Survival supplies
Potassium Nitrate Mining
Nitrate supports Gunpowder, Antibiotics and Herbal Antibiotics crafting.
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Potassium Nitrate Mining
Potassium Nitrate nodes and deposits in Pine Forest, Burnt Forest, Desert, and Wasteland; boulders, body bags, and cave formations can also yield powder.
Before you go
- A pickaxe or Auger for ore deposits.
- Inventory room for powder and mixed ore.
- A safe route to the chosen biome or cave.
Farming steps
- Choose a biome with Potassium Nitrate deposits or inspect nearby caves for stalagmites and stalactites.
- Search for a Potassium Nitrate surface node and mark it before digging.
- Mine below the marker with a pickaxe, checking gravel borders and adjacent blocks for more ore.
- Alternatively, mine boulders or eligible body bags for a smaller opportunistic source of powder.
- Inspect the mined yield before deciding whether to continue; underground deposits may contain mixed ores.
- Carry the powder to base and reserve it for Gunpowder, Antibiotics, or Herbal Antibiotics.
- Store extra powder until the relevant crafting need arises.
- Caves and boulders can add powder during other trips, avoiding a dedicated deposit excavation.
- Check your haul for mixed ore so you do not leave useful material behind.
Repeat, collect and use
Repeat at another deposit or harvestable source when your powder stock is low; each boulder, body bag, or exposed cave feature is a finite pickup.
Common mistakes
- Searching outside the listed biomes for a surface node: focus on the supported distribution areas.
- Treating every source as a large ore vein: boulders and body bags are supplementary pickups.
- Hauling without a crafting use in mind: prioritize storage space for powder you can use.
When to stop or switch
Stop when the powder covers your intended ammunition or medical crafting, or leave a dangerous cave and resume from a safer source.
Sources & fact checks
What you can get here
Open a guide to find other locations and see what the item is used for.