- Primary guide objective: Master the core mechanics of the ore factory squad mining guide to optimize resource extraction and maximize factory throughput.
- Tool progression: Upgrade quickly from Shovel to Pickaxe and Jackhammer to bypass tough underground soil layers efficiently.
- Property expansion: Unlock Forest and Construction maps to secure high-value Copper, Gold, and Diamond veins.
- Logistics integration: Install Mining Lifts and organize dedicated drop zones to prevent warehouse bottlenecks.
Ore Factory Squad Mining Guide: Tool Progression
Welcome to the definitive ore factory squad mining guide, designed to help you transition from manual excavation to a highly automated industrial empire. In Ore Factory Squad, released on July 16, 2026, efficient mining is the foundation of your entire factory loop. Raw resources must be extracted from procedurally generated underground layers, transported to your warehouse, and processed into high-value products to fulfill lucrative company contracts.
To maximize your extraction speed, you must systematically upgrade your tools. Relying on starting equipment for too long will severely bottleneck your raw material supply, leaving your expensive factory machines sitting idle.
| Tool | Primary Use | Stage | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shovel | Soft ground and early surface digging | Starting Equipment | Replace as main excavation tool once terrain hardens |
| Pickaxe | Tougher soil layers and targeted digging | Early Upgrade | Use to carve safe, wide pathways for transport |
| Jackhammer | Rapid powered excavation through hard rock | Progression Upgrade | Buy when processing machines sit idle waiting for raw materials |
| Dynamite | Clearing massive sections and cave barriers | Advanced Consumable | Deploy at blocked cave walls in Forest and Quarry maps |
Do not spend all your early capital on mining tool upgrades at once. Always reserve enough cash to purchase machine licenses and factory components, ensuring you can actually process the raw materials you extract.
Properties and Dig Sites
Progression in Ore Factory Squad requires expanding your operations across four unique properties. Each location features fully diggable, procedurally generated terrain, meaning resource placement and underground cave layouts will differ for every player and playthrough. Moving to advanced properties introduces new environmental hazards but rewards you with highly valuable, deep-layer minerals.
| Property | Unlock Stage | Environmental Hazards | Primary Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban Backyard | Starting Site | Limited working space and shallow layers | Basic Stone and starting raw materials |
| Forest | Early Expansion | Hidden underground chasms and blocked caves | Copper, Bronze, Iron, and Steel |
| Construction Site | Mid-to-Late Game | Hazardous underground gas pipes | High-density mineral pockets and rich soil |
| Quarry | Late Game | Extremely long hauling routes and vertical drops | Advanced ores, diamonds, and secret caves |
Backyard Strategy
Focus on establishing a basic, repeatable loop. Use this small property to master manual digging, transport, and your first machine setups before investing heavily in expansion.
Forest Strategy
Always carry dynamite when exploring the Forest. Look for suspicious rock blockages along the terrain walls to blast open hidden, resource-rich procedural caves.
Construction Strategy
Dig methodically and avoid reckless excavation. Careless digging can rupture underground gas pipes, stalling your operations and risking your equipment.
Quarry Strategy
Deploy vertical Mining Lifts immediately. The extreme depths and long hauling routes make manual carrying highly inefficient on this snowy mountain map.
Purchasing and visiting the Forest property unlocks the A Breath of Fresh Air achievement, while acquiring the Quarry unlocks Stone Business.
Procedural Ores and Depth Valuations
As you dig deeper into your properties, the value of the materials you discover increases significantly. While basic surface stone is useful for early-game contracts, deep-layer ores like Copper, Gold, and Diamonds are required to manufacture advanced products and complete high-tier company orders.
| Ore Type | Location | Depth Profile | Processing Route | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Forest, Construction, Quarry | Early-to-mid layers | Smelt into bars for advanced recipes | Intermediate progression milestone |
| Gold | Construction, Quarry | Deep underground pockets | Refine into high-value components | Unlocks the Gold Rush achievement |
| Diamond | Quarry, Deep Construction | Deepest excavation layers | Pack directly or use in premium contracts | Unlocks We are Rich achievement |
| Antiques | All properties | Randomly buried in soil | Sell directly to the city Pawn Shop | High-value secondary side income |
Keep antiques separate from your standard factory inventory. Take them directly to the city Pawn Shop to secure quick cash. Selling 10 antiques unlocks the One Man's Treasure achievement.
Step-by-Step Mining and Hauling Optimization
The biggest bottleneck in any mining operation is transport. Digging up valuable ore does nothing for your business if it remains trapped at the bottom of a dark, deep shaft. Follow this optimized setup guide to build a highly efficient vertical hauling system.
Carve a Wide, Controlled Shaft
Avoid digging narrow, twisting vertical holes. Carve a wide, straight shaft downward to ensure you have enough physical space to transport resources and install heavy logistics equipment.
Install Underground Lighting
Place modular lights along your main descent route. Proper illumination prevents you from getting lost, highlights hidden wall deposits, and makes navigating vehicles much safer.
Deploy the Mining Lift
Install a Mining Lift inside your main shaft. Load raw resources onto the lift platform at the bottom of the mine and operate it to transport materials directly to the surface, bypassing manual climbing.
Establish Surface Drop Zones
Set up dedicated drop zones at the surface entrance. Use forklifts or conveyor belts to immediately move the unloaded raw materials from the lift area into your warehouse storage.
Operating a loaded Mining Lift for the first time unlocks the Elevator Pitch achievement, marking your transition into mid-game logistics.
Co-op Mining Roles and Squad Workflows
Ore Factory Squad supports up to four players in online co-op. While playing solo is entirely viable, a coordinated squad can divide labor to scale operations at a much faster rate. To prevent chaos and mixed inventory, assign clear roles to each team member before starting a mining expedition.
Pre-Mining Expedition Checklist:
- Purchase required production licenses for targeted contract recipes
- Equip the team with at least one Jackhammer and two stacks of Dynamite
- Ensure the transport vehicle has a clear, unobstructed route to the dig site
- Clear the warehouse drop zones to accept incoming raw materials
For a four-player squad, assign one player to manage factory machines and warehouse robots, one to operate forklifts and vehicle transport, and two to focus entirely on deep-mine excavation.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you troubleshoot common issues and optimize your mining runs, we have compiled answers to the most frequent player inquiries.
Q: How deep do I need to dig to unlock achievements?
Digging deeper than 15 meters unlocks the 'How Low Can You Go?' achievement. Ensure you carve a safe, wide shaft and use vertical lifts to prevent getting trapped at extreme depths.
Q: What should I do with scrap metal found while mining?
Collect scrap during your excavations and deliver 25 pieces to the Waste Collection Center. This clears up warehouse space and unlocks the 'Scrap Dealer' achievement.
Q: How do I fix multiplayer synchronization or connection issues?
Ensure all players are running the same game version. If non-host players experience contract or resource errors, select the closest region in the Server Browser and restart the lobby.
Q: Why are my warehouse robots not moving pallets?
Robots require completely clear pathways. Ensure your Palletizers, Drop Zones, and charging stations are not blocked by stray items, vehicles, or overlapping pallet stacks.
Use your surplus mining profits to fully repay your starting bank loan. Doing so removes daily interest payments and unlocks the highly coveted Debt Free achievement.