Resources
Ores & Mining: What Every Ore and Nugget Gives
Every ore works the same way: mine it with the dismantle tool, then recycle the nuggets. The table shows what each of the ten ores gives; reported mining spots are labeled separately.
Data status
Details that are not confirmed yet are marked and are not used in calculations. Game reference: Update 5.5. Last checked: 2026-10-08.
How mining works
Update 02 added ore as a new resource, with metals of varying types, and a Sonar module that scans the ocean floor for resources including ore.
Update 03 added new ores, nuggets and pigments for crafting Caretaker paints.
Mine ore with the dismantle tool to get nuggets, then recycle the nuggets in the Recycler. Metal nuggets give 1 material each; pigment nuggets give 2 portions of pigment.
Not confirmed yet
Each time you dismantle Iron, Copper, Gold, Titanium or Quantum Crystal Ore, there may be a 50% chance of 1–2 nuggets; each ore is listed at 60 kg. For pigment ores the chance is listed as 50% for 2–3 nuggets.
What each ore gives
| Mine | Recycle | You get (per nugget) |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore | Iron Nugget | 1 Iron |
| Copper Ore | Copper Nugget | 1 Copper |
| Gold Ore | Gold Nugget | 1 Gold |
| Titanium Ore | Titanium Nugget | 1 Titanium |
| Quantum Crystal Ore | Quantum Crystal Nugget | 1 Quantum Crystal |
| Rutile Ore | Rutile Nugget | 2 portions of Titanium Dioxide White |
| Cobalt Ore | Cobalt Nugget | 2 portions of Cobalt Aluminate Blue |
| Hematite Ore | Hematite Nugget | 2 portions of Iron Oxide Red |
| Chromite Ore | Chromite Nugget | 2 portions of Chromium Oxide Green |
| Graphite Ore | Graphite Nugget | 2 portions of Carbon Black |
Quantum Crystal and the Reactive Core
Since Update 5.5, the Reactive Core requires Quantum Crystal instead of Plasma Gel.
Quantum Crystal comes from Quantum Crystal Nuggets, which you get by mining Quantum Crystal Ore. It is an Artifact-rarity material.
Not confirmed yet
The wiki also says Quantum Crystal is sometimes given as a gift for delivering Humans to space. This is not confirmed yet.
Not confirmed yet
The wiki lists the current Reactive Core recipe as 3 Titanium, 1 Quantum Crystal and 6 Aluminium.
Where to look for ore
Not confirmed yet
Most Iron, Copper and Gold Ore is listed around the four Quarantine Stacks (Amen, Chorus, Dawn and Aurora). Gold Ore also turns up at The Spire of Exodus, The Spire of Industry and The Spire of Command, and some ore lies in open sea.
Not confirmed yet
Quantum Crystal Ore is listed in much smaller amounts than other ores, mainly at Quarantine Stack Amen, The Spire of Exodus, Quarantine Stack Chorus and North Deep Intake Station.
Not confirmed yet
Pigment ores are listed at Courier Sieve Node Facility, The Spire of Exodus, Quarantine Stack Amen and North Deep Intake Station.
Frequently asked questions
How do you mine ore?
Mine ore with the dismantle tool to get nuggets, then recycle the nuggets in the Recycler. Metal nuggets give 1 material each; pigment nuggets give 2 portions of pigment.
What does each ore give?
Iron, Copper, Gold, Titanium and Quantum Crystal Ore give nuggets that recycle into 1 of that material. Rutile, Cobalt, Hematite, Chromite and Graphite Ore give nuggets that recycle into 2 portions of a paint pigment.
How do you get Quantum Crystal?
Mine Quantum Crystal Ore with the dismantle tool and recycle the Quantum Crystal Nuggets in the Recycler.
What is Quantum Crystal used for?
Since Update 5.5, the Reactive Core requires Quantum Crystal instead of Plasma Gel.
Official sources and wiki
- Community wiki: Iron Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community wiki: Copper Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community wiki: Gold Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community wiki: Titanium Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community wiki: Quantum Crystal Nugget — February 16, 2026 revision
- Community wiki: Rutile Nugget
- Community wiki: Cobalt Nugget
- Community wiki: Hematite Nugget
- Community wiki: Chromite Nugget
- Community wiki: Graphite Nugget
- Official Update 02 — February 11, 2026
- Official Update 03 — March 18, 2026
- Official Update 5.5 — August 31, 2026
- Community wiki: Quantum Crystal — September 17, 2026 revision
- Community wiki: Reactive Core — September 5, 2026 revision
