Finding and Mining Ferrium Ore in Arknights Endfield
Discover where to find Ferrium Ore in Arknights Endfield and learn how to set up automated mining operations for this essential early-game material.
Ferrium Ore stands out as one of those materials you’ll desperately need early on, especially when you’re trying to craft blue-rarity gear pieces that give your Operators a serious power boost. The tricky part? Many players reach the point where they can craft Ferrium equipment before actually stumbling upon any mining spots for this resource.
Getting started with resource gathering and base management? Head over to our Arknights Endfield guides hub for comprehensive tutorials covering all aspects of the game.

Where to Find Your First Ferrium Deposits
Your initial Ferrium source sits surprisingly close to home. Head east from your Core AIC Area in Valley IV, following the road that climbs toward the upper plateau. You’ll spot a Ferrium field near a teleport point in that elevated section.
This single deposit won’t satisfy your crafting needs for long. Once you’ve exhausted this spot or need a more substantial supply, you’ll want to push toward the Originium Science Park.
The Science Park contains at least three confirmed Ferrium fields, possibly more waiting to be discovered. The most accessible deposit sits right beside the main road near the park entrance, making it easy to locate once you’ve gained access to the area.
Reaching the Originium Science Park requires story progression through Act 1. You’ll naturally arrive here as the main questline directs you there, opening access to these richer mining opportunities.
For more location-specific guides, check out our resources on finding Red Bolete and solving the Quarry Rescue door puzzle.

Setting Up Automated Ferrium Mining
Standard mining equipment won’t work for Ferrium extraction. This mineral requires an Electric Mining Rig Mk. II, which becomes available after unlocking the Mining III node in your AIC Index menu—essentially your factory technology tree.
Accessing this third tier of Basic AIC Index options requires pushing through enough main story content first. The game gates this progression naturally, ensuring you’ve learned the fundamentals before tackling advanced resource automation.
Here’s an important setup requirement: automated mining depends on your power network coverage. You’ll need to construct and connect Power Relays across the map to extend electricity to remote mining sites. Without proper power infrastructure, your expensive mining rigs become decorative paperweights.
Need help managing your power systems? Our guides on increasing power output and battery production cover energy management thoroughly.

Crafting Your Electric Mining Rig Mk. II
Building this advanced miner requires specific components:
- 1 Portable Originium Rig (costs 5 Origocrusts to make)
- 10 Ferrium Parts
This creates a catch-22 situation—you need processed Ferrium to build the machine that automatically mines Ferrium. The solution? Manual mining to bootstrap your automation.
Grab your pickaxe and manually harvest enough Ferrium Ore to process through a Refining Unit and Fitting Unit. Once you’ve crafted the required Ferrium Parts, you can build your first Mk. II rig and let automation take over.
The Mk. II version offers modestly improved output compared to standard mining rigs but consumes an additional 5 power units during operation. If you’re planning to upgrade your entire mining fleet to Mk. II models, first ensure your power infrastructure can handle the increased demand.
For managing your expanding factory operations, explore our guides on expanding Core AIC area and Quick Stash systems.
Resource Management Strategy
Smart Ferrium management separates efficient players from those constantly struggling with material shortages. Here’s how to optimize your operation:
Prioritize crafting your first Mk. II rig quickly. The sooner you automate Ferrium collection, the sooner you can focus on other progression tasks instead of manual mining runs.
Don’t immediately upgrade all mining rigs. Start with one or two Mk. II units on your richest deposits, then expand as your power generation catches up. Wholesale replacement without adequate electricity leaves your operation worse off than before.
Balance Ferrium processing with storage capacity. Running multiple miners without sufficient storage means wasted collection time when your containers fill up. Plan your logistics chains carefully.
Consider Ferrium’s role in your overall gear progression. While blue-rarity equipment provides substantial early benefits, you’ll eventually transition to higher tiers. Don’t over-invest in Ferrium infrastructure beyond your actual needs.
For character progression strategies, check out our guides on leveling and promoting characters, Endministrator team builds, and Laevatain compositions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Many players make the same mistakes when starting Ferrium operations. Avoid these issues:
Insufficient power planning – Building miners before establishing adequate power generation creates frustrating bottlenecks. Survey your power capacity before placing new rigs.
Ignoring power relay networks – Remote mining sites need electricity. Forgetting to extend your power grid to distant Ferrium fields means your expensive equipment sits idle.
Manual mining dependency – Some players avoid the initial manual mining required to craft their first Mk. II rig, delaying automation unnecessarily. Bite the bullet and gather that first batch by hand.
Overextending early – Trying to exploit every Ferrium field simultaneously strains resources. Focus on one or two productive sites initially, then expand methodically.
For optimization tips across different systems, explore our resources on game settings, elemental reactions, and stats mechanics.
Getting Started with Arknights Endfield
New to the game? Download Arknights Endfield from the official website, pick it up on Google Play, or grab it through the Epic Games Store.
For additional gameplay assistance, check out our guides on switching Endministrators, rerolling strategies, and redeem codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mine Ferrium without an Electric Mining Rig Mk. II?
Yes, you can always mine Ferrium manually by approaching deposits and gathering ore with basic tools. However, automated mining saves enormous amounts of time and effort once you’ve unlocked the appropriate technology. The Mk. II rig requirement only applies to automation, manual collection works from the moment you discover Ferrium fields.
How much Ferrium do I need for early-game progression?
Expect to need several dozen Ferrium Ore initially for crafting your first set of blue-rarity gear across multiple Operators. Building your first Electric Mining Rig Mk. II requires 10 Ferrium Parts (which processes from raw ore), plus you’ll need ongoing supplies for equipment upgrades. Setting up two automated miners typically provides enough throughput for steady early-game progression.
What happens if I run out of Ferrium in Valley IV before reaching the Science Park?
The Valley IV deposit should provide enough material to craft basic gear and your first mining rig if you manage resources carefully. If you somehow exhaust it prematurely, manual mining from small scattered deposits can tide you over, or you can push the main story faster to reach the Science Park’s more abundant fields.
Is upgrading to Mk. II mining rigs worth the power cost?
The modest output increase from Mk. II rigs generally justifies the extra 5 power units, especially on rich deposits where higher throughput matters most. However, balance your upgrades against your total power capacity, running three standard rigs beats having two Mk. II units sitting offline because you lack electricity. Prioritize power infrastructure expansion alongside mining upgrades.