system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Mass Effect 2] Why can the Normandy deplete much of the galaxy's planetary resources without noticeable consequences?
gpt
The normandy doesn't strip the location of resources. It probes planets for valuable deposits, and brings back samples to the Normandy to verify the purity/contents. If the concentration is verified, the coordinates are sent to the Alliance/Cerberus/the Citadel Council for further evaluation and processing.

This is why it can seemingly take multiple planets' worth of resources to upgrade a small squad's pistols: Your probe is just taking very small samples for verification, that your crew repurposes for their own use after the necessary channels are notified.