Gold
The dense, conductive metal that powers the colony's most advanced technology.
Gold is a dense, highly conductive metal found deep within the crust of the planet in Oxygen Not Included. While it holds no intrinsic biological value for Duplicants, its high density and conductivity make it an essential material for advanced engineering and power generation. It serves as the primary resource for constructing high-capacity batteries, efficient solar panels, and the critical components needed to unlock late-game technologies like the Deep Core Drilling Rig.
- Material Type
- Metal
- Primary Use
- Electronics & Power Storage
- Typical Location
- Deep Crust Biomes
- State at Room Temp
- Solid
- Conductivity
- High
- Density
- Very High
Lore & Background
For the Duplicant colonists, Gold represents the bridge between survival and expansion. Early colonies struggle to access it due to its depth, but once extracted, it revolutionizes their ability to store energy. The metal's properties allow for the creation of compact, high-efficiency batteries that can sustain operations during long periods without sunlight or when geothermal power fluctuates. Without Gold, a colony remains stuck in an age of inefficient power management.
In Their Own Story
The drill bit spun with a rhythmic hum, chewing through layers of compressed rock until it struck something hard and bright. Down in the crushing dark of the Deep Crust, where the air was thick with toxic gases and heat radiated from the planet's core, the Duplicant paused. The laser cutter sliced away the final barrier, revealing a glittering vein of pure Gold embedded in the stone. It wasn't just metal; it was the key to keeping the lights on when the sun finally set for good.
Reader's Guide
Gold is exclusively found in the Deep Crust biome, typically located hundreds of meters below the surface. This zone presents significant hazards, including extreme temperatures that can melt weaker materials and high concentrations of toxic gases like Carbon Dioxide or Sulfur Hexafluoride. Duplicants must wear thermal protection suits to survive the heat and ensure proper ventilation is established before mining begins. The resource often appears in large clusters mixed with Iron and Copper, making it efficient to extract multiple metals simultaneously using a Miner. Extraction requires a Drill or a Duplicant equipped with a Mining Tool. Due to its high density, Gold takes up less space per mass unit compared to other resources, optimizing storage. However, the depth means colonies must carefully manage their power grid and oxygen supply lines extending down to these depths.
Did You Know?
- Gold is one of the few metals that does not oxidize or tarnish when exposed to air in the game's physics engine.
- It is a required material for crafting the Solar Panel, which is essential for renewable energy generation.
- Gold veins are often found near Magma pockets, requiring careful thermal management during extraction.
More in Biomes & Resources
Elsewhere in the Oxygen Not Included universe
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