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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To get Minerals in The Alters, collect small surface deposits, hand-drill finite shallow deposits, and set up a powered Mining Outpost at deep deposits. Use the scanner to find the outpost placement site, then connect it to your base with pylons. Deposit locations vary by act, so follow a route for your current act rather than relying on one location for the whole game.
Where to find Minerals in The Alters
Minerals come from three kinds of deposits. Surface deposits offer a quick pickup, shallow deposits can be drilled by hand for a finite supply, and deep deposits are mined through an outpost. The act-specific location guide from PCGamesN distinguishes these routes, but does not establish one site that works in every act: PCGamesN’s Minerals guide was published June 18, 2025.
- Surface deposits: Pick up small deposits you encounter while exploring.
- Shallow deposits: Hand-drill these for an immediate reserve; each deposit is finite.
- Deep deposits: Find the placement point with your scanner, then build and power a Mining Outpost there.
How to mine a deep deposit
Prepare before you leave
Bring the materials needed to build a Mining Outpost and several pylons. The Epic Games Store guide recommends preparing these in advance so you do not have to return to base for missing supplies: Epic’s beginner’s guide to The Alters.
Find the outpost placement point
Explore the resource area and use the scanner’s scan-wave function to locate the correct spot for the Mining Outpost. In Act 1, higher ground within deposit zones can help narrow the search, according to Epic’s guide.
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Build the outpost and connect it
Place the Mining Outpost at the deposit, then link it to your base with pylons. The connection supplies power so the outpost can produce resources; it also creates a route back to the area, as described in the Epic guide.
Assign an Alter if you want to delegate
The Epic guide says you can assign an Alter to mining, leaving you free to focus on exploration or other base tasks. It does not establish a universal mining rate, so do not rely on a specific yield or production time without checking your current game version and difficulty.
Rank #2
- ENGAGING STRATEGY: Immerse yourself in the world of Stone Age, a captivating worker placement game that challenges you to build your civilization through strategic decision-making.
- LIMITED SPACES: Navigate limited board spaces as you place figures and gather resources, requiring careful planning to optimize your actions each round.
- RESOURCE GATHERING: Gather resources, construct buildings, and advance your tribe's culture in order to create the most advanced civilization.
- BALANCE AND CHOICE: Strike the perfect balance between development, resource management, and food sustainability to lead your people to prosperity.
- THEMED IMMERSION: Experience thematic engagement through unique artwork, transporting you to the prehistoric era and enhancing your gaming experience.
Which Mineral route should you use?
| Route | How it works | Best use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface deposit | Pick up a small deposit during exploration. | Adding Minerals while passing through an area. | Provides a pickup rather than a sustained outpost operation. |
| Shallow deposit | Hand-drill the deposit. | Getting an immediate reserve without building an outpost. | The deposit is finite. |
| Deep deposit | Use the scanner to find the placement point, build a Mining Outpost, and connect it to base with pylons. | Setting up ongoing production from a deposit. | Requires preparation and construction before production; the sources do not establish comparative yields. |
What Minerals are used for
Minerals are needed for base facilities including the Social Room and Infirmary, according to GamesRadar’s guide: GamesRadar’s guide to Minerals in The Alters. The official PlayStation game page describes the wider loop of gathering resources, crafting, building a base, surviving, and managing Alters: The Alters on PlayStation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use a route for your current act
Mineral deposit locations change by act. Check a location guide that matches the act you are playing, and use the map for that act; a landmark or route from an earlier act should not be treated as universal. The available guides do not establish exact yields across acts, difficulty settings, or game patches.
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Quick Recap
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- Beautifully Designed and Illustrated: Designed by Travis P Jones. Illustrated by Robert Leask.
- Mechanisms: Real-Time, Deck Construction, Worker Placement, and Variable Player Powers.
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Rank #3
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- PICK AND PASS: Each player starts with a hand of 10 cards, and chooses one card to place in front of them. They then pass the rest of their hand to the player on their right, where they continue playing and passing cards until every card is used. Your goal is to match the positive and negative charges on your cards to create neutrally charged compounds, scoring points.
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- RADIOACTIVE CARD GAME: Also included is a harder difficulty which includes radioactivity. Recommended for more experience players and a party of 4+ people. This advanced game requires players to manage radioactive decay along with the radioactivity of other players. These cards score points at the end of each round, and additional points are given to the player(s) with the most decay at the end of the game. Step up your game with this challenging card game!
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