Hermium is a naturally occurring material that can be used to power jump stations such as Heimdall and Magellan. It appears to be a highly valued resource. Some planets seem to naturally possess hermium in their crusts, which can be mined and harvested. Hermium needs processing before it can be used.
One planet with natural hermium deposits is Kerenza IV, with mines owned by the WUC. Unannounced/unlicensed hermium mining appears to have been outlawed by the United Terran Authority, and it was one of the justifications for BeiTech's invasion of the planet. During the BeiTech occupation, the company's soldiers force civilians to mine enough hermium to fuel a portable wormhole so they can leave the Kerenza System and return to the Core.