Summary
Mining can be one of the most lucrative activities inStardew Valley, if the player knows how to do it right. Early in the game, though, making money off of mining can be tricky. Between monsters attacking the player and struggling to find exits to the next level, sometimes new players grow frustrated.
However, mining doesn’t have to be tedious. It can be one of the most entertaining and exciting aspects of the game, in addition to earning the player huge profits. Here are a few tips and tricks for players looking to maximize their mining potential and have fun along the way.
Updated August 04, 2025, by Demaris Oxman:Stardew Valley’s 1.6 update introduced the Mastery system, offering further advancement to players who have maxed out all their skills. Gaining Mastery over each skill provides incredible new abilities in that area, and Mining is no exception. For players who want to make the most of this aspect of the relaxing farming sim, choosing to master Mining is a no-brainer. With that in mind, this article has been updated to include details on what Mining Mastery involves and the benefits it provides. With it, farmers who challenge themselves to become experts at exploring caves can emerge with riches untold.
14Upgrade The Pickaxe
A Powerful Tool Makes Everything Easier
This may seem like an obvious one, but it still shouldn’t be discounted. For players aiming to make money off of mining, upgrading the pickaxe should be at the top of their list of priorities. Each upgrade tier allows the player tobreak rocks faster and use less energy while doing so. Once players can break rocks and ore veins rapidly, they can quickly accumulate materials and delve their way deeper into mines and dungeons.
Here’s what players will need to upgrade the pickaxe at each level. Head over to Clint’s shop with the materials and the gold, and he’ll have the upgrade ready in a few in-game days.
2,000g
5,000g
10,000g
25,000g
13Pay Attention to Daily Luck
Watch the Fortune Teller Every Day
TheFortune Teller channelon the TV gives the player an idea of what their luck looks like that day. When the spirits are"very happy" or “in a good mood,“players have a higher chance of finding valuable items and will meet fewer monsters, increasing their chances of survival. Thus, these are the best days to go spelunking.
Avoid going to the mines — especially Skull Cavern — if the spirits are"mildly perturbed” or “very displeased.“The player will encounter more enemies on such days, slain monsters will be far less likely to drop items, and players are less likely to survive their trip to the mines.
12Choose The Right Professions
AtMining Level 5, players can choose between two professions. Depending on which they choose, the player will get another profession choice atLevel 10.
Players looking to make money off of mining shouldpick Geologist at level 5, and Gemologist at level 10.Though the other options can be helpful depending on play style, most players won’t have difficulty amassing ore, coal, or geodes. Increasing the frequency and value of gemstones allows players to make more cash faster — not to mention,gems make great gifts.
11Be Speedy
Run Faster, Break Rocks Faster, Kill Monsters Faster
Players will be surprised how big a difference speed makes in mining productivity. Always bringCoffee(or better yet,Triple Shot Espresso) along to the caves. Buffs from drinks are separate from food buffs, so don’t worry about removing a meal’s active effect by sipping coffee. To make this energizing drink, place5 coffee beans into a Keg.Players can then use three Coffees to brew a Triple Shot Espresso in their kitchen. Both have the same speed buff, but the Espresso’s lasts longer.
The speed boost doesn’t just make the player walk faster; it speeds up tools and weapons as well. Betweenfighting monsters and smashing rocks, everything moves more quickly with this bonus. This allows players to collect more items in a shorter span of time — and run away from monsters that turn out to be a bit too much.
10Utilize Buffs
Meals Can Increase Luck, Defense, Mining, & More
Cooking the right mealis essential for maximizing any skill inStardew Valley, and mining is no exception.Cranberry Sauce, for example, provides +2 to this skill.Eggplant Parmesanoffers +1 to Mining as well as +3 Defense, a helpful bonus when fighting monsters.
A mining skill increase isn’t the only useful effect for dungeon divers. Players can increase both their Luck and Speed withSpicy Eel, or boost their attack power with aRoots Platter.Bean Hotpotincreases maximum energy, a helpful boost for breaking boulders. All of these buffs can prove invaluable for helping players to survive the mines, Skull Cavern, or the Volcano Dungeon. Here’s what players will need for each meal:
Gus, 7 hearts
Lewis, 7 hearts
George, 7 hearts
Clint, 7 hearts
9Bring Non-Buffing Food
Restore Health Without Changing Buffs
Survival in the mines can be a challenge, especially as players dig deeper or take on the Skull Cavern challenge. While lots of recipes provide incredible skill boosts, it’s also important to bring healing items thatdon’thave these effects. For example, if the player eats Spicy Eel, then runs low on health and eats Pancakes, the latter’s Foraging buff will replace the Luck and Speed effects of the first meal. Non-buffing food that simply restores health and energy is essential to survive the mines inStardew Valley.
Players can also use theLife Elixirto restore their health to maximum no matter how low it drops. This item is craftable starting at Combat level 2, using1 Red Mushroom, 1 Purple Mushroom, 1 Chanterelle, and 1 Morel.The Energy Tonic does the same for energy. However, this item cannot be crafted; players must purchase it from Harvey or receive it from Pam in the mail.
In general, the best non-buffing consumables in the game are thePurple Mushroomand theMagma Cap. The Energy and Health they restore varies based on their quality:
8Invest In Weapons
The Mines Are Full Of Danger
TheGalaxy Swordand its souped-up form, theInfinity Blade, are by far the best choices for slaying monsters. However, players can’t get the Galaxy Sword until they travel to Calico Desert with a Prismatic Shard. Obtaining the Infinity Blade requires completing Qi Challenges and clearing the Volcano Dungeon. Additionally, clearing the Volcano Dungeon gives players access to the Volcano Forge, they can alsoimbue their weapons with powerful enchantments.
The Adventurer’s Guild has options if the player can’t yet obtain the Galaxy Sword. TheLava Katana,for example, becomes available after reaching the bottom of the mines and is one of the game’s most powerful swords for purchase.
7Consider Rings Carefully
Another Way to Stack Buffs
Several rings provide effects that make mining easier. TheSlime Charmer Ringis a great option, since it means dealing with fewer enemies. TheNapalm Ringexplodes slain monsters, while theVampire Ringrestores a little health with every kill. TheIridium Bandcombines several effects in one: it glows, attracts items, and increases attack power.
InGinger Island’s Volcano Forge, players can combine two rings into one. This essentially allows for four active rings at once. This process can’t be reversed, so players must choose their favorite rings wisely.
6Enchant The Pickaxe
Give the Mining Tool an Extra Effect
The Volcano Forge, in addition to improving weapons and rings, can also be used to enchant tools. If an iridium pickaxe is useful for mining, an enchanted one is absolutely overpowered.
To enchant the Pickaxe, players will needone Prismatic Shard and 20 Cinder Shards.When using the forge, the Pickaxe will receive one of the following at random:
All of these enchantments are equally useful for miners, but if the player receives one they didn’t want, they can repeat the process to get a new random enchantment.
5Use Staircases
Make a Strategic Retreat
If monsters are swarming the player and there’s no easy way out, there’s no shame in escaping. Sometimes, it’s the best way to stay alive and avoid losing items that took so much effort to collect. Bybuilding a staircase with 99 Stone, players can place it anywhere in the floor of the mines and immediately descend to the next level.
Long mining sessions result in the player collecting large amounts of stone, which they can use to build staircases. Additionally, players can build staircases before heading to the caves as a contingency plan. This strategy is especially helpful in thedeeper levels of Skull Cavern, where dangerous monsters abound.
