I think a lot of people want to have a PVP server in order for resources to be able to be fought for and bots unable to work because they would be killed. Since this has its drawbacks why don’t you make it so that there is a chance for some kind of monster to spawn when you destroy a node? Making it so that just running away won’t be enough and it could have a pull of some kind so that you are forced to kill it. This would kill the bots and create some variety in the humdrum of gathering resources. Could be a corrupted that climbs out of the ground under iron ore, or a corrupted that was hiding in a tree when it is felled.
What you are describing is exactly what it is like mining Sulphur in Brimstone Sands. There are enemies everywhere so there is absolutely no chance a bot could survive there. The enemies also pull you into the acid pools. You should check it out. I do agree though, they should implement the same system around most t4 and t5 resources.
No really they shouldnt. They should just be more active in banning bots. The resourcecrequirements in this game are incredibly high, it already takes forever to farm materials. We dont need to fight for every node.