Sounds like Hyperspeed or Lightspeed (http://www.mobygames.com/game_group/sheet/gameGroupId,3732/).
Could also be Star Control or Star Control 2.

unfortunately it was not any of those titles. strange that i remember being told this was a classic title, yet i can't find word of it anywhere.

I know that you could upgrade your ship to carry more fuel tanks and cargo capacity. I think there were many other options but those i think were the most basic as it related directly to the mining that made up a major amount of the (early at least) gameplay.

There were stars on the hyperspace map, all arranged in star systems (alpha, beta etc.) and then each star system had planets which could be landed upon to gain minerals. Sometimes on the surface of these planets there would be roving beasts to avoid. Driving on the surface of the planets 'wrapped around' but only in one dimension, so as to form the shape of a cylinder instead of sphere.

Interacting with aliens usually involved the standard RPG fair with a selection of responses to given text, but it felt fairly dynamic and was usually fairly funny. Sometimes information could be won or bartered for, as well as battles instigated.

The home base was I believe a space station arouind the moon. I think the backstory involved aliens arriving on earth and 'locking down' the planet.

I believe you're thinking of Alien Legacy, am I right?

If so, that's a wonderful, complex game (which for 1994 is quite amazing), which draws the story together with the resource gathering, colony management, and exploration. I play it myself and love it.

I believe you're thinking of Alien Legacy, am I right?

If so, that's a wonderful, complex game (which for 1994 is quite amazing), which draws the story together with the resource gathering, colony management, and exploration. I play it myself and love it.

Are you sure it's not Star Control 2? That backstory matches it perfectly. So do space map and driving on planets.

I'll take your word for it, since I haven't played Star Control 2. Alien Legacy is very close though, according to my gameplay of it.

Don't know if I'm getting out of line, but-
Star Control 2 is free and available under the title The Ur-Quan Masters
http://sc2.sourceforge.net/

Easy way to check.

BINGO

Ur-Quan Masters aka star control 2.... I should try out alien legacy as well

thanks you guys have been a lot of help

You're very welcome, enjoy the game!