Your first miner line sets the pattern for every factory after it: mine a node, smelt the ore, belt the output to storage. Getting this rhythm right early saves hours later.
Why this matters
Almost every production chain starts with ore. A clean first line teaches the miner-to-smelter-to-belt flow that all later lines copy.
Step-by-step
- Find an iron or copper node near your starting area.
- Place a miner on the node and note its output rate.
- Belt the ore to smelters close by.
- Feed ingots into storage containers.
- Connect the smelters to your power grid.
- Check that ingots flow without backing up.
- Copy the pattern for the second node.
Tips
- Put smelters within belt reach of the miner
- One miner can feed several smelters on a pure node
- Use short belts to reduce clutter
- Leave room to expand the line
Practical notes
The first line teaches the pattern every later line copies: mine, smelt, belt, store. Put the smelters within belt reach of the miner and keep the belts short, because clutter compounds. Check that ingots flow without backing up before you walk away, since a silent stall wastes an hour of production.
Copy the pattern for the second node rather than reinventing it, and keep the storage container close so hand-hauling stays short. Connect the smelters to power before you leave, and note the miner output rate for later ratio math. This rhythm is the whole game in miniature.
Check that ingots flow without backing up before you walk away.
Connect the smelters to power before you leave, and note the miner rate for later.
Common mistakes
- Smelters placed too far from the miner
- Forgetting to power the smelters
- No container to catch overflow
- Mining a depleted node