Drill & Mining Guide
Mining is a core progression system in Scrap Mechanic, especially after the 1.0 Drilling Thunder update which introduced a full underground world with rich ore veins. This guide covers handheld drills, vehicle-mounted drilling rigs, ore distribution, and the plasma drill.
Mining System Explained
In Scrap Mechanic, mining involves extracting ore and minerals from rock formations. The 1.0 update expanded mining significantly with the underground mine, new ore types, and vehicle-mounted drilling systems.
- Surface mining — Basic stone and ore deposits found in deserts and mountains
- Underground mining — Rich ore veins in the Abandoned Mine (1.0 new)
- Handheld tools — Sledgehammer (basic), Hand Drill (faster), Plasma Drill (fastest)
- Vehicle-mounted — Large drills connected to engines for industrial mining
- Refining — Raw ore must be refined at a Refinebot before use
Handheld vs Vehicle-Mounted Drills
| Type | Speed | Fuel/Power | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sledgehammer | Very Slow | None | Early game, small amounts | Cheap (starting tool) |
| Hand Drill | Medium | Gasoline | Mid-game, moderate mining | Medium (craftable) |
| Plasma Drill | Fast | Battery/Fuel | Late game, efficient mining | High (rare schematic) |
| Vehicle-Mounted Drill | Very Fast | Vehicle engine | Industrial mining, large veins | High (vehicle + drill) |
Ore Distribution by Depth
Different ores are found at different depths in the underground mine:
| Depth Level | Ore Type | Abundance | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface (0-5m) | Basic Stone, Sand | Very High | Building, basic crafting |
| Shallow (5-20m) | Iron Ore, Copper Ore | High | Basic metal parts, tools |
| Medium (20-50m) | Steel Ore, Rare Metal | Medium | Advanced parts, vehicle components |
| Deep (50m+) | Platinum, Exotic Minerals | Low | End-game crafting, rare items |
Mining Vehicle Construction
A dedicated mining vehicle is the most efficient way to gather ore in the underground. Here's how to build one:
Essential Components
- Heavy chassis — Reinforced frame to handle drilling vibration
- Large engine — Powers both the vehicle and the drill
- Drill mount — Front or rear-mounted bracket for the drill
- 6WD or tracks — Maximum traction on uneven mine floors
- Large fuel tank — Drilling consumes fuel quickly
- Lighting — Multiple headlights and work lights (the mine is dark)
- Cargo area — Storage for mined ore
- Reinforced armor — Protect the engine and driver from underground bots
Drill Connection Setup
- Mount the drill on the front or rear of the vehicle
- Connect the drill to the engine using the Connection Tool
- Add a toggle switch on the driver seat to activate/deactivate the drill
- For adjustable height, connect the drill mount to a piston controlled by the seat
- Test by driving into a rock face with the drill active
Mining Vehicle Tips
- Front-mounted drill — Easier to aim, but blocks your view
- Rear-mounted drill — Better visibility, drive backward to mine
- Adjustable height — Use a piston to raise/lower the drill for different vein heights
- Wide drill array — Mount multiple drills side by side for wider tunnels
- Backup power — Carry spare fuel or a secondary engine
Ore Refining
Raw ore must be refined before it can be used in crafting:
- Gather raw ore from mining
- Transport to a Refinebot (at Mechanic Stations or the underground mine)
- Place raw ore in the Refinebot input
- Wait for the refining process (faster in 1.0 than Early Access)
- Collect refined materials from the output
In the 1.0 update, refining speed has been improved. You can also build automated refining setups using vacuum pipes to feed ore directly from a storage container to the Refinebot.
Plasma Drill Acquisition
The Plasma Drill is the most advanced handheld mining tool. It cuts through rock quickly and efficiently.
- How to get — Found in deep underground treasure rooms, or crafted after unlocking the Schematic Box
- Schematic location — Rare Schematic Box in the deepest parts of the Abandoned Mine
- Power source — Uses batteries or a portable power pack
- Advantages — Fastest mining speed, cuts through all ore types, compact size
- Disadvantages — High power consumption, rare/expensive to craft
Underground Mine Survival
The Abandoned Mine is dangerous. Follow these tips to survive:
- Bring plenty of light — The mine is completely dark. Vehicle lights + handheld flashlights.
- Watch for underground bots — Miner Bots, Sentry Bots, and Swarm Bots are all hostile
- Mark your path — Place signs or torches to avoid getting lost in the tunnels
- Bring spare fuel — Running out of fuel underground is a death sentence
- Don't dig straight down — You might break into a bot-infested cavern or fall into a pit
- Bring food and weapons — Combat is frequent; health doesn't regenerate
- Set a spawn point — Place a bed near the mine entrance before descending
- Know when to retreat — If your vehicle is damaged or fuel is low, return to the surface
Mining Tips & Tricks
- Mine in a grid pattern — Systematically tunnel through areas to find all ore veins
- Follow the veins — Ore often appears in veins; if you find one, keep digging in that direction
- Use the terrain to your advantage — Natural caves and tunnels expose ore without digging
- Upgrade your drill — A better drill = faster mining = more ore per trip
- Build an outpost — A small base near the mine entrance for storage, fuel, and repairs
- Automate with vacuum pipes — Use vacuum pumps to transport ore from mine to storage automatically
- Mine with friends — In multiplayer, one person drives while another operates the drill
- Check behind you — Underground bots can sneak up while you're focused on mining
Related Guides
- World Map & Resource Distribution — Find the best mining locations
- Vehicle & Truck Building — Build a mining vehicle
- Vacuum Pump & Fluid Guide — Automated ore transport and refining
- Bots & Enemies Reference — Underground bot types and combat strategies