How to Start Mining

i

Draft

This article is still being written and may be incomplete.

Uncertain: Commodity choices, sell markets, and exact ship builds remain intentionally unspecific until separately verified.

Status

Draft

Last reviewed

2026-08-23

Reviewer

Sythan

Game mode

Both

Version coverage

unspecified

Source quality

Procedure draft based on current mining workflow and EDFM mining data modules

Known uncertainty

Commodity choices, sell markets, and exact ship builds remain intentionally unspecific until separately verified.

EDFM // Mining / Field Procedures

Prepare a ship for a first mining run and complete the basic loop of finding, extracting, refining, and selling mined commodities.

This procedure gives a first-run mining checklist. It assumes a commander wants a practical loop rather than a perfect profit build.

Draft: This article is still a work in progress and may be incomplete. You can help improve it by adding or expanding its content.

Before you undock

• Choose a method: Laser Mining is the simplest starting point; Core Mining, Sub-surface Mining, and Surface Deposit Mining require more specialized handling.
• Fit the extraction tool for that method.
• Fit a Refinery, Collector Limpet Controller, cargo racks, and limpets.
• Fit a Prospector Limpet Controller unless the procedure for the chosen method says otherwise.
• Leave cargo room for mined commodities after loading limpets.

Procedure

Procedure

1. Pick a target ring, hotspot, or known mining location.
2. Travel to the location and drop into the ring safely.
3. Prospect candidate asteroids before spending time extracting from them.
4. Extract with the method-specific tool: mining laser, seismic charges, sub-surface displacement missile, or abrasion blaster.
5. Keep collector limpets active while fragments or chunks are available.
6. Watch the refinery and clear unwanted blocked bins if necessary.
7. When the hold is ready, check current market demand and sell prices before choosing a station or carrier.

Completion check

The run is complete when refined commodities have been sold or stored and the ship has enough fuel, limpets, and cargo space for the next decision.

Common problems

• No cargo is appearing: check that a refinery is installed and powered, and that cargo space is available.
• Collectors are not bringing the right fragments: use the ignore workflow for unwanted commodities and clear refinery bins.
• The refinery is stuck: see How to Resolve a Full Refinery.
• The sell station changed: mining prices and demand are time-sensitive; re-check current market data before travelling far.

Related Reference Pages

Mining Planetary Rings Mining Laser Refinery Prospector Limpet Controller Collector Limpet Controller Detailed Surface Scanner

Related Field Procedures

• How to Find Somewhere to Sell Mined Commodities (Draft) — Choose a market for mined commodities using in-game market data and current third-party trade tools where appropriate.
• How to Scan Planetary Rings for Mining Hotspots (Draft) — Use a Detailed Surface Scanner to map a planetary ring and reveal mining hotspots that can guide commodity targeting.
• How to Start Mining (Draft) — Prepare a ship for a first mining run and complete the basic loop of finding, extracting, refining, and selling mined commodities.