So I am almost exclusively a PvE player. I do OPR for the rubies and even in that mode I do the base building for the most part.
I really enjoyed seeing all the activity in the GC with the open world PvP as I would mine the new Orich and Starmetal veins nearby. My wife and I would sit back and watch the action and really enjoy it. It felt like an MMO in that area. You yourself (Devs) said that it was a happy accident.
Why nerf the faction missions?
If you want PvP players doing open world PvP and having fun then I would suggest you lean into this. Give more of that for them in the GC. Hell maybe even make a zone for them. I truly don’t understand not just opening up the floodgates so to speak when it comes to this stuff. Why are we still holding players back? Lower the barriers, open the roads, release the kraken.
When I go mine with my wife we just see empty snow banks and the permafrost of what could have been. Guys your players really enjoyed something, don’t nerf it lean into it! 
