waiting for pirates to show up and ruin someone's day.
I'd say smuggling is due a real buff to compete with that, at least to be on par if not more profitable.