Portable Miners provide a flexible manual source of ore before a powered Miner and conveyor line are practical. They are useful for a short top-up or for collecting from a node without building permanent infrastructure.
1.2 · Standard resource layout · Data 1.2.3.1
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
Any accessible node you can reach on foot. Use the Resource Scanner to find a target when its scan option is available, then choose a site safe and convenient enough for a return trip.
Place a Portable Miner directly on an accessible resource node, let it collect, and return to retrieve its internal output. It does not connect to belts or deliver resources to a factory automatically.
Filter a resource, then select a marker or location below for its purity, elevation and coordinates. The map is hosted here.
Standard resource types and purity · Game-data snapshot 1.2.3.1. Randomized worlds differ. Nearby markers may be separated by cliffs or caves.
127 Iron Ore locations
Iron Ore locations · Select a marker to inspect its coordinates.
● Impure: amber● Normal: cyan● Pure: lime◆ Well outlet■ Well core
GET STARTED
How to farm
Before you go
Portable Miner crafted and available in inventory.
Access to the desired resource node.
Inventory space to collect and carry the output.
Choose the resource you need and locate an exposed node through scanning or exploration.
Clear the immediate area enough to interact with the node safely.
Place the Portable Miner directly on the deposit.
Leave it to gather material while you handle other tasks nearby.
Return to the device and interact with it to collect its stored output.
Carry the ore back to the factory and smelt or process it as needed.
Repeat the placement and collection trip, or replace the manual method with a powered Miner when supply becomes regular.
Farming tips
Use this method to bridge a temporary shortage while you unlock and build permanent extraction.
Bring inventory space for the ore so a collection trip does not end with a full pack.
Repeat, collect and use
This is a repeatable manual farm, but every batch requires returning to the miner and collecting its internal stock. There is no belt output. It is not an unlimited hands-off production line.
Common mistakes
Expecting the Portable Miner to feed a conveyor will leave the factory empty; collect its stored ore manually.
Leaving it at a distant node without a return plan makes the output inconvenient to use; choose an accessible site.
Using repeated manual trips for sustained factory demand becomes inefficient; build a powered Miner and belt when the line justifies it.
When to stop or switch
Stop making Portable Miner runs when an automated Miner can supply the resource more reliably, or when the temporary amount you needed has been collected.
Any accessible node you can reach on foot. Use the Resource Scanner to find a target when its scan option is available, then choose a site safe and convenient enough for a return trip.
Portable Miner crafted and available in inventory.
Access to the desired resource node.
Inventory space to collect and carry the output.
Rate not listed
Related guides
More guides for gathering materials and making progress.
