Automated resource gathering and processing are the cornerstones of efficient survival and progression in No Man's Sky. By setting up Extractors and Refiners, you can create a self-sustaining system that continuously provides you with the materials you need, freeing you up for exploration and combat.
Resource Extractors
Resource Extractors are deployed on planets to automatically mine specific resources. To find suitable locations, use your Analysis Visor to scan for resource hotspots. These hotspots will appear as icons indicating the type of resource (e.g., Copper, Cadmium, Paraffinium) and its richness. Once a hotspot is identified, place a Resource Extractor on it. The Extractor will begin to mine the resource over time.
Supply Depots
Extractors have a limited storage capacity. To collect larger quantities of resources, you'll need to build Supply Depots. These act as storage units that can be linked to your Extractors. Connect them using Wiring Looms. You can chain multiple Supply Depots together to increase your storage capacity sificantly. The game will automatically transfer mined resources from the Extractor to the connected Depots.
Refiners
Refiners are essential for processing raw resources into more valuable or usable materials. There are three types: the portable Portable Refiner, the Medium Refiner, and the Large Refiner. Each has different input and output capacities. Refiners can be powered by connecting them to your base's power grid. Common refining processes include turning:
- Carbon into Dioxite
- Ferrite Dust into Purified Ferrite
- Sodium into Sodium Nitrite
Many advanced materials are created through refining, making it a crucial step in your technological progression.
Automated Processing Chains
The true power of automation comes from linking these systems. You can create complex chains where Extractors feed into Refiners, which then feed into other Refiners or directly into storage. For example, you could have an Extractor mining Copper, feeding into a Refiner to produce Dioxite, which is then used to craft more advanced components or recharge Exosuit modules.
Powering Your Automated Systems
Remember that both Resource Extractors and Refiners require power to operate. Ensure you have a robust power generation system in place (see "Power Generation & Management") to keep your automated operations running smoothly. Insufficient power will halt resource production and processing.
Maintenance and Monitoring
Periodically check your automated systems. Extractors may need to be repositioned if the resource vein is depleted, and Refiners may require manual input or output management depending on your setup. Monitoring your resource levels and processing queues will help you optimize your automated gathering operations.