Valheim: Mining and smelting of metals - guide & tips Valheim guide, walkthrough
Last update: 18 February 2021
On this page of the Valheim guide, you will learn how to mine basic metals like Copper and Tin, how to build a forge, and how to smelt metals to obtain bars.
Mining and smelting metals give you a chance to make better quality armor and tools. However, this will require a lot of work and raw materials, so it is worth preparing for it.
- How to mine copper and tin?
- How to get scrap iron?
- How to mine silver and obsidian?
- How to build a smelter, a charcoal kiln, and a forge?
- How to melt metals?
- How to make bronze bars?
How to mine copper and tin?
Before you head to the Black Forest biome and start mining the basic metals (copper and tin), you will first need to get the right tool - an Antler Pickaxe. For information on how to unlock and create Antler Pickaxe, see the separate FAQ page of this guide.
Tin deposits are small stone-like deposits found near water. If you aren't sure whether you came across a tin deposit, walk up to the stone and see if the game will display information about finding a deposit.
A copper deposit is much larger and it can be found in the Black Forest biome – you will recognize it by its distinctive bright dots and green growth. It is important to note here that you can fail to mine copper. Sometimes you will have to mine a large part of the deposit before you get an ore.
How to get scrap iron?
Scrap iron can be found in the Swamps as Muddy scrap piles or in the Sunken Crypt (requires Swamp Key - obtained after defeating the second boss, The Elder). Another way to obtain scrap iron is to kill Ooze, which you will find in this biome.
Scrap iron deposits can be found on the surface, but also underground, so use Wishbone to find them faster (obtained after defeating the 3rd boss - Bonemass). When your character is near a deposit, the Wishbone will emit green light and make a distinctive sound - this will intensify as you get closer to the hidden deposit or treasure.
The metal deposits are dark in color and usually have pieces of bone stuck in them. You will need a Bronze Pickaxe or a better quality tool to extract this metal.
How to mine silver and obsidian?
Silver and Obsidian can be found in the Mountains biome, both above and below ground. You will need an Iron Pickaxe to extract them. This biome has a harsh, very cold climate, so you will need to properly protect your character from the negative effects of the cold - information on this can be found on a separate page of our guide.
It is easy to miss Silver veins and Obsidian deposits since they are hidden underground, especially during a snowstorm, so use the Wishbone. When your character is near a deposit, the Wishbone will emit green light and make a distinctive sound - this will intensify as you get closer to the hidden deposit or treasure.
A silver vein is easy to miss because it blends in with the textures of the mountains. If you spot a piece of rock that shimmers slightly, walk up to it and see if the screen displays information about finding a metal deposit.
An obsidian deposit looks like a sizable dark stone. They are easy to miss, just like silver veins - especially when they are covered by snow.
How to build a smelter, a charcoal kiln, and a forge?
To smelt metal in Valheim, you will need a forge as your workstation, as well as a smelter and a charcoal kiln. Besides normal stone, you will also need 10 pieces of Surtling core, a rare resource that can be obtained while exploring Burial Chambers - you can find them in random places in the Black Forest.
Burial Chamber is a dangerous place - it is completely dark, there are skeletons all around and some of them are elite units (2 stars). We recommend bringing the best armor you have, torches, as well as food supplies, and appropriate weapons. The Stagbreaker hammer is perfect for fighting in tight spaces - you can find out how to get this weapon on a separate page in our guide.
You can find a single Surtling core in random places in the underground complex. However, the biggest supplies of this rare resource can be found in the final chambers, which are usually guarded by much stronger opponents (2 stars). If you fail to collect the required number of items in one Burial Chamber, you will have to search the Black Forest area for another one.
After getting all the resources, equip your character with a hammer and then build two buildings: a smelter and a charcoal kiln. Place them close to each other for easy and quick access.
To build a forge, a workshop similar to a workbench, you will need 6 Copper and 4 Coal, among other things. This means that you must first learn how to operate the smelter and charcoal kiln to melt the metals you have previously mined.
How to melt metals?
Once you have acquired the raw materials, built a smelter and a charcoal kiln, you can get to work melting ores into bars.
First, approach the charcoal kiln and throw some wood (max 25 pieces) into it to start a fire and produce coal.
After a short while, coal will start falling out of the furnace - 1 unit at a time. Collect it and approach the smelter.
Find a rectangular opening on the right and insert the coal you made earlier - a maximum of 20 pieces at a time.
On the other side of the smelter, you will find a round hole through which you can place an ore, e.g. Copper ore and/or Tin ore - you can mix them, it doesn't matter. They will simply melt in the order in which they were added.
After a short while, bars will start falling out on the ground – you can use them in the forge to craft new items.
How to make bronze bars?
Bronze bars can be created in the forge by combining copper and tin bars. You can produce one bronze bar at a time or in a stack of 5 bronze bars.