Hmmm. Given that a rock comes apart into 50-some chunks of ore, I can see a somewhat expensive explosive powder that is applied to a rock using a new tool (drill) which shatters the rock into ore chunks. It would have to be more expensive than pick mining because it would save something even more valuable, which is time.
+1
I like the idea of a jackhammer using fuel cells, and breaking up a rock until it is gone, for minimal energy loss. There should be a downside, though, like no gem drops with a jackhammer.
Super Explosive Geofecundity Powder. I like it! Except it would probably be made out of 500 Badassinol and 600 Smithereen, which use more shiny than the entire island of Uralia.
Interesting ... might cause imbalance (imagine a player with Mining 1 trying to get a chunk while a level 60 goes around blowing entire rocks in one move). Could be mitigated by conditioning it's use somehow (for ex, you can use if you are alone on the street).
Might work like the repair tool, a periodic energy loss for a periodic material(ore) gain.
And if we get dynamite, can we please use it on de-imaginators/juju, too ?