Stonewards Mining & Resources Guide: Essential Tips
Mining drives every run in Stonewards. Learn how procedural caves work, which resources matter most, and how to return before the horn sounds.
Last verified: August 18, 2026 — Game version: Stonewards Early Access Hotfix 0.1.5. Facts come from official Steam sources and verified player reports.
Mining is the heartbeat of Stonewards. Every wall repair, arrow, and upgrade comes from resources pulled out of procedural caves. If your team mines too little, you will run out of ammunition and defenses. If you mine too long, the horn will strand you underground while monsters attack. This guide explains the mining loop and the resources you will use most.
How Mining Works
After each defense wave, the mine opens for a limited time. The tunnels are procedurally generated, so ore placement and cave shape change between runs. You explore with your pickaxe, break ore nodes, and carry resources back to the surface. The official description warns that your friends will complain if you take too long, because the next wave starts whether you are back or not.
Key Resources
| Resource | Known use |
|---|---|
| Common metals | Basic arrows, repairs, and low-tier upgrades |
| Rare materials | Higher-tier forge upgrades and better gear |
| Gold coins | Shop purchases and some mission rewards |
| Platinum Ore | A higher-tier ore whose missing icon was fixed in an early hotfix |
The full resource tree has not been published by the developer. We list only what has been confirmed through patch notes and in-game observations.
Mining Strategy
- Mine in pairs when possible. One dwarf gathers while another watches for the horn.
- Mark your path. Procedural caves can be disorienting, and getting lost means missing a wave.
- Leave early. It is better to bring back 80% of possible loot than to miss the defense entirely.
- Upgrade mining speed on your Miner first so future waves are more productive.
Gold and Economy
Gold coins are gained from kills, mission rewards, and some ore. Hotfix 0.1.4 rebalanced Gold Coin missions, and 0.1.5 adjusted Gold Coin drops from Artificer bombs. If you are struggling to afford upgrades, focus on completing coin missions and letting the Miner bring back high-value ore.
Cave Hazards
The caves themselves are not listed as a major hazard, but the timer is. Taking too long is the real danger. Some community feedback also mentions that items can fall through the ground when dropped on certain surfaces, so avoid tossing resources down slopes.
For more on turning ore into upgrades, read our forge upgrades guide.
Sources
- Official Steam store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4502710/
- Official Steam announcements hub: https://steamcommunity.com/games/4502710/announcements/
- Steam Community discussions: https://steamcommunity.com/app/4502710/discussions/
Fan-made guide. This site is not affiliated with Banana Tiger Studio, Steam, or Valve; all game content and media belong to their respective owners.