Recently, i was travelling across the wastes, as i tried to talk to the trader of a Broken Hills caravan. (needed a gun)
I was surprised that the woman was carrying a HQ ore, willing to sell it for 265 caps. I thought, maybe they looted a aggressive miner, but later that day i encountered them again with a piece of HQ ore on different route. I would as sure as hell not give away a piece of HQ ore for such cheap equipment.

Could it be, that the devs finally show some mercy for poor miners by offering them a alternative?
I mean, it makes sense, first, it's a expensive piece of ware for a noob, yet still, it's affordable by two boxpacking jobs. Then, it takes time to meet a BH caravan, and it's only a single piece, so it can't be farmed by raiders. Was it meant like a consolation prize, perhaps?
If that is the case, i have to thank the devs then.