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Can't see the answer to this in forum search or on the wiki, so if I have missed it, feel free to link me to the answer.

As far as I can see, the things which the mining drill mines (at least in the early game, on Nauvis) cannot possess quality. No quality iron ore, for example. But the mining drill can accept a quality module. So... what am I getting for my efforts? Is it just a filled module slot and a speed debuff?

Nevermind, did a test and iron ore CAN have quality. Bug report instead

ore CAN have quality. Bug report instead

This isn't a bug. It's intended.

Quality ore doesn't do anything by itself, but its used to make quality products. Quality products can be crafted directly with quality ingredients.

E.G. Quality Ore -> Quality Plate -> Quality Ammo ( does extra damage )

As Antstar said, this is not a bug. Items which have no other use can still possess quality, since that matters for crafting. Ore is a great example because legendary iron ore (which you get from recycling concrete on Fulgora, for example) turns into legendary iron plate.

Another good example would be iron plate. It serves no other purpose than as a crafting material to make more legendary stuff.