Resource Mining and Energy in Xterium — How Mines Work

Xterium's entire economy is based on three resources—metal, crystal, and deuterium—and on the energy that powers the mines. Let's take a closer look at exactly how production grows and why everything grinds to a halt without energy. The numbers are taken from the game's code.

Where do these numbers come from? The production values, base income, and energy shortage rule are taken directly from the game engine. Step-by-step development tips can be found in the guide “How to Develop the Economy”; the mine cards themselves are in the encyclopedia.

Production increases with the mine's level

Each level of the mine increases the hourly output. In the game code, the output values for each level are defined by a table—that is, these are not “approximate” figures, but exact numbers predefined for each level.

For a metal mine, for example, the hourly output by level looks like this (before bonuses):

Metal, crystal, and deuterium mines can be upgraded up to level 65. Crystal and deuterium are mined more slowly than metal, so crystal is always in slightly shorter supply.

Basic Income: The planet provides something even without mines

Even on a barren planet, there is a small basic income:

• Metal — 4 per hour
• Crystal — 2.66 per hour
• Deuterium — 0 (deuterium cannot be produced without a synthesizer)

This helps at the start, but only fully upgraded mines contribute to the real economy.

Energy: Without it, the mines operate at half capacity

This is the biggest pitfall for beginners. Every mine consumes energy. Energy is supplied by a solar power plant, a thermal power plant, and solar satellites. If there isn't enough energy, output drops in proportion to the shortfall.

The rule in the engine is simple:

Performance level = available energy ÷ required energy (but no more than 100%).

Examples:

• There is enough energy (production ≥ consumption) → the mines are operating at 100% capacity.
• Energy is only 60% of what is needed → all mines are operating at 60% capacity.
• Energy 0 → Production almost stops (only base income remains).

The shortage is cutting into the production of metal, crystal, deuterium, and science all at once. Therefore, the power plant must be kept at a level that covers all the mines with a margin.

Characteristics of Energy

• The solar power plant is the main source of power at the start; it is reliable.
• A thermal power plant—produces more as energy research advances, but consumes deuterium.
• Solar satellites are inexpensive, but their power output depends on how close the planet is to its star: the closer the orbit, the more energy a single satellite can generate (and conversely, on distant, cold planets, satellites are almost useless).

How to Apply This

• First, energy; then, the mines. Once you've upgraded the mine, check to see if you have enough energy—otherwise, you won't get the bonus.
• The crystal mine is a bottleneck. Keep the crystal mine no much lower than the metal mine.
• Deuterium is needed sooner than you might think—for the navy and thermal power plants. Where is the best place to extract it? Find out in the article “Temperature and Deuterium”].
• A complete step-by-step plan can be found in the guide “How to Develop the Economy”].

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum level for mines in Xterium? Metal, crystal, and deuterium mines—up to level 65. Each level increases the hourly yield according to the in-game table.

What will happen to the harvest if there is a power shortage? Production is reduced in proportion to the energy shortage: work rate = available energy ÷ required energy (but no more than 100%). When energy is at 60%, all mines operate at 60% capacity.

Is there any income without mines? Yes, the base income is low: 4 metal per hour, 2.66 crystals per hour. Deuterium cannot be mined without a synthesizer (0).

What to Read Next

• Temperature and Deuterium
• Warehouses and Looting
• How to Develop the Economy
• [](/knowledge/encyclopedia/resources)'s Resources in the Encyclopedia]