The best way to find the elements, minerals, and anomalies on planets that you can explore is to drive along the edges of the operational area (the red area). Drive the Mako in a circle around the area to where you can barely see the edge of the red line. You should find at least two elements/minerals on each planet that can be explored. There are rare things that will not show up on your map -- you will also have to drive around like this to find them. There are several more items than you are required to find, but it is good to go ahead and get them if you need the experience points. Also if you say the correct things to the Asari Consort, she will give you a trinket that will allow you to activate a Prothean Orb found on Eletania, or the "monkey" planet, in the Hercules system. It contains the memories of a Cro-Magnon that was observed by the Protheans. The orb will show up as an anomaly on your map, in the lower left corner.