The first training mission - go mine some ore and bring it back ..... yep, mined the ore, went back to the station .... Objective incomplete

hmmm, sold the ore ... Objective incomplete


went and mined some more, brought it back ... Objective incomplete


Am I missing something obvious???

Yes you do miss something important. Did you read the tutorial text? The mission description said something about special ore, not just ore, right? I think you missed that part. Mission objects have they icon colored in yellow. Thats how you know this is that special ore, or exact npc or Raider you must mine/tsl/kill.

When outside the station, hit "Space" to bring tactical overview, zoom out enough so you can see that yellow special ore. Mine enough quantity (when you mine enough, the that mission stage will be labeled "Complete". Get back to the station and the mission will be finished automatically.