Why don't NPC traders use L-Mines or other types of mines? Why doesn't the hive equip their little swift observer craft with L-mines?

I seem to recall that this has been brought up before, but I can't for the life of me remember what the reason was for not equipping them with mines - I think it may have had something to do with the NPC's using them near stations and causing havok. But surely that's been fixed now... right?

Maybe because the L-mine itself, not to mention the launcher, is bigger than the Hive's Observer?

I don't think the NPC AI is capable of "aiming" a mine.
Also NPC inflicted damage and player inflicted damage is treated differently by VO so the NPCs of a convoy would in all likelihood end up killing whichever NPC was unfortunate enough to be at the rear.