I'm putting this up since so many people are complaining about getting killed in unguarded mines and its hard to get etc etc (yes, I'm kinda one of them).
Why not make those two both craftable and gatherable, keep the normal system AND add the craftable, like if you have 5 ore/mineral you can craft 1 HQ ore/mineral - or increase to 10 of each if you'r afraid 5 is too low and people will spam HQ ore/minerals. I think that it's pretty realistic atleast but if you want to complain be my guest.
I'd think that would be pretty sweet, it adds an alternative atleast and for a low lvl/non powerbuild it beats going to HQ cave and get killed and waste a cow, time and a SLEDGE! >.>