Simple suggestion for solving the mine layer trouble, glitching, game lagging, and all around iritating ability.

Instead of laying one mine at a time taking up a set number of antimatter, make it so it requires not only the full charge of antimatter but also consumes the ship laying it. Just like a colony ship creating a starbase. The mine field created should be on a very large scale, kind of like the mine fields you see in Star Trek or Galaxy Quest; a large block which can be used for defence, ambush, blockades, support or channelling enemy ships.

Also, Make it so all fields created are invisible to all players exept the one who created it. When a scout ship comes within range this is when they should be "Spotted" and remain uncloaked to the player who "spotted" it until destroyed. Having to constantly move your scouts within range and then targed with strike craft becomes very iritating so mine fields should remain visible and destroyable once they are "spotted" or "Discovered.

I also agree with some of the suggestions other players have made about making mines hostile to all players, even the laying party. This would reduce the use of them expect for distinct strategic purposes and eliminate mine spamming AI's and players.