View source for How to Laser Mine

{{Article status|status=Draft|mode=Both|noindex=yes|reviewed=2026-08-23|reviewer=Sythan|source_quality=Procedure draft based on current mining workflow and EDFM mining data modules|uncertainty=Exact asteroid yields and best commodity targets still need direct Live-game verification.}}
{{Field procedure|summary=Extract surface fragments from asteroids with mining lasers, collect them with limpets, and refine useful commodities.}}

Use this procedure when the ship is fitted for [[Laser Mining|laser mining]] and the goal is to fill cargo with refined commodities from ordinary asteroid fragments.

{{Draft warning}}

== Required equipment ==

* [[Mining Laser]]
* [[Refinery]]
* [[Prospector Limpet Controller]]
* [[Collector Limpet Controller]]
* Limpets and cargo space

== Procedure ==

{{Procedure steps|
# Enter the target ring or hotspot and reduce speed before approaching the asteroid field.
# Fire a prospector limpet at a candidate asteroid.
# Read the prospector result and skip asteroids that do not contain useful material for the run.
# Put pips and positioning where the mining lasers can run without constant overheating or drift.
# Fire mining lasers until fragments break free.
# Launch collector limpets without targeting a single fragment unless you deliberately want one-use collection.
# Continue mining while collectors bring fragments to the refinery.
# Stop or move on when the asteroid is depleted, the refinery is blocked, or cargo planning changes.
}}

== Completion check ==

The asteroid is finished when useful fragments stop appearing or the prospector/mining display indicates depletion. The run is finished when the planned cargo amount is refined and ready to sell.

== Common problems ==

* '''Collectors die quickly:''' avoid scraping the asteroid surface and avoid launching collectors while a single fragment is targeted unless that is intentional.
* '''Fragments are ignored or vanish:''' check refinery capacity, cargo capacity, and the ignore list for unwanted commodities.
* '''The ship overheats:''' reduce sustained laser fire, adjust power management, or improve distance and positioning.

== Related Reference Pages ==
{{#invoke:Procedures|referenceLinks|procedure=How to Laser Mine}}

== Related Field Procedures ==
{{#invoke:Procedures|list|page=How to Laser Mine}}

[[Category:Mining]]