How to Find Ores Efficiently Without Strip Mining

Traditional branch mining and strip mining through solid stone are largely ineffective with Cave Spelunking Mod active. By default, ores only have a 10% chance to generate inside solid rock away from caves, and above-ground deposits become scarce. Instead, resources like iron, gold, and diamond primarily spawn deep underground where they touch air, water, or lava.

Searching Air, Water, and Lava Exposures

1. Locate a natural cave entrance or dig down into a deep cavern system rather than digging long horizontal tunnels through solid stone.

2. Light up cave walls, floors, and ceilings thoroughly, as exposed ore blocks generate directly next to open air.

3. Bring strong armor and weapons before descending; going deeper under the caves yields higher ore rates, but forces you to face more monsters in the dark.

4. Dive into flooded caverns and underground aquifers using Doors or Respiration gear, since water blocks count as valid cave exposure for ore placement.

5. Carry a Water Bucket to pour over deep lava lakes. Turning surface lava into obsidian safely reveals valuable ores generated along the lava's edges.