I'm not sure I agree. I'm not a miner but I could bring you an entire mountain and it won't change the quality or amount of material a refiner can extract from it. Perhaps skill can increase the speed at which it is removed and or reduce the weight of the materials to be carried back to the refiners. I do agree that perhaps the refiner should be able to upgrade the mats in quality at a cost of course. This should also be averaged with the skill of the crafter for the final product. I would imagine the different types I metal would have a "cap" as to the max quality. No matter how good a crafter or refiner you are a bronze sword probably will never out do say adamantite. Who ever heard of a vorpal bronze sword!!!