Ore Factory Squad Ores & Resources
Complete Ore Factory Squad ore guide: Copper, Iron, Gold, Diamond, processing chains, and contract demand for each resource.
Core Mineable Resources
Ore Factory Squad centers on four primary mineable resources: Copper, Iron, Gold, and Diamond. Each spawns at different depth bands in procedural dig sites tied to property deeds. Copper appears shallow and frequently — the teaching ore for early contracts. Iron scales mid-game automation. Gold pays premium contract rates at depth. Diamond is rare, slow to mine and process, and reserved for late-game payouts and achievements.
Raw ore can satisfy some beginner warehouse jobs, but most mid-tier contracts demand ingots or assembled components from smelters and related machines. Know your factory output before stockpiling raw Diamond in crates — unprocessed gems do not count toward refined delivery requirements.
Mining methods for each tier are covered in the mining guide. Automation ratios appear in the automation guide and production calculator.
Copper: Early Economy Foundation
Copper nodes populate upper tunnel layers accessible with basic pickaxe tiers. Contracts request Copper early and often — steady income for first jackhammer purchases and initial conveyor spans. Smelting time is short relative to Iron, making Copper lines ideal for learning belt balancing.
Copper also feeds some component recipes when assemblers unlock. Keep at least one dedicated Copper smelter row active even after Gold contracts appear — fallback Copper jobs stabilize cash during Gold smelter retooling.
Properties skewing Copper-rich suit new squads; scout deeds on the properties map before buying.
Iron: Mid-Game Backbone
Iron veins sit deeper than Copper, behind harder rock requiring jackhammer efficiency or dynamite clearance. Iron ingots fuel bulk contracts with moderate payouts and high volume — perfect for warehouse robots and truck logistics practice.
Iron throughput tests Modular Mining Lift capacity before Gold rushes. If lift bins backlog Iron while Copper lines starve, split shafts or upgrade lift modules before adding more miners.
Pair Iron mining with forklift routes from smelter to staging pallets documented in vehicles and logistics.
Gold and Diamond: Late-Game Value
Gold appears at significant depth with higher hardness — upgrade tools before dedicating shafts. Gold contracts offer strong payouts but punish missed deadlines when smelter cycles lag. Stage Gold bars near warehouse scanners ahead of timer warnings.
Diamond is the rarest standard ore, typically at lowest reachable strata before major lift upgrades. Mine Diamond only when contracts or Steam achievements among the 35 total explicitly require it — otherwise lift bandwidth serves Iron and Gold more efficiently.
Contract boards rotate Diamond jobs infrequently — accept them prepared with buffer stock and co-op voice coordination for simultaneous turn-ins.
Secondary Materials and Byproducts
Crushers and assemblers may produce secondary forms — slag, plates, or alloy inputs depending on machine tier. Read machine tooltips after each unlock patch because recipes can adjust post-launch.
Rubble from dynamite and shovel clearance is not sellable ore — dispose or ignore unless future patches add recycling machines. Do not mix rubble crates with contract pallets.
For processing buildings handling these resources, see the machines reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ore should I mine first in Ore Factory Squad?
Start with Copper, transition to Iron for mid-game cash, then add Gold when smelters and lifts support depth. Chase Diamond only for specific contracts or achievements.
Do contracts accept raw ore?
Early contracts often accept raw Copper or Iron. Mid and late jobs usually require smelted ingots or crafted components — read each posting carefully.
Can one property lack Diamond entirely?
Procedural generation can skew ore distribution. If Diamond never appears at reasonable depth, consider another deed before building Diamond-only infrastructure.
How do I store excess ore?
Use bins, crates, and warehouse staging pallets. Overflow breaks automation — expand storage or add smelters when bins stay full for full mining cycles.
Are there ores beyond Copper, Iron, Gold, and Diamond?
These four are the core economy ores in the July 2026 release. Patch notes may add materials — verify after updates.