Discover Copper Collection and Its Uses in No Man’s Sky

In the vast universe of No Man’s Sky, certain resources are rarely needed, while others are essential. Copper stands out as a resource you will frequently seek for multiple reasons.

Copper serves various purposes and can be collected in numerous ways. Although you’ll need a significant amount, it’s relatively simple to gather large quantities at once if you know where to look and how to optimize your time effectively.

How To Get Copper

Copper is typically found on planets, provided those planets are consistent in one aspect.

Finding Copper on Planets Orbiting Yellow Stars

Copper is found specifically on planets that orbit yellow stars. Different star classes host different resources, so you won’t generally find copper on planets orbiting stars of a different category.

You can identify star colors using the Galaxy Map before jumping into another system.

When you land on a planet orbiting a yellow star, use your visor to scan for resource deposits. Once you pinpoint a deposit, mark its location on your HUD. Use your Terrain Manipulator in Mine mode to gather copper once you reach the deposit.

Purchasing Copper from Galactic Trade Terminals

Some Galactic Trade Terminals may sell copper for around 56 Credits. While this price is fairly low in less inflated systems, gathering copper yourself is generally more efficient unless you’re in a hurry.

Certain minerals, especially those found in caves, might also contain copper as a secondary resource. However, this method is not reliable or common since these occurrences are quite rare. When it does happen, it can provide a nice surplus of copper for your future needs.

To find out if a mineral contains copper, scan it with your visor. The scan results will show which elements it provides. With experience, you’ll quickly learn which minerals are valuable and which are not.

Automating Copper Collection

You can also collect copper using Autonomous Mining Units and Mineral Extractors. Each requires specific resource nodes to function, but both options allow you to accumulate copper passively while you focus on other tasks.

For the Mineral Extractor, you’ll need to locate a Deep-Level Mineral Deposit. Use the Survey modification on your Analysis Visor for this, which is different from gathering resources from the surface where Autonomous Mining Units can be utilized.

How To Create Copper in a Refiner

Copper can also be synthesized in a Refiner, although this method is not very practical. If you have an excess of chromatic metal and want to double your copper stock, you can use this recipe:

• x1 Copper + x1 Chromatic Metal = 2x Copper

What Is Copper Used For?

Copper plays a role in many crafting recipes. You’ll use copper to upgrade specific modules on your suit or multi-tool, and also for creating unique items such as Bronze Statues and the initial AtlasPass.

You can refine copper into other materials; notably, you can convert copper into chromatic metal, or combine it with other similar metals for additional chromatic metal recipes.

Crafting Recipes that Require Copper

Here are several crafting recipes that utilize copper:

Refining Recipes that Involve Copper

Here’s what you can create by refining copper: