Sandustry: Gold Production Chains and Research Progression System Guide

Gold Currency and Technological Research

Accumulating refined Gold serves as the essential requirement for advancing technology in Sandustry — an early progression priority explained in our beginner tips guide. Unlocking blueprints, advanced machinery, and inventory upgrades demands steady gold reserves. Three primary processing structures form the backbone of gold extraction across various production tiers: the vibrating Shaker, the heavy Kinetic Slag Press, and the agricultural Planter Box.

Shaker Mechanics and Slushy Wet Sand Separation

The shaker represents your primary refining apparatus during early and mid-tier operations. Feeding granular Sand into pooling Water triggers the Sand + Water reaction, transforming dry grains into slushy Wet Sand. When wet sand lands on an active shaker, mechanical vibration sifts dense gold nuggets downward while discharging byproduct Slag outward.

Diagonal Mounting for Continuous Gravity Feed

To maximize refining speed, position shakers along downward diagonal slopes. Mounting shakers at an angle allows gravity to clear separated slag automatically, preventing buildup that can stall output belts — an approach that integrates directly with the transport networks in the factory layout guide. Position a water dispenser directly above the sand intake to ensure incoming sand is converted to wet sand instantly upon arrival.

Byproduct Slag Routing and Downstream Loops

Rather than allowing slag to accumulate into massive heaps that clog transport corridors, route byproduct lines directly into storage buffers or downstream processing units. Byproduct slag can later be smelted into Burnt Slag for advanced kinetic refining, detailed in the kinetic slag press walkthrough.

Shaker Troubleshooting and Throughput Jams

A frequent error when designing shaker lines is feeding dry sand directly onto the sieve. Dry sand will not separate without moisture; ensuring an uninterrupted water supply upstream (using extraction techniques from the water production guide) prevents dry sand clogs. Furthermore, check that the exit chutes for both gold and slag remain clear to sustain continuous 24-hour operation.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Combine raw sand with water to produce slushy wet sand ahead of the shaker intake.
2. Mount shakers along diagonal gradients to assist gravity-driven material separation.
3. Position collector tiles directly beneath the shaker screen to capture separated gold.
4. Direct outgoing byproduct slag onto conveyor belts toward secondary processing lines.
5. Maintain continuous water flow upstream to avoid feeding unreacted dry sand into the sieve.