Independent Miners Guild

Synopsis
The Independent Mining Guild (IMG) is a loose confederation of miners who work those fields that have thus far remained undeveloped by the larger mining companies. Conflict between IMG and BMM in Tau space was one of the primary causes of the war between Bretonia and Kusari.

History
654AS: The first Independent Miners Guild (IMG) base is established in the Tau-23 system, known as Java Station. Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing (BMM) surveyors somehow missed the system Tau-23 during the great mapping period in 450AS. A couple of Cambridge geology professors on research sabbatical stumbled across it in 654AS. Lacking the practical experience to develop the resources of the system, they persuaded some BMM mining engineers to start a new company, known as the Independent Miners Guild.

702AS: Unemployed Rheinland workers begin joining the Independent Miners Guild, following the collapse of the Rheinland economy after their defeat in the 80 year war against the GMG.

752AS: The Founders' Day Revolt by miners in the Dublin system occurs; the first major loss is the gunboat "Storm". In the aftermath the Mollys establish themselves as a permanent faction in Dublin. Some disgruntled miners opting against violence leave BMM for IMG.

756AS: The Independant Miners Guild recovers the hulk of Battleship Hood, which was wrecked by a Molly trap, repressurising it and establishing a gold mining operation in an asteroid field in the no mans land between the Mollys and Armed Forces. A racing course through the asteroid field is established not soon thereafter.

760AS: The independant miners on Freistadt join up with the Independant Miners Guild. IMG survey operations discover immense pockets of resources in the Walker nebula clouds. The IMG immediately begins mining and exporting the various minerals found.

Sources:
 * http://freelancer.wikia.com/wiki/History_of_The_Colonies
 * http://www.moddb.com/mods/crossfire/features/crossfire-unofficial-storyline

Known Bases

 * Aland Shipyard, Omega-3
 * Battleship Hood, Dublin
 * Cardiff Mining Facility, Cambridge
 * Dounby Station, Orkney
 * Falkland Base, Tau-37
 * Freeport 4, Magellan
 * Freistadt Base, Omega-7
 * Holman Outpost, Tau-31
 * Java Station, Tau-23
 * South Shields Refinery, Newcastle