How to mine

[Dylock]

I found an excellent article on mining on the official minecraft forums, courtesy of featherblade.
http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=28299&hilit=efficiency

Basically horizontal galleries at level 11-16 will yield the most diamond.

Some great ideas on mining efficiency. Also, I like the part of watervators.

 

[hometoast]

I found an excellent article on mining on the official minecraft forums, courtesy of featherblade.
http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=28299&hilit=efficiency

Basically horizontal galleries at level 11-16 will yield the most diamond.

Some great ideas on mining efficiency. Also, I like the part of watervators.

Wow THAT is a heavy read.

I tend to mine in parallel branches. Make one long main tunnel out. go to the right or left, until I'm bored, Step back *3* blocks, tunnel back to main vein. this way I can see all the block at least on one side or the other.

Like this:

..........#...........
..##################..
..#.......#........#..
..#.......#........#..
..##################..
..........#...........
..........#...........
..##################..
..#.......#........#..
..#.......#........#..
..##################..
..........#...........
..........#...........
..##################..
..#.......#........#..
..#.......#........#..
..##################..
..........#...........

 

[the_actual_God]

Instead of making a new HowTo, let me just add to this one.

As you can see in this Wiki entry, the branch corridors should be every four blocks (so that three blocks are between them).

I saw this entry today, looked at the diagram and thought: "Dude, they got the distance wrong!" Then it hit me. No, I had been branch mining wrong the whole time!

Because diamonds, iron, etc., are usually found in patches that are at least 2x2x2 in size. Most of the time. So, if three blocks are between the branch corridors (resulting in one complete row that you can't see from either side), you still get to see if there's stuff there.

 

[ultimateironman]

i do one of those methods listed on that page. its a branch mine. but instead of just making a branch every 3, it overlaps the mine's levels. Allowing me to dig alot less stone for the same amount of ore. i follow the below pic's order, for 3-4 stacked branches. from levels 11-18. i avoid anything under 10 because i die in lava alot. its gets tiring :/

 

[Rain]

Well I use this mine, tips from friends and adapting it I have found this the best way for me:
Please also note to the left of this would be a mine storage and crafting sort of area.
The larger this area the better, as it gives opportunity for more trunks.

       XXXX      XXXX     XXXX      XXXX      XXXX
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
      X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
       XXXX      XXXX     XXXX      XXXX      XXXX

Here's a run-down of the mine:

-That is an example, the X's are the only letters used; they simply represent blocks mined out.
-Everything is 3 blocks high.
-Mining is best for you on level 14 (Y axis) digging 3 up.
-If you choose to you could adapt it to 4 blocks high, this is unnecessary though as it would use more picks and not get you much more than you would with a 3 bloc high mine.
-The entrance (i.e. stairs ladders) are off from the mining hub.
-In a real mine I would have much longer trunks.
-The mining hub is essentially optional, but I would highly recommend it. It is the plate for your chips.


METHOD:

So from your mining hub, which should be 3 blocks high: dig a 2x3 hole in the wall as far out as you like, or if you prefer you could go 4 blocks deeper at a time, which would give you 1 more outward shaft (either side) each time. Now once you have dug that hole a little deeper, it will act as your central trunk for that main shaft. In here dig out in the side wall 1x3 blocks and then go deep 10 blocks, dig right 2 more blocks deeper, and then come back on yourself until you break through to your central shaft again. Then repeat this on the other side of your trunk. Continue to do this all the way along, I like to do this 10 blocks deep in the main trunk and then 'harvest' my mine for any goodies I have come across in the walls.


THEORY:

This mining method is probably the most prosperous way of mining, and it saves smashing up more blocks than you need to, so that means less broken picks and more mining = more diamond = more picks = more diamond...

 

[SgtSpike]

Because diamonds, iron, etc., are usually found in patches that are at least 2x2x2 in size. Most of the time. So, if three blocks are between the branch corridors (resulting in one complete row that you can't see from either side), you still get to see if there's stuff there.

GOOD call! Never even thought about that...

 

[SgtSpike]

And RRain, I'm going to argue against your theory that digging 3 high is better...

If you dig two high, you reveal a total of 6 outer blocks for every 2 blocks mined.
If you dig three high, you reveal a total of 8 outer blocks for every 3 blocks mined.

If I dig a total of 6 blocks 2 blocks high, I reveal a total of 18 blocks. If I dig a total of 6 blocks 3 blocks high, I reveal a total of 16 blocks.

So 2 high is 12% more efficient in terms of blocks revealed per block mined. :ugeek:

 

[Rain]

And RRain, I'm going to argue against your theory that digging 3 high is better...

If you dig two high, you reveal a total of 6 outer blocks for every 2 blocks mined.
If you dig three high, you reveal a total of 8 outer blocks for every 3 blocks mined.

If I dig a total of 6 blocks 2 blocks high, I reveal a total of 18 blocks. If I dig a total of 6 blocks 3 blocks high, I reveal a total of 16 blocks.

So 2 high is 12% more efficient in terms of blocks revealed per block mined. :ugeek:

Very thankful! Adaptations to this method are always welcomed with open arms. I will go ahead and edit the original post for others reference, but your credit is certainly due good sir!

 

[Gateship]

ive always been denying the every 3 block branch mine but recently i think i should alos to the every 3 just like act said. but my mines are like this

x x x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x x x
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
ss
ss
ss

yes i know not actually to portion but whatever/ s= stairs b= the tunnel connecter thingy, and x= branches