Automated Quarries: Automatic Mining Datapack for Minecraft
Let’s be honest: in Minecraft, digging for resources is rarely the thrilling part of the adventure. Whether you need stacks of cobblestone for a massive build or you’re hunting for rare ores deep underground, the process quickly becomes a repetitive chore. Manual mining is slow, and TNT-based excavation is risky and messy. That’s where Automated Quarries: Automatic Mining Datapack for Minecraft steps in, offering a clever, vanilla-friendly solution that lets you sit back while your machines do the heavy lifting.
This datapack introduces fully functional automated quarries into the game without requiring any heavy mods. It works on a standard vanilla server, provided you install the datapack and its companion resource pack. No Forge, no Fabric, no complicated setup—just pure, clever command-block magic that fits right into the base game.
What Makes This Datapack Stand Out?
The core idea is simple: craft a special machine, place it down, and watch it systematically excavate a designated area. The quarry collects all broken blocks and deposits them into a nearby chest, turning a tedious mining session into a fully automated process. What’s even better is that it’s designed with multiplayer in mind. Multiple players can run their own quarries simultaneously without conflicts, making it a fantastic addition to any community server.
Getting started is straightforward. The datapack includes a built-in guidebook, accessible with the /trigger QuarryBook command, which walks you through all the recipes and upgrade options. For those who want to test things out immediately, there’s also a command to summon a quarry block for free, letting you experiment before committing resources.
The Crafting Chain: From Workbench to Quarry
Your journey begins with the Machine Workbench, a special crafting station designed for tech items. The recipe for this workbench is clearly laid out in the guidebook, and from there, you can assemble the quarry itself. Alongside the quarry, the datapack adds a Lockbox—a secure container that only opens when a specific player is within two blocks. This is a great tool for servers where griefing is a concern.
Before diving in, you’ll need to install the LapisCore dependency, which is essential for the quarries to function. Additionally, the Lapis Resources resource pack is required to ensure all new blocks and items display correctly. If manual installation sounds like a hassle, some launchers allow you to load these add-ons directly from their menus, making it easy to switch between different modded setups.
Upgrade Your Quarry on the Fly
One of the most impressive features is the ability to upgrade an active quarry without breaking it. Simply insert specific items into the block’s interface, and its behavior changes instantly. Here’s what you can install:
- Speed Upgrade: Use redstone blocks to increase mining speed by 8 blocks per cycle, up to a maximum of 64 blocks per cycle.
- Ignore Stones and Dirt: Insert a stonecutter, and the quarry will skip common blocks like stone, dirt, and gravel, focusing only on valuable ores.
- Fortune: Add one level of the Fortune enchantment for each unique rare item type—such as a Nether Star, Dragon Egg, Enchanted Golden Apple, or Totem of Undying. The number of identical items doesn’t matter; only variety counts.
- Silk Touch: Craft this upgrade with eight slime blocks to mine ores in their original block form instead of breaking them into resources.
- Show Particle Area: Insert a torch to highlight the quarry’s working area with particles, giving you a clear visual of its boundaries.
This flexibility means you can adapt a single quarry to different tasks. Speed it up for rapid land clearing, then switch to Fortune when you’re hunting for diamonds.
More Than Just Quarries
The datapack doesn’t stop at mining. Version 0.4 introduced Techno Armor, a high-tech suit with an Auto-hill-Step feature that automatically steps up one-block heights, saving you from constant jumping. You’ll also find a katana and a rechargeable drill with 3D models. The drill runs on batteries, and as of update 0.9.3, charged batteries can even be used as attributes in tinker constructs if you have the relevant mods installed.
Another handy tool is the Area Dampener, which temporarily disables quarries in a selected region. This is perfect for when you’re building or reconfiguring your setup. Admins can manage these devices through the /trigger QuarryAdmin command, and a dedicated guidebook explains all the fine-tuning options.
Known Quirks and Compatibility Notes
Before you jump in, there are a few things to keep in mind. The datapack uses a squid spawn egg to display quarry blocks, and the resource pack overrides the models for command blocks and that egg. If you’re using other resource packs, you might need to merge model files to avoid conflicts. Additionally, quarries currently don’t work in alternate dimensions like the Nether or the End. The developer has acknowledged this as a complex issue that may be addressed in future updates.
You’ll also need to ensure that the chunk at coordinates [0, 0] is loaded. On a server, run /forceload add 0 0 to prevent the mechanism from glitching. And a quick tip: the Silk Touch upgrade requires slime blocks, not slimeballs—a common mistake players make.
What’s on the Horizon?
The developer has big plans for this datapack. Upcoming features include a Filler for rapid area construction, a vacuum hopper for item collection, smarter chest interaction systems, and datapack-based chunk loaders. Some of the code for chunk loader fueling is already in place, with the technical side of chunk loading still being worked out.
Final Thoughts
Automated Quarries: Automatic Mining Datapack for Minecraft is a brilliant way to automate resource gathering without the overhead of heavy mods like BuildCraft or IndustrialCraft. It’s easy to install on any vanilla server, supports multiplayer seamlessly, and offers a deep upgrade system that keeps things interesting. While it has a few limitations, like the lack of dimension support, it more than delivers on its core promise.
If you value your time and enjoy tech-inspired solutions in Minecraft, this datapack is well worth a try. To get started, you’ll want to download Automated Quarries: Automatic Mining Datapack for Minecraft from a trusted source. The installation is simple: place the datapack and resource pack in the appropriate folders, or use a launcher that handles it for you. Once you learn how to install it, you’ll wonder how you ever mined without it. This is one addition that truly pays for itself in the long run.
Whether you’re a solo player looking to speed up your progression or a server admin seeking a fair, automated mining solution for your community, Automated Quarries: Automatic Mining Datapack for Minecraft for Minecraft is a must-have addition to your world.