Automated Quarries: Revolutionizing Resource Gathering in Minecraft
Mining by hand is a rite of passage in Minecraft, but once you have towering ambitions and need thousands of blocks, swinging a pickaxe feels painfully slow. That is where automated quarries step in, turning the grind into a fully automated spectacle. The Automated Quarries datapack brings exactly that to your world, letting you craft, place, and upgrade massive mining machines that tear through the landscape while you kick back and collect the spoils.
What Are Automated Quarries?
At its core, this datapack introduces a new type of block that acts like a self-operating quarry. Once placed and activated, it systematically digs out a large area down to bedrock, depositing every mined block into an adjacent chest. Unlike many mods that rely on complex energy systems or heavy machinery, this solution uses a lightweight datapack structure, making it server-friendly and surprisingly easy to set up. The quarries are fully multiplayer compatible, so your entire server can benefit from automated mining without conflicts.
Crafting Your First Quarry
Before you can watch the ground disappear beneath a whirring drill, you need to build the right tools. Start by crafting a Machine Workbench — a specialized crafting station that unlocks all the recipes in this pack. From there, you can assemble the quarry block itself using the workbench. If you ever forget the recipes, simply run /trigger QuarryBook to receive an in-game tutorial book with pictures and step-by-step instructions. The datapack also provides a quick summon command (/function quarry:blocks/quarry/summon) if you want to test the quarry without gathering materials first.
Getting the datapack installed can sometimes be tricky, but if you use the foxygame.net launcher, you can download mods right from the menu and have it set up in no time — a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher that handles all the heavy lifting. This makes adding the required LapisCore dependency and the Lapis Resources resource pack a breeze, so you can focus on building your automated empire.
Upgrading the Quarry for Maximum Efficiency
A basic quarry is powerful, but the real magic lies in the upgrade system. You can apply modifications while the quarry is running, tailoring its behavior to your needs. Here are the available upgrades:
- Show Particle Area – Insert a torch to visualize the quarry’s mining zone with particles.
- Speed Upgrade – Add redstone blocks to increase mining speed. Each block adds 8 blocks per level, up to a maximum of 64 blocks per tick.
- Ignore Stones and Dirt – Place a stonecutter inside to make the quarry skip common generated blocks like stone, dirt, and gravel, leaving only valuable ores.
- Fortune – Boost your ore yields by adding a Nether Star, Dragon Egg, Enchanted Golden Apple, or Totem of Undying. Each unique item grants one level of Fortune, stacking up to four levels.
- Silk Touch – Insert eight slime blocks (not slime balls) to enable Silk Touch, collecting blocks in their original form.
Mixing and matching these upgrades lets you design a quarry that perfectly fits your resource goals, whether you want a lightning-fast cobblestone generator or a delicate ore extractor.
Additional Tools and Features
Beyond the quarry itself, the datapack includes a suite of complementary items that enhance the automated mining experience. A chargeable drill speeds up manual excavation and can be recharged with batteries, which also work as a Tinkery attribute. The Techno Armor set provides protection while you monitor your machines, and the katana offers a swift melee option. For area management, the Area Dampener prevents unwanted block updates, and the lockbox keeps your valuables safe by only opening when a specific player is within two blocks. An admin menu (/trigger QuarryAdmin) and a Dampeners for Dummies book help you control every aspect of the system.
Known Issues and Compatibility
While the Automated Quarries datapack is robust, it does have a few quirks. It is currently not compatible with Minecraft version 1.15.X, though an update is promised soon. The quarry uses the squid_spawn_egg item for its block model, so the resource pack overrides the command_block and squid_spawn_egg JSON models — you may need to merge these if you use other resource packs. Placing blocks on non-full blocks sometimes results in a visual misalignment, and the quarry does not function in alternate dimensions yet. Most importantly, chunk [0,0] must remain loaded at all times; run /forceload add 0 0 to ensure the datapack works reliably.
Planned Future Features
The developer has an ambitious roadmap. Upcoming additions include a Filler block to automatically fill excavated areas, a vacuum hopper for better item collection, improved chest handling, a way to power quarries on and off, and even chunkloaders to keep distant quarries running. These features will make the datapack an even more complete automation solution.
Conclusion
Automated Quarries transforms the late-game grind into an elegant, hands-off operation. With a straightforward crafting tree, deep upgrade mechanics, and a host of supporting tools, it respects vanilla Minecraft’s spirit while delivering the industrial power players crave. Whether you are running a private world or a bustling multiplayer server, this datapack offers a compelling reason to stop digging manually and start designing your own automated mining network.