Revolutionizing Automated Mining with [IU] Simply Quarries
Mining in Minecraft has always been a core pillar of progression, but let us be honest — after your fifth hour of branch mining at Y-level 12, the thrill starts to wear thin. That is precisely where [IU] Simply Quarries enters the scene, transforming the way you gather ores and resources. Designed as a dedicated add-on for Industrial Upgrade, this mod introduces a streamlined yet powerful quarry system that digs directly from chunks, offering a refreshing alternative to the familiar IU Quantum Quarry.
What Exactly Is Simply Quarries?
At its heart, Simply Quarries is a focused expansion that slots neatly into the Industrial Upgrade ecosystem. Instead of overwhelming you with dozens of new machines, it delivers a single, highly configurable quarry block that extracts ores from the very fabric of generated chunks. Think of it as a surgical mining tool — it does not tear up the landscape like a BuildCraft quarry, but instead pulls resources from the chunk data itself, leaving your terrain pristine and your FPS intact.
The mod was created to fill a specific niche. While the Quantum Quarry from Industrial Upgrade already provides virtual mining, Simply Quarries offers a more granular, upgradeable experience. You start with a basic quarry that humbly chips away at the underground, and through dedication and resource investment, you transform it into an industrial powerhouse.
The Module System: Upgrade Your Way to Efficiency
The standout feature of Simply Quarries is undoubtedly its module system. Each quarry block comes with a set number of module slots, and as you level up the machine, those slots increase — unlocking new possibilities and synergies. This is not just a linear upgrade path; it is a playground for customization.
Types of Modules You Can Install
- Speed Modules — Reduce the ticks required per mining operation, dramatically increasing ore output over time.
- Fortune Modules — Apply a Fortune-like effect to mined ores, multiplying drops from coal, diamonds, redstone, and more.
- Silk Touch Modules — Extract ore blocks intact, perfect for players who prefer processing through their own macerators or pulverizers.
- Filter Modules — Whitelist or blacklist specific ores, letting you target diamonds while ignoring cobblestone and dirt.
- Energy Efficiency Modules — Lower the RF or EU consumption per operation, keeping your power grid happy.
Each module tier can be combined and stacked, meaning a fully upgraded quarry with multiple Fortune and Speed modules becomes an absolute beast. The progression feels rewarding because every new slot you unlock represents a tangible boost in productivity.
How the Quarry Interacts with Chunks
Unlike traditional quarries that physically excavate blocks from the world, the Simply Quarries machine operates on a chunk-based logic. When placed and powered, it scans the chunk it resides in and begins extracting ores based on that chunk's natural generation tables. This means the quarry respects the biome, the Y-level distributions, and even modded ore generation from other add-ons. If your world has custom ore spawns from mods like Thermal Foundation or Mekanism, the quarry will pull from those pools as well — making it exceptionally compatible with modpacks.
One clever aspect is that the quarry does not deplete the chunk permanently. Instead, it operates on a cooldown or energy-per-ore basis, simulating continuous extraction without permanently voiding the land of its riches. This design choice keeps servers healthy and prevents the kind of world scarring that makes admins groan.
Comparing Simply Quarries to the Quantum Quarry
Veterans of Industrial Upgrade will immediately wonder how this stacks up against the Quantum Quarry. The short answer is that Simply Quarries is not a replacement — it is a sidegrade with its own identity. The Quantum Quarry generates ores from a virtual dimension, essentially creating resources from nothing but power. Simply Quarries, by contrast, ties its output to the actual chunk data, which introduces an element of strategy. You will want to place your quarry in chunks that correspond to rich biomes or favorable Y-levels.
Additionally, the module system gives Simply Quarries a tactile sense of progression that the Quantum Quarry lacks. You are not just dumping power into a black box; you are tinkering with modules, balancing speed against fortune, and making decisions that reflect your current resource needs. For players who enjoy the process of optimization, this mod scratches that itch beautifully. Managing your mods becomes even more seamless when you use tools like the foxygame.net launcher, which lets you browse and install add-ons like Simply Quarries directly from its built-in menu, keeping your modpack organized without the usual hassle of manual file juggling.
Power Requirements and Infrastructure
As with any Industrial Upgrade add-on, Simply Quarries runs on RF or EU power, depending on your modpack configuration. The base quarry has modest energy demands, but as you stack Speed and Fortune modules, the power draw scales accordingly. You will need a solid mid-game power setup — think Advanced Generators, a well-fed Reactor, or a bank of vibrant capacitors — to keep a fully moduled quarry running around the clock.
The mod also integrates smoothly with common transport systems. Item conduits, ME networks, and traditional pipes can all extract the mined ores from the quarry's output face. Automation enthusiasts will appreciate how cleanly it slots into existing processing lines.
Getting Started: Tips for Early and Mid-Game
When you first craft the quarry, resist the urge to immediately chase Speed modules. Start with a single Energy Efficiency module to stabilize your power consumption, then invest in a Fortune module to maximize the value of every ore pulled. Once your power infrastructure catches up, layer in Speed modules one by one. The quarry levels up through use — each tier increase permanently adds a module slot, so consistent operation is key.
Placement matters more than you might think. Chunks under extreme hills biomes often yield emeralds, while ocean chunks can surprise you with buried treasure loot tables if your pack includes those integrations. Experiment with different locations and keep a log of output rates. You will quickly identify sweet spots that outperform others.
Compatibility and Modpack Integration
Simply Quarries is built specifically for Industrial Upgrade, so you will need that core mod installed. Beyond that, it plays nicely with most major tech and magic mods. JEI integration shows you module recipes and quarry upgrade paths. The mod author has kept the scope intentionally tight, which means fewer conflicts and a lighter footprint — music to the ears of anyone who has wrestled with bloated mod lists.
Final Thoughts
[IU] Simply Quarries succeeds by doing one thing exceptionally well: it makes automated mining feel personal. The module system invites experimentation, the chunk-based extraction rewards strategic placement, and the visual feedback of a leveling quarry gives you a genuine sense of building something powerful over time. Whether you are a solo player tired of the pickaxe grind or a server operator looking for a lag-friendly mining solution, this mod delivers.
It respects your time, challenges your optimization skills, and integrates seamlessly into the Industrial Upgrade family. If you have ever wished for a quarry that grows with you — rather than just sitting there consuming power — Simply Quarries is the answer you have been digging for.