Types of Mines

The two types of mines commonly in use are placer mines and underground mines.

Placer Mines

Placer mining involves a pan or sluice to sift gravel, dirt, sand, and water from a flowing stream or river. This technique is most commonly employed above ground, but can be conducted below. Placer mining is a relatively simple operation requiring little equipment. At the basic level, the only requirements are a character with a shallow pan and a great deal of patience.

Placer mines collect mineral deposits from underground veins eroded by water and tumbled downstream. Finally deposited in the streambed, the miner harvests them from the water. Only mineral wealth, eroded from deposits, collects along the streambed. Since erosion is slow, placer mining is much less profitable than deep mining.

Placer mines do not yield profitable amounts of copper, iron, mithral, or gemstones. Characters who have discovered gold, silver, or platinum may try to mine the deposits. Underground mines are required for all other metals and gems. To calculate the value of placer mines, determine the quality and then roll 1d4 and multiply by 10. This is the percentage of its top value the mine will yield. For example, if a gold mine could yield 100 gp per week, a placer mine will yield only 10 to 40 gp per week.

Tunnel Mines

Operating an underground, or tunnel, mine requires a great deal more work than placer mines, but the potential for wealth is much greater. Underground mining tunnels into the earth, searching for veins of ore and gem-encrusted rock that is removed and the minerals and gems then extracted.

Table of Contents