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
A marks official announcements; B marks facts cross-checked between independent sources. C means a single-source report, not yet verified, and is not used in calculations. Game reference: Update 5.5; older evidence is dated in each source list. Last checked: 2026-10-08.
How mining works
Official (A)
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.
Sources and version
Update 02 announcement, February 11, 2026. Checked 2026-10-08.
Official (A)
Update 03 added new ores, nuggets and pigments for crafting Caretaker paints.
Sources and version
Update 03 announcement, March 18, 2026. Checked 2026-10-08.
Cross-checked (B)
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.
Sources and version
Community wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08.
- Community wiki: Iron Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community item listing: Iron Nugget (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community wiki: Copper Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community item listing: Copper Nugget (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community wiki: Gold Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community item listing: Gold Nugget (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community wiki: Titanium Nugget — May 31, 2026 revision
- Community item listing: Titanium Nugget (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community wiki: Quantum Crystal Nugget — February 16, 2026 revision
- Community item listing: Quantum Crystal Nugget (Early Access 0.8.5)
Player reports, not yet verified (C)
The item listing gives a 50% chance of 1–2 nuggets each time you dismantle Iron, Copper, Gold, Titanium or Quantum Crystal Ore, and lists each ore at 60 kg. For pigment ores it lists a 50% chance of 2–3 nuggets.
Sources and version
One community item listing (Early Access 0.8.5) only; not independently checked. Checked 2026-10-08.
- Community item listing: Iron Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Copper Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Gold Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Titanium Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Quantum Crystal Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Rutile Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Cobalt Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Hematite Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Chromite Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
- Community item listing: Graphite Ore (Early Access 0.8.5)
What each ore gives
| Mine | Recycle | You get (per nugget) |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore | Iron Nugget | 1 Iron (B)Sources and versionCommunity wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Copper Ore | Copper Nugget | 1 Copper (B)Sources and versionCommunity wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Gold Ore | Gold Nugget | 1 Gold (B)Sources and versionCommunity wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Titanium Ore | Titanium Nugget | 1 Titanium (B)Sources and versionCommunity wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Quantum Crystal Ore | Quantum Crystal Nugget | 1 Quantum Crystal (B)Sources and versionCommunity wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Rutile Ore | Rutile Nugget | 2 portions of Titanium Dioxide White (B)Sources and versionSeptember 2026 wiki nugget entries and independent community item listings. Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Cobalt Ore | Cobalt Nugget | 2 portions of Cobalt Aluminate Blue (B)Sources and versionSeptember 2026 wiki nugget entries and independent community item listings. Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Hematite Ore | Hematite Nugget | 2 portions of Iron Oxide Red (B)Sources and versionSeptember 2026 wiki nugget entries and independent community item listings. Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Chromite Ore | Chromite Nugget | 2 portions of Chromium Oxide Green (B)Sources and versionSeptember 2026 wiki nugget entries and independent community item listings. Checked 2026-10-08. |
| Graphite Ore | Graphite Nugget | 2 portions of Carbon Black (B)Sources and versionSeptember 2026 wiki nugget entries and independent community item listings. Checked 2026-10-08. |
Quantum Crystal and the Reactive Core
Official (A)
Since Update 5.5, the Reactive Core requires Quantum Crystal instead of Plasma Gel.
Sources and version
Update 5.5 announcement, August 31, 2026. Checked 2026-10-08.
Cross-checked (B)
Quantum Crystal comes from Quantum Crystal Nuggets, which you get by mining Quantum Crystal Ore. It is an Artifact-rarity material.
Sources and version
Community wiki nugget entry checked against an independent item listing for Early Access 0.8.5 (Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08.
Player reports, not yet verified (C)
The wiki also says Quantum Crystal is sometimes given as a gift for delivering Humans to space. This has not been independently checked.
Sources and version
Community wiki only, September 17, 2026 revision. Checked 2026-10-08.
Player reports, not yet verified (C)
The wiki lists the current Reactive Core recipe as 3 Titanium, 1 Quantum Crystal and 6 Aluminium.
Sources and version
Community wiki only, September 5, 2026 revision (after Update 5.5). Checked 2026-10-08.
Where to look for ore
Player reports, not yet verified (C)
The item listing places most Iron, Copper and Gold Ore 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.
Sources and version
One community item listing (Early Access 0.8.5) only; not independently checked. Checked 2026-10-08.
Player reports, not yet verified (C)
The item listing shows much less Quantum Crystal Ore than other ores, mainly at Quarantine Stack Amen, The Spire of Exodus, Quarantine Stack Chorus and North Deep Intake Station.
Sources and version
One community item listing (Early Access 0.8.5) only; not independently checked. Checked 2026-10-08.
Player reports, not yet verified (C)
For pigment ores, the same site lists Courier Sieve Node Facility, The Spire of Exodus, Quarantine Stack Amen and North Deep Intake Station.
Sources and version
One community item listing (Early Access 0.8.5) only; not independently checked. Checked 2026-10-08.
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.
Cross-checked (B)
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.
Cross-checked (B)
How do you get Quantum Crystal?
Mine Quantum Crystal Ore with the dismantle tool and recycle the Quantum Crystal Nuggets in the Recycler.
Cross-checked (B)
What is Quantum Crystal used for?
Since Update 5.5, the Reactive Core requires Quantum Crystal instead of Plasma Gel.
Official (A)