[Alneyan]

Welcome! I will do my best to answer your questions, starting with question 5 (because it will matter for question 2 and 4). If you have the opportunity to do so, the Newbie FAQ will provide you with answers to many questions you might have.

5) Resource storage is only used to keep excedentary resources in storage, while cargo is used to transport units and population (was it your question?). When you build units, they go to the "cargo" of your planet, or to cargo bays on ships if there is no room left on the planet. The Cargo transfer button is used to transfer cargo between a planet and a ship, which is required in order to move units (or population) around. For example, in question 2, you have to move cargo (the mines in this case) in order to deploy them somewhere else.

There is little difference between ship cargo and planetary cargo; ship cargo is only needed if you need to move your cargo around, but they otherwise have the same features. The only other difference is that a planet can launch any cargo it has in reserve, whereas a ship will need specific launch components in order to deploy fighters or mines.

1) Ships can use remote-miners without problem, and would then be sent to an asteroid field. Once they are in position, you will see a new line above Maintenance, titled "Remote-mining". It would say, for example, 554 minerals mined by the ship.

2) You either need a Minelayer Bay or a planet to launch mines. Planets can launch anything without problem, but there are several different components for ships (Fighter Bay for fighters, Satellite Bay for satellites, something for Drone and Minelayer Bays). Build one such ship, and build a few mines at a planet. Then load the Minelayer with the mines, and send it to where you want to lay the mines. Finally order it to Launch Units remotely (or the Launch/Recover button if you are playing a non-simultaneous game), and select "mines" in the pop-up that will appear.

3) Such planets are difficult to protect, and not too important for your Empire. However, you should defend whole systems whenever possible, rather than individual planets. A fleet stationated over a wormhole (used to travel between systems) will start combat next to the invading fleet, and will have one full turn to wreak havoc on the invaders, making it an effective way of defending yourself.

4) Weapon platforms are units kept on planets, whereas bases are orbital defences, requiring a Spaceyard to be built. So weapon platforms are cheaper and easier to build, and do not require any monthly maintenance. They are also weaker than bases. You can build them at any planet or spaceyard, and they will be used whenever they are in a planet storage.