Sub-surface Mining

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Draft

This article is still being written and may be incomplete.

Uncertain: Deposit availability and commodity-specific recommendations still need direct Live-game verification.

Status

Draft

Last reviewed

2026-08-23

Reviewer

Sythan

Game mode

Both

Version coverage

unspecified

Source quality

Research-backed draft using current mining loop and EDCD mining equipment data

Known uncertainty

Deposit availability and commodity-specific recommendations still need direct Live-game verification.

EDFM // Mining

Sub-surface mining uses displacement missiles to extract deposits inside an asteroid.

Sub-surface mining uses a Sub-surface Displacement Missile against a deposit inside an asteroid. A prospector scan identifies the deposit, then the missile is fired and released during the extraction window to break material loose for collection.

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

Equipment

A sub-surface mining ship needs a displacement missile launcher, a Prospector Limpet Controller, a Collector Limpet Controller, a Refinery, limpets, and cargo space. A Detailed Surface Scanner is useful when the run is aimed at a mapped hotspot.

Workflow summary

1. Prospect the asteroid and select a sub-surface deposit.
2. Fire and hold the displacement missile while tracking the deposit indicator.
3. Release during the highlighted extraction band.
4. Keep collector limpets active to retrieve the released chunks.
5. Manage refinery bins so mixed fragments do not stall collection.

Related Field Procedures

• How to Sub-surface Mine (Draft) — Extract sub-surface deposits from asteroids with displacement missiles and collect the released chunks.