TFC IE Minerals: IE Excavator for TFC Ore Veins
This add-on merges the geological depth of TerraFirmaCraft with the industrial power of Immersive Engineering. Instead of manual mining, you deploy the IE Excavator to tap into TFC-style mineral veins, turning scattered deposits into a steady, automated resource stream. The mod is built for stable modpacks and servers, prioritizing clean integration and predictable yields.
What the Mod Delivers
TFC IE Minerals redefines ore extraction by mapping TFC vein logic onto the Excavator multiblock. Each vein contains rich, normal, and minor components, mirroring TFC's layered geology. You supply energy, position the machine correctly, and receive sorted outputs based on the chunk's mineral profile. This eliminates guesswork and scales production for mid-to-late-game engineering.
Installation and Version Compatibility
To download TFC IE Minerals: IE Excavator for TFC Ore Veins, grab the latest file from CurseForge or Modrinth. The mod targets Minecraft 1.18.2 and 1.20.1, running on Forge. Always match the version with your installed TerraFirmaCraft and Immersive Engineering builds. Place the JAR in the mods folder; no additional libraries are required beyond the two core dependencies. For server owners, ensure all clients have identical mod versions to prevent chunk-loading mismatches.
If you are assembling a modpack, verify that ore tags from other mods (like Mekanism or Firmalife) are present. The excavator only outputs materials that exist in the game registry—missing tags mean missing drops, not crashes.
How to Install and Configure
After downloading, drop the file into your mods directory. Launch the game once to generate the default config, then tweak vein weights or excavator energy costs in tfc_ie_minerals.toml. The excavator must be built according to IE's standard layout and placed over a chunk with a valid TFC vein. Use a prospector's pick or TFC's survey tools to locate rich deposits before committing heavy machinery.
Excavator Mechanics and Vein Logic
The excavator consumes rotational energy (or RF, depending on your IE setup) and extracts ore "packets" from the chunk. Each vein type defines three tiers:
- Rich – primary output, high yield.
- Normal – secondary material, moderate quantity.
- Minor – rare byproducts, low chance.
For example, a Cassiterite vein yields mostly tin (rich), with minor copper, gold, and iron. A Beryl vein gives andesite as the main block, plus a spread of gemstones like diamond, emerald, and sapphire in the minor slot. This tiered system keeps mining engaging and supports server economies where players trade scarce byproducts.
Key Vein Examples
Below is a condensed list of notable veins and their outputs. Starred (*) materials only appear if the corresponding ore is registered by another mod.
- Aikinite: rich copper, normal lead/bismuth, minor sulfur.
- Auricupride: rich copper, minor gold/tin/iron/sulfur.
- Bituminous Coal: rich coal, normal graphite, minor diamond.
- Cooperite: rich platinum/palladium*, normal nickel/iron/graphite.
- Chromite: rich chromium*, normal iron, minor graphite.
- Galena: rich lead, normal silver, minor zinc/borax.
- Magnetite: rich iron, normal titanium*/magnesium*.
- Uraninite: rich uranium*, normal iron/sulfur, minor borax.
- Wolframite: rich iron, normal tungsten*/manganese*/borax, minor zinc/calcite/iron.
Full documentation is available in the mod's in-game manual or on its download page.
Mod Synergies and Hard Dependencies
TFC IE Minerals: IE Excavator for TFC Ore Veins for Minecraft works best when paired with content mods that add rare metals. Firmalife enables chromium veins; TFC IE Addon unlocks lead, aluminum, and uranium; Mekanism introduces osmium and fluorite shards. Without these, the excavator simply skips missing entries—no errors, just fewer options. Always review your mod list before finalizing a pack to align expectations with actual outputs.
Quick Progression Tips
Start by scouting chunks with TFC prospecting tools. Mark coordinates of high-value veins like Hematite or Malachite. Build a basic IE power grid (waterwheels or windmills) to run the excavator at minimum speed. Upgrade to diesel generators or thermoelectrics as demand grows. Route outputs into IE conveyor belts or storage drawers for sorting. For multiplayer, assign vein types to different players to encourage trade and specialization.
This mod transforms ore gathering from a manual grind into an engineering challenge. Download TFC IE Minerals: IE Excavator for TFC Ore Veins today and integrate it into your next stable modpack.