Ore Deposits: Difference between revisions

Shallow deposits can sometimes (but not always) be indicated by the presence of loose stones containing ore on the surface of the world. To craft metal tools, copper is the first metal ore players need to find. Surface native copper deposits are readily available sources of material available to players during early game stages, except for areas where the primary stone in limestone. In limestone areas, surface malachite deposits can be found as an alternative to native copper.

Deep ores are not indicated by surface deposits in loose stones. Most deep ores can only be found using the prospecting pick. Some ores, saltpeter for example, can't be detected by [[mining#prospecting|prospecting]] with a propick and must be found while exploring caves.

'''Salt Domes''' can spawn anywhere, but must originate in a sedimentary layer.  No Sedimentary = No Halite.  The Halite readings that the propick detects in permil mode are for salt domes.

'''Dry Salt Lakes''' can only spawn in sedimentary stone top layers in deserts.  In a typical temperate spawn location, with 'realistic' banded climate, you'll need to travel 13k+ blocks south to find true deserts.  Gravel barrens, which you can find in temperate climates, are not hot enough.  The dry salt lake will spawn directly on top of the stone in the region, but below the sand/gravel top layers.  So it will take some shallow exploratory digging to find them.  These dry salt lakes, while much easier to access than salt domes, will not give halite readings on the propick in permil mode, unlike salt domes.  They are easiest to find exposed in cliff faces, due to geologic upheaval.

[[Gold]] only spawns in layers of quartz. Following a quartz layer is a good way to find them. [[Ore blasting bomb]]s can be utilized to great effect to clear out quartz.

Cassiterite is very rare and is used to make tin bronze, one of the three bronze alloys that can be used to advance to the iron working stages of the game. Some traders sell bronze tools that can be used to work iron, but players must still find enough ore to cast a bronze [[anvil]].