Mining

From SFWiki

This skill represents the character's ability to mine for ore. Characters without this skill may not mine.

Higher ranks in this skill mean that the character is better adept at finding usable ore. Further, the character is less likely to suffer a mining mishap and is better able to 'target' his or her mining attempts.

This is a poor choice of starting skill for the character. Mining is a complicated process, and to successfully run the 'mining experience' requires additional skills (Smithing, for instance).