In the Vision Book there was mention of a resource collection drone that would work alongside the THMPR and to which we would have to run back and forth with the pieces of ore we'd pick up, by running over them. In a month-old gameplay video, I saw no signs of this drone, perhaps because of the lack of finished models in the whitebox or because they dropped the idea of a separate drone. Which would be welcome. Or the drone itself, with a rudimentary AI, could follow the THMPR around and pick up whatever resources it would dig up.
It would be too much multitasking, for us as the pilot, to keep tabs on 1. the digging THMPR and its "vitals" 2. the drone and its state, 3. deal with all the enemies 4. while running around to collect bits of ore. Realistically, the drone should do that, so we'd keep the drone, if we don't want to explain where a THMPR would store all that it digs up without one.
Of course, the thumpers in Firefall were different. They penetrated the ground, without consent, dug and sucked themselves full of stuff...by whatever mechanism, folded up, fired their boosters and launched themselves out of there, back to base. The MEKs can return to orbit like that, too. Or just the nearest ground facility, but it still wouldn't explain where they could fit all the resources they extracted on their bodies. So, I guess we do need a drone. But, its existence could spare us from some running around, when we'll already have three separate things to pay attention to, plus environmental dangers, like lava and stuff.
Escort the MEK and pay attention to its condition. Escort the drone, pay attention to its condition.
Protect both from waves of enemies and effing falling rocks that are shifted in, too, apparently, which is a cool-ass way to switch things up, but damn. The drone itself needs to have some serious protection, as well. But, then...it can't exactly defend itself or not nearly as well as the MEK can.
And if the drone would somehow be impervious to damage it wouldn't make sense. Just have no drone, then. But, then, where would our MEK put all the good stuff and how would it still be able to fight carrying all that? And won't it be simpler for the Tsi-Hu foot-soldiers, shifted beasts and Cat-3s to just go straight for the drone, then, if they want to ruin our day? Sure, our MEK wouldn't promptly plant a fist and a drill in their face and ass, but it wouldn't discourage them much. And how big would this drone be, anyway? To carry all the resources AND have enough armor.
Also, in the novel, there are no mentions of a collection drone, not with Kirii, nor anywhere else.