Okay - if anyone else runs into this 'why the heck can't I get these mining level 50 actions', here is the deal.

There is a blue quest called Inscrutable Tastes in Foundation at 10,10 given by Morgayne. It's a simple delivery quest, and once you do it you'll unlock Scour, Brazen Prospector, Meticulous Prospector and Scrutiny.