Valheim Mining Guide

In this Valheim Mining Guide, we'll tell you how to get a Pickaxe, why you need one, and how to get useful Ore like Copper, Iron, and More!

How Valheim Mining Works

Valheim Mining is fairly standard for games like this — you have to find ore, harvest it with your Pickaxe, and then Smelt it. Most Biomes will have at least one Ore (or other item) that you can harvest with your Pickaxe.

The real challenge isn't finding Ore, though — it's transporting it. Ore cannot be transported through a Portal (at least until you get to the Ashlands), so you'll need to use a Boat if you're intending to bring Ore or Bars from one island to another.

How to Get a Valheim Pickaxe

You can get a Valheim Pickaxe by acquiring the Hard Antler item. Unfortunately, the only way to get the Hard Antler is by defeating the first boss Eikthyr. Preparing to fight Eikthyr will involve building your first base, making sturdy armor and weapons, and getting a variety of good food.

The Pickaxe primarily serves three purposes in the game. Two of its functions just have to do with shaping the land, but one of them is absolutely essential to moving forward in the game. First and foremost, you're going to need the Pickaxe in order to mine ore for metal tools and armor; you simply won't be able to survive the more challenging areas of the game without upgrading to something sturdier than the basic leather gear that you can get at the beginning of the game.

Secondly, the Pickaxe can be used to break up those troublesome rocks lying around on the ground everywhere. Aside from clearing the land, these big rocks also serve as a good source of Stone.

Finally, the Pickaxe can also be used to lower the ground. You could dig a trench to surround your base, flatten out the land a little better, or do something else entirely — the Valheim Pickaxe opens up a world of terraforming possibilities!

A major turning point is getting your hands on Iron. This powerful metal is a serious step up from Bronze and it unlocks a fair few improvements in the game, but finding it might not be as clear as you'd like — you're going to have to venture into a new biome to find it.

Where to Find Ore in Valheim

Now that you know how Valheim Mining works and how to get a Pickaxe, you're probably wondering where you'll get all of that valuable metal for your gear. Here's where you can find each of the Ores in the game.

Where to Find Copper

You can find Copper in the Black Forest Biome. Copper deposits are usually large boulders similar to the large rocks in the area.

Copper can be used to make your first decent set of Weapons and Tools. Once you progress past it, it will still have its uses for Crafting and Building, particularly in terms of lighting fixtures.

Where to Find Tin

You can find Tin in the Black Forest Biome, although it's not quite as prolific as Copper. Tin is typically found near water, whether it's a river or a coast.

Tin is only used for three items: making a Cauldron for Cooking Food, making a Butcher Knife for slaughtering Animals, and making Bronze.

Where to Find Bronze

You cannot find Bronze in Valheim — you have to Craft it at a Forge by combining Copper and Tin. Copper and Tin can both be found in the Black Forest Biome.

Bronze is used to make Weapons, Tools, and Armor. Additionally, it's integral for certain Workbench upgrades and equipment you'll need for making Potions and Mead.

Where to Find Iron

You can find Valheim Iron in the Swamp biome, although it's not quite as easy as getting the Copper and Tin you've dug up in the Black Forest Biome. The easiest Iron to access is found in Sunken Crypts, a dungeon in the Swamps akin to the Burial Chambers of the Black Forest. Unlike Burial Chambers, however, the Sunken Crypts are locked. You can't get in until you've acquired the Swamp Key by beating the game's second boss.

Once inside, you'll be able to get Scrap Iron by digging away at "Muddy Scrap Piles." These big piles of garbage typically block the doors in the Sunken Crypts, so be careful — you may find that there are some enemies on the other side of the pile you're digging into. Scrap Iron can also be discovered in chests within the Sunken Crypts.

You can also get Scrap Iron from the occasional Muddy Scrap Pile hidden under the surface of the Swamp or by Mining the Ancient Armor in the Mistlands Biome.

Iron can be used for Weapons, Tools, and Armor, but that's not all it's good for — it's also integral for many important crafting and building pieces.

Where to Find Silver

You can find Silver in the Mountains Biome, but it won't be easy to get to it — Silver is buried underground. It is very difficult to find Silver without using the Wishbone, a magical item that you can get by defeating Bonemass.

Silver can be used to make Weapons and Armor. Critically, it's an integral component that's used to make Capes that protect you from the cold.

Where to Find Black Metal

Black Metal can be found in the Plains Biome in Valheim. Don't bother searching for Ore deposits, though — the only way you can get this material is by killing Fulings or finding it in treasure chests.

Where to Find Flametal

You can find Flametal in the Ashlands Biome, the seventh core Biome of the game. You can loot small amounts from containers here and there, but your main source of Flametal will be the Flametal Pillars.

Flametal Pillars are large spires of Flametal that are poking out of the lava. Much like the Ocean Biome's Leviathan, the Flametal Pillar will begin to sink into the lava as soon as you start to mine it. You'll have to act fast to get as much Flametal as possible, and working with a group is ideal since you'll be able to get more ore before it disappears forever.

That's the end of our Valheim Mining Guide. Make sure to check out our other guides below!