Iron is a core production resource, so a dependable surface deposit can support a wide range of base and ship construction.
PC / Global, current base game
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
Open planetary terrain with visible ore patches, or ore-bearing asteroid voxels. Ore placement can vary with world settings.
Find a detector signal, confirm the deposit with a drill, and return the ore to a powered Refinery or Survival Kit for processing into iron ingots. Surface discoloration can help you inspect a site, but use the detector signal to identify the deposit.
A powered Ore Detector or Hand Drill for locating deposits.
A Hand Drill or ship drills for extraction.
Cargo space and access to a powered Refinery or Survival Kit.
Power the scouting ship and set the Ore Detector to its maximum range.
Fly over open ground while watching the HUD for an iron signal; mark its position so you can return to it.
Approach the signal and inspect the terrain. A discolored patch can help identify the surface area, but confirm the ore with the drill or detector.
Mine the iron-bearing voxel with a Hand Drill or ship drills. Keep the mining area focused on the signal instead of removing surrounding stone unnecessarily.
If the deposit appears shallow or the signal continues below it, descend carefully and scan again to check for a deeper layer.
Load ore into cargo and return to a powered Refinery or Survival Kit. Put the ore in its input or connect the cargo through conveyors.
Collect the resulting iron ingots from the processing block or connected storage.
Farming tips
A large-grid detector can reveal deeper deposits than a small-grid detector; it has a maximum range of 150 m versus 50 m for small grid.
Keep a marker for a productive patch so later trips can go directly to the same site.
Repeat, collect and use
Repeat the scan, mine, haul, and refining loop while the deposit remains productive; return to marked patches when you need more iron.
Common mistakes
Treating terrain color as proof of iron: confirm the signal or ore type before committing to a mine.
Drilling a long tunnel based only on a surface clue: scan at the signal and below it as needed to follow the deposit.
Returning with ore but no processing access: check power and Refinery or Survival Kit input before making a large haul.
When to stop or switch
Stop when the cargo limit or refinery input is reached, or switch to another ore signal when the current patch no longer yields useful iron.
