In hi-sec space you only need combat drones to handle the rats. For low-sec you'd need a dedicated combat toon as backup.

But I wouldn't recommend multiboxing in low-sec, you'd be too slow to react if a PVPer decided to come in and nuke your barges.

I had about four mining accounts, one of which is about a month from the orca - but I'm not playing EVE any more - too expensive and not enough fun

I keep hpoing they'll make it better for PVE - but I don't think they EVER will, the devs are c*cks