Complete Elite Dangerous Guide To Mining

This site is an updated guide and location resource for mining in Elite Dangerous.

All locations are user submitted. We want your trips to the rings to be as profitable as possible and try and bring you the latest updates and locations to understand and explore.

Mining Locations

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COL 107 SECTOR VE-V B46-3

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Overlapping bromellite, great view of a nebula and a dense star pattern from rim area.

COL 285 Sector EF-N A50-5

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Multiple high demand and high sell price materials, no overlaps but there’s little traffic.

hip 61385

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Valhaling

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NB! There are no overlapping hotspots in Valhaling 2. Fleet carriers belonging to the local minor faction are often stationed in the system. They buy the painite at just above galactic average so it’s a quick trip from the hotspot to the carriers. The minor faction ruling the system is Galactic Vikings, their carriers have…

Shapsugabus

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This site is in the same system as a high demand high buy price station for monazite (reinhold dock). System is high population with medium security.

COL 132 SECTOR AG-I B25-0

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Eng: Easy. Outside the bubble. No NPCs. On the Guardian route “Eta Carina Sector EL-Y d16” Ita: Facile. Fuori bolla. No NPC. Sulla rotta Guardian “Eta Carina Sector EL-Y d16”

Guttors

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You currently have guttors abc 2 listed as a double rhodplumsite, but it isn’t. Its a double overlap alexandrite.

Eol Prou IW-W E1-859

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Multiple OverLaps (Platinum/Painite)

eeshoqs mn-k c24-28

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Deep space carrier refuel point on near direct path to galactic core.

Voqooe PX-J c25-68

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Just to log a deep space Tritium hotspot for possible carriers.

Spoihaae CK-Y c14-7

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Though the sites are very small, they are very dense with valuable Metals and Minerals.

Swoilz WD-T D3-5

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Lots of overlapping materials, notably a 2x Musgravite overlap, a 2x Alexandrite overlap, and a handful of mixed material hotspots as well.

Wregoe SD-A C1-0

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Double overlap of Void Opals, along with a couple of single Low Temp Diamonds hotspots and 2 Alexandrite hotspots.

Wregoe JB-K c10-1

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There is triple alexandrite overlap and double benitoite overlap

HIP 103571

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It’s in the middle of nowhere, there’s little traffic, and close to starting systems for new players. Rhoduplumsite is on the outer ring, Platinum, Painite, and Serendibite are on the inner ring with an overlap between Platinum and Serendibite. I don’t know what kind of mining is required, but I was just exploring and found…

HIP 278 13 A

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1OOt per hr averaging finding a core every 7-12min with constant med to high yields per core. No harassment from NPCs, very quiet neighbourhood Double overlap Rhodplumsite with multiple spots of others, also A7 is loaded but no over laps

LHS 277

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Double Alexandrite, triple bromellite. For some reason game system map shows only 2 rings, but there is only 1.

COL 285 Sector AI-H C11-6

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Various extremely valuable minerals and a Tritium / LTD overlap. No screenshot available.

Furuhjelm III-674

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Lots of Hotspots for different mining possibilities, with lots of Fleet Carriers that resotck limpets. Not far from good selling spots as well. P.S. The double overlap is benitonite.

Flyaurps GH-L b22-0

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A little signal is inside a bigger one, so going near the small tritium spot guarantee to have best mining.

EOL PROU TD-R C5-327

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tight grandidierite overlap close to colonia

EOL PROU LW-L C8-324

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if you are out in the colonia area and want to do some mining this is only 7.17LYs from colonia

Droju MZ-I c12-4

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Lots of overlaps, really far out in the galaxy but tons of stuff to mine with a carrier with no one in sight to bother you

Hypau Chruia OZ-S b58-10

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Of the four overlaps, the two in the middle are tritium hotspots, perfect for Fleet Carrier refueling.

Phrio Phoea RG-J d10-20

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Double overlap Monazite, double overlap Serendibite.

Eol Prou OH-K C9-254

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Its the second spot in the Eol Prou OH-K C9-254 System that I have found, only ~300 Ls further out. When paired with the Belt around Planet 3 you can find nearly all rare resources in the system, with the exception of Tritium, although I haven’t finished scanning yet so that might change.

Eol Prou OH-K C9-254

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Right on the doorstep to Colonia, with lots of resources to mine and even two Overlaps as far as I could see. Not too far from the jump in point and quite quiet.

Eol Prou EV-E C12-132

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There are two overlapping spots rather close to the jump in point of the system. For any miner located around Colonia this is quite a good system to have since its round about 4 jumps from Colonia, depending on ship.

HIP 98723

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32.88ly away from Omicron Capricorni B system. 2:VOID OPALS , 1 TRITIUM.

Elite Dangerous General Mining Overview

The below is a general overview that should explain the basics of mining and how to get started. To offer you as many resources as possible, here is a growing community driven Google document that thoroughly explains mining in Elite Dangerous. Click here to check out the document by /u/ED_Churly.

  • Mining in Elite Dangerous is a complex and multifaceted game mechanic. It ties into player skill, game markets prices, and now with Fleet Carriers, user driven economies.
  • There are risks, and rewards, and the possibility for many experiences that are truly unique and authentic.
  • Some players hate mining. I however, along with many others, find it, well, relaxing and rewarding.
  • Be sure to check out the other top links to learn about the different aspects of mining, such as the mechanics, the equipment needed, the locations to mine, the risks of doing so, and the rewards that wait at the other end.
  • In summary, some ringed planets in the game Elite Dangerous have what are called Hotspots. While in the lowest Supercruise speed possible within range of the rings, Hotspots are only revealed by a Detailed Discovery Scanner (a special module that takes an Optional Slot).
  • These Hotspots contain millions of asteroids and correspond to areas that can be mined.
  • The name of the Hotspot indicates the material you will expect to find there.
  • The spot isn't limited to only that material, but does mean chances of finding that material are higher.
  • For example, overlapping LTD (Low Temperature Diamond) Hotspots are highly desired because the prices seem to fluctuate between 1 and 1.6 million credits per ton.
  • All forms of mining (Laser, Subsurface and Core) are profitable and quick because the probability of occurrence of asteroids you can mine stack with overlapping Hostspots.

Below is an example of what overlapping Hotspots look like.

Hotspot on planetary rings in Elite Dangerous
  • You enter Hotspots in Supercruise and need to slow down before you hit the ring to avoid hull damage.
  • Then you must take a small trip to the ring plane where you scan the surrounding asteroids with a Pulse Wave Scanner (another needed module that takes up a Utility Slot).
  • When the pulse is given, the asteroids that light up yellow or orange will have something to offer, the amount it has to offer, and how that asteroid should be mined to maximize its yield.
  • All are different and typically correspond to the color the asteroid reflects, as well as the shape.
  • For example, as of this guide, Icy core asteroids (ones you need to blow up) only have 1 shape.

The image below is a good example of the type of shape and color that will come with it. Notice the 'popcorn' shape. Mainly round and lumpy. Keep in mind this is an image of Ice based Asteroid. Metal-based are slightly different but with the same idea.

icy-core-asteroid-elite-dangerous

Here is a closer view of a Core Asteroid and its color. Notice it is lumpy and round-ish compared to other asteroids in the background. Take, for example, the asteroid to the left. It is more football-shaped with striations.

bright-reflection-from-core-asteroids
  • Once you find an asteroid you want to explore further, you fire a Prospector Limpet at the asteroid.
  • When you launch the prospector limpet you need to target the Prospector Limpet as it flies until it hits the asteroid, or target the limpet after it has scanned the asteroid.
firing-prospector-limpet

Once you hear “Asteroid Scan Complete” you can see what the asteroid holds in the bottom left of your screen.

asteroid-being-scanned
  • You’ll also want to check your Contact Tab in the Navigation Panel to see if there are any Surface Deposits, Subsurface Deposits, and/or what Fissures are available to set charges in (more on this later).
  • The information yielded from the prospector limpet lets you know what this asteroid holds.
  • Now you must engage in that particular form of mining to extract the material (read the Mechanics Tab). Keep in mind, that this won't always be the case.
  • These types of asteroids represent the minority of the ones that you'll scan. You'll have many false positives or low yields. This is a natural part of the mechanic, you have to find the asteroids.

In the screenshot below you can see the 8 Fissures you have to work with to crack the asteroid. This is Core Mining.

low-strength-asteroid-fissures
  • As the material is extracted from the asteroid you’ll fire Collector Limpets to pick up the fragments (you’ll have to open your Cargo Hatch).
  • Regardless of whether you Laser Mine, use Subsurface Displacement Missiles, or Seismic Charges, in all cases, you are producing Fragments.
  • You’ll open your Cargo Hatch and let the Collector Limpets bring you the fragments produced.
  • When the limpets deposit the fragments they initially deposit the fragments in a Refinery.
  • Mining is impossible without a Refinery.
caro-hold-inventory-screen-elite-dangerous

Further down the list, it appears we also have a Subsurface Deposit of Tritium on this Low-Temperature Diamond Core asteroid. So this particular asteroid allows me to mine for Fleet Carrier fuel as well as high paying credit tonnage.

You must mine the Surface and Subsurface Deposits first, then engage in Core Mining and set charges. In that order, you can maximize things. Blowing up the asteroid removed your Subsurface Displacement Missile option since that fracture gets destroyed on detonation.

tritium-sub-surface-deposit
  • When you determine how to mine the asteroid each method will require a degree of skill.
  • Laser is easiest
  • Core is next
  • Subsurface perhaps the hardest.
  • The last two are debatable, but that is this author’s take.

Below is an asteroid with armed charges about to blow. Keep your distance! (1000km is a good rule). Keep in mind one asteroid can be mined in all three major ways, explained on the Mechanics Link.

proof-two-motherlodes-can-coexist

Charges detonated. Seriously, keep your distance, or rely on the shield. Not a bad idea to put full pips to Systems.

asteroid-blowing-up
elite-dangerous-core-asteroid-blowing-up-edmining

Once fragments are free, either by Abrasion Blaster, Sub Surface Displacement Mining, or fragments removed from a Core explosion, this is where your limpets come into play. Fire limpets to collect your cargo.

elite-dangerous-mining-mechanics
  • The Refinery takes the fragments and converts them into the material you want.
  • For example, If core mining 3 or 4 LTD fragments usually equals 1 refined LTD, which is what you can sell.
  • If you are laser mining a low percentage asteroid, over a dozen fragments may not equal even 1 piece of refined material.
  • Point here is not all fragments are made equal.
  • You can not sell the fragments, only collect and refine them, or you can clear out your Refinery if you choose, but you’ll lose those fragments.
  • Also, when scanned, fragments will not show as cargo.
  • The size of the Refinery dictates the number of ‘bins’ or extra slots that can be held.
  • As material gets refined it removes the fragments from the Refinery and deposits the refined material in your available cargo space.
low-temprature-diamonds-refined
  • Once done if scanned a pirate can now see you have valuable cargo.
  • When your cargo hold is full, then no more fragments can be deposited, but the Refinery can still work and convert fragments to the material.
  • This can happen until all the bins or extra slots in the Refinery are full.
  • When this occurs you’ll see Resource Unallocated.
  • Oftentimes abandoning limpets (versus jettisoning, since active limpets will try to recapture anything jettisoned vs abandoned) gives more space for the Refinery to dump its refined material into.
  • This process is effectively repeated until your hold is full.
  • If you have a Fleet Carrier then you can land there and store your material.
  • If you do not own a Fleet Carrier or have access to one then you’ll need to sell your LTD’s to the highest paying station.
  • EDDB.io is a good place to go to learn where to sell. https://eddb.io/commodity/276
  • Fly to the needed station to sell your cargo.

Below is a screenshot of a Billion Credit turn in!

rewards-of-mining-in-elite-dangerous
  • During your journey to sell your cargo, you can expect interdictions and resistance from those both real and NPC players trying to steal it from you.
  • You can either comply and pay the demand, run, fight or die and lose it all.
  • If you choose not to sell and carry this with you everywhere you go you’ll be pestered by many many pirates.
  • It is recommended to play in Solo Mode while transporting cargo to a station. This removes the uncertainty of real players interdicting you, you’ll likely have cargo that is worth it.

If you choose to do this in Open Mode then play with honor and do not Combat Log (quite the game to avoid destruction). Playing in Open Mode is your declaration you are open to that kind of risk and the excitement and gameplay it brings. If that feels like it will piss you off then play in Solo Mode.

This concludes the Elite Dangerous Mining Overview Page. Be sure to check out the other links, this was only the beginning.