Guide Steps
Primary source: Graveyard biome
The Graveyard biome is located beyond the Shallows and Plateaus — look for dark, murky water with skeletal remains on the seabed. Gold deposits appear as yellowish metallic veins on rock surfaces and cave walls. Depth range: 0-266m. The Graveyard also contains Sulfur deposits, making it a two-resource farming destination.
Secondary source: Thermal Vent Clusters
Thermal Vent Clusters (0-450m depth) contain gold deposits near active hydrothermal vents. The heat vent areas are marked by rising bubbles and heat distortion. Be careful of high temperatures — you may need Heat Tolerance Adaptation for extended stays. Gold here is less abundant than in the Graveyard.
Gold Ingot recipe
3 Gold = 1 Gold Ingot, crafted at the Processor. Gold Ingots are used in some vehicle modules and advanced base components. As with other metals, keep raw gold for electronics first and only smelt ingots once you have a surplus (6+ gold in storage).
Gold vs silver priority
Silver is the early bottleneck — you need 8-12 silver for the Air Tank, Wiring Kit, etc. Gold becomes important slightly later for advanced electronics and vehicle modules. Farm both during Graveyard trips since they share the same biome. If inventory is tight, prioritize silver.
Farming route for gold
Head toward the Graveyard biome (beyond the northern Shallows/Plateaus transition). Look for yellowish deposits on rock walls and cave surfaces. A Graveyard run also yields Sulfur — optimize your trip for both resources. Bring a Standard Air Tank and preferably a Rebreather since some areas are deep.