Best Ore Farm Setup in Arknights Endfield (March 2026) Complete Walkthrough

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
February 3, 2026
Gaming

Welcome to the industrial frontier of Arknights: Endfield. If you’ve been spending hours in the “Industry” mode staring at ore nodes, wondering why your resource stockpiles aren’t growing, you aren’t alone. Unlike the traditional base management in the original Arknights, Endfield throws you into a 3D world where logistics, automation, and real-time crafting are key.

In this comprehensive guide, I’m going to break down exactly how to set up the most efficient auto-mining ore farms and crafting lines. Whether you are struggling with power consumption or just want your factory to run like clockwork while you sleep, I’ve got you covered. We will cover everything from the initial surveying of nodes to advanced automation logic that doubles your output.

Quick Overview: Industry Essentials

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, here is a quick reference table for the core resources you will be automating and their primary uses.

Ore Type	Primary Location	Main Use	Automation Difficulty
U-Metal	Standard Mining Nodes	Basic Construction, Weaponry	Low
Grindsteel	Deep Mining Zones	High-Durability Armor	Medium
Polymer	Chemical Plants	Operator Chips, Advanced Tech	High
Optimized Originium	Rare Nodes	Endgame Upgrades, Skills	Very High
Bipolar Nanoflake	Hazardous Zones	Elite 2 Promotions	Extreme

Table: Overview of key ores and their automation difficulty in March 2026.

Understanding the Industry Mode in Arknights Endfield

To master auto-mining, we first need to understand the engine that drives it: The Industry Mode. This is not just a menu; it’s a live simulation.

When you deploy your rigs in Endfield, you aren’t just assigning numbers to a room. You are placing physical structures in a 3D environment. The flow of resources relies on three pillars:

Extraction (Mining): Getting the ore out of the ground.
Logistics (Transport): Moving ore from Point A to Point B.
Processing (Crafting): Turning raw ore into usable materials.

In my experience, most players fail at step 2. They build massive drills but forget that the transport belts can’t handle the throughput. We will fix that today.

Step 1: Prerequisites for Auto-Mining

Before you place your first drill, ensure you have the following unlocked. If you are early in the game, focus on pushing the main story until Chapter 2-4, where basic automation unlocks.

Industry Level 3: Required to build Automated Logistics Drones.
Power Grid: Ensure you have at least 500kW surplus power. Mining drains energy fast.
Storage Containers: You cannot auto-mine into nothingness; you need space.
Surveying Data: Always use a map ping to check the purity of the ore vein before building. High purity veins regenerate faster.

Step 2: Finding and Surveying the Best Ore Nodes

You can’t build the best farm on a mediocre vein. Finding the right spot is half the battle.

The “Triangle Method” for Node Placement

When you enter a mining zone, open your tactical map. Look for clusters of ore nodes. The most efficient layout allows a single smelter or processing plant to service three nodes at once.

Ping the Nodes: Use your scanner to see the respawn rate.
Check for Obstacles: Avoid placing farms near steep cliffs or water. Your logistics drones have limited flight paths.
Prioritize “Rich” Veins: A Rich U-Metal vein gives 150% yield. It is always better to build one high-yield farm than three low-yield ones to save on maintenance costs.

Pro Tip: Don’t ignore the “Hazard Level” of a zone. If the hazard is too high, your equipment will degrade faster, requiring constant repairs. Stick to Green or Yellow zones for permanent auto-farms.

Step 3: Setting Up the Mining Rigs

Now, let’s get to building. This is the core of the How to Set Up the Best Auto Mining Ore Farms process.

1. Placing the Drill

Select the MK-II Hydraulic Drill. It offers the best balance of power consumption and mining speed.

Orientation: Ensure the output port of the drill faces your logistics line. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many times I’ve built a drill facing a rock wall.
Buffer Zones: Leave one tile of space between drills. This prevents them from overheating each other and gives you room to upgrade later.

2. Power Management

Every drill needs power. Instead of running individual cables from the main base to every drill (which causes lag and power loss), build a Tesla Substation in the center of your mining cluster.

Daisy-Chaining: Connect drills to the substation, then the substation to the base.
Battery Banks: Always attach a battery bank to your mining grid. If your main base power dips (e.g., at night when solar isn’t working), the battery keeps the drills running, preventing reset timers.

3. Assigning Operators

This is where Arknights: Endfield differs from other factory games. Your operators boost efficiency.

Mining Operators: Assign operators with the “Excavation” skill. Characters like Mining Team Leader increase speed by 20%.
Duty Rosters: Don’t forget to set a duty roster. If an operator works for 24 hours straight, their efficiency drops by 50%. Set them to 12-hour shifts to maintain peak output.

Step 4: Logistics – The Heart of Automation

Getting the ore is step one. Moving it is where the magic happens. For the best auto-mining setup, I recommend a hybrid system: Belts for short distance, Drones for long distance.

Conveyor Belts vs. Drones

Feature	Conveyor Belts	Logistics Drones
Throughput	High (Constant flow)	Medium (Trip based)
Cost	Cheap (Passive)	Expensive (Energy)
Terrain	Flat ground only	Can fly over obstacles
Best Use	Moving from Drill -> Smelter	Moving from Smelter -> Storage

Setting Up the Hybrid System

Drill to Smelter: Use a Tier 2 Conveyor Belt. Connect the output of your 3 drills (using the Triangle Method) directly into the input of a Smelter.
Smelter to Base: Use a Drone Hub. Place the hub next to the smelter’s output. Set the destination to your Base Storage.
Traffic Control: If you notice drones circling without landing, your destination storage is full. Expand your storage capacity immediately, or the entire system jams.

Mistake to Avoid: Do not use drones to move raw ore from the drill to the smelter if the distance is under 20 tiles. The energy cost isn’t worth it. Belts are free to run!

Step 5: Crafting and Processing Automation

Once the ore reaches your base, it needs processing. Raw U-Metal is useless until it becomes Processed U-Metal Plates.

Optimizing the Crafting Queue

In your Crafting Terminal, you can queue up recipes. However, for true automation, you need to link the Crafting Station to your Logistics system.

Recipe Linking: Go to the Crafting Station menu. Select “Auto-Craft” and toggle on “Process All U-Metal.”
Thresholds: Set a threshold. For example, tell the system: “Keep 100 Raw Ore in reserve, process everything else.” This ensures you always have some raw materials for emergency repairs.
Multi-line Production: Don’t process everything in one line. If you have one massive smelter and it breaks down, you lose 100% production. Build three smaller smelters. If one breaks, you still have 66% efficiency.

Advanced Crafting: The Feedback Loop

To get the best gear, you need components that require other components.

Example: To make a Tactical Chip, you need Circuits. To make Circuits, you need Copper Wire.
The Chain: Set up a dedicated line for basic ingredients (Wire, Plates). Feed these into an intermediate storage buffer. Then, have your high-tier crafting machines pull from that buffer. This prevents your high-end machines from stopping because the basic machines are busy with something else.

Advanced Strategies for Maximum Efficiency

If you’ve followed the steps above, you have a working farm. Now, let’s make it the best.

The “Synchronized Burst” Method

Instead of running everything 24/7, consider the Synchronized Burst method if you are playing on a device with battery limits or performance issues.

Pause all non-essential logistics when you are offline.
Let raw ore pile up at the drill heads (they have internal storage).
When you log in, unpause. The massive flow of resources creates a “burst” that clears crafting queues instantly.
Pause again.

This reduces the total calculation time your device has to do, preventing lag in combat areas.

Utilizing the Weather System

Arknights: Endfield features dynamic weather. Certain weather conditions affect mining.

Rain: Increases cooling efficiency for machines. You can overclock drills during rain without overheating.
Storms: Interferes with Drone Logistics. Switch to belt-only transport during storms or your drones will be grounded.
Heatwaves: Machines overheat faster. Build extra heat vents or scale back production during heatwaves.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even the best setups run into problems. Here are the fixes for the most common headaches I see in the community.

Problem: My drills stopped working even though I have ore.

Solution: Check the Power Grid. You likely upgraded a weapon or defense tower that shares the grid, stealing power from the drills. Build a separate “Industrial Grid” just for your farms.

Problem: Resources are stuck on the belt.

Solution: You have a bottleneck. The belt is moving, but the machine at the end is full or slow. Insert a Splitter to divert half the flow to a temporary storage chest.

Problem: Drones are dying.

Solution: Drones have HP. If they are flying through a hazard zone or an enemy patrol, they will take damage. Route your drone paths around danger zones or build auto-turrets to protect the airspace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock auto-mining in Arknights Endfield?

Auto-mining functionality is unlocked by progressing through the main story campaign, typically around Chapter 2-4. You will also need to upgrade your Industry Base to Level 3 and construct the requisite Logistics Hub building to enable automated transport of goods.

Why is my ore farm not producing resources?

If your drills are placed but no ore is coming out, check three things: Power Supply (is the grid active?), Storage Space (is your output inventory full?), and Operator Assignment (do you have an operator assigned to man the drill?). Without an operator, many automated structures in Endfield will remain idle.

What is the best operator for mining efficiency?

While many operators have mining perks, those with the “Excavation” or “Industry Management” traits are the best. Specifically, operators who specialize in Construction or Logistics often provide passive buffs to mining speed and yield. Always check the operator’s detail screen for “Bonus to Mining Operations.”

Can I move my mining rigs after placing them?

Yes, but it costs resources. You can use the “Relocate” function in the build menu. However, doing so will destroy any attached logistics belts or pipes in the immediate radius. It is highly recommended to use the Map Planning Mode (a blue-print feature) to preview your layout before committing to construction.

How do I fix a logistics jam in my crafting line?

A logistics jam usually happens when input exceeds processing speed. To fix it, either upgrade the processing machine (e.g., build a second smelter) or use a Splitter on the conveyor belt to divert excess raw materials to a storage warehouse. Do not let raw ore pile up on the belt, or it will stop the flow.

Is it better to use belts or drones for transport?

It depends on distance and terrain. Use Belts for short, flat distances (high throughput, low cost). Use Drones for long distances, across water, or over obstacles (flexible, but energy-intensive). The most efficient bases use a hybrid of both.

Conclusion

Setting up the best auto-mining ore farms and crafting lines in Arknights: Endfield isn’t just about placing buildings; it’s about managing flow, energy, and logistics. By using the Triangle Method for node placement, balancing Belts and Drones, and assigning the right Operators to the right shifts, you can turn a messy mining operation into a pristine, self-sustaining empire.

Remember, the industrial landscape changes with updates. Hypergryph is constantly tweaking respawn rates and machine stats, so keep an eye on patch notes. Now, get out there, survey those nodes, and build the ultimate factory!