Going for the Precious Gem was my worst best idea. Let me share about everything I did wrong in the hopes someone can learn from my innumerable mistakes.
The easiest way to get the shard medals is to watch KTRI and wait for an Ore Depot to collect 450+ units of the one you're after. The "transport ore to depot" mission it gives you counts as a mining mission and you can collect all 3 shards at once with 450 units.
The easiest way to get the shard medals is to watch KTRI and wait for an Ore Depot to collect 450+ units of the one you're after. The "transport ore to depot" mission it gives you counts as a mining mission and you can collect all 3 shards at once with 450 units.