Where to Find All 9 Mines in Death Stranding 2 (March 2026 Guide)

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach revolutionizes resource gathering with its innovative mining system, introducing 9 strategic mines scattered across the Australian continent. If you’re struggling to find materials for those massive highway projects or simply want to unlock the coveted “Dig, Dig, Dig!” trophy, this comprehensive guide reveals every mine location, their materials, and expert tips for maximizing your resource farming efficiency.

Unlike the tedious scavenging of the first game, Death Stranding 2’s mines offer instant bulk materials in exchange for Chiral Crystals. In total, there are nine mines in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, each producing specific resources crucial for rebuilding civilization. Whether you’re a completionist aiming for that platinum trophy or just trying to make Sam’s journey easier, mastering the mine system is absolutely essential.

Death Stranding 2: Quick Mine Overview

Mine Name	Type	Material	Chiral Cost (Lv1)	Output (Lv1)	Monorail
Smoke Hill Mine	Small	Ceramics	800	960	No
Mine North of F1	Large	Special Alloys	2000	4800	Yes (West)
Twin Valley Mine	Small	Chemicals	1200	720	No
Mine North of Tar Lake	Large	Ceramics	1600	3200	Yes (Central)
Mine Near F3 Crater	Large	Resins	1000	3200	Yes (West)
Northeastern Mine	Large	Metals	1200	4800	Yes (East)
Savanna Mine	Small	Special Alloys	900	2400	No
Mine North of F6	Large	Resins	1000	3200	Yes (East)
South Edge Mine	Small	Metals	600	1200	No

Understanding Death Stranding 2’s Mining System

Before we dive into specific locations, let’s understand how mines fundamentally change your resource-gathering strategy. Mines are introduced early on in Australia, and come in two forms – small mines, and large mines. Nice and simple. Smaller mines tend to be more isolated, give fewer materials, but also require less Chiral Crystals to create those materials. Large mines are the opposite, filling up large sections of the map, giving a massive amount of resources, but requiring quite a few Chiral Crystals to produce them.

How Mines Work

The mining process follows these key steps:

1. Restoration Phase: Before you can benefit from the use of DS2’s mines, you’ll first need to restore them. You will encounter this system fairly early in the game, when you receive the sub-order to Restore Smoke Hill Mine. Essentially, all mines require Sam to deposit specific amounts of certain materials. The large mines will always require Special Alloys and Resin, while the small mines seem to require only Special Alloys.
2. Mining Process: Once a facility has been restored, you must offer it up Chiral Crystals to mine the materials in question. This process is instantaneous, giving you all the materials at once. You cannot give a partial amount to get less materials, either. It is all or nothing.
3. Transportation: Larger mines also tend to be connected to a monorail to allow the faster transport of these large number of materials.

Death Stranding 2: Complete Mine Locations Guide

Small Mines (4 Total)

Small mines are perfect for quick resource runs when you don’t need massive quantities. They’re strategically placed near roads for easy truck access.

1. Smoke Hill Mine – Your First Mining Experience

Material Produced: Ceramics
Chiral Crystal Cost: 800 for 960 units
Location: Smoke Hill Mine is located north of The Government’s Base, and east of the Western Environmental Observatory in southwestern Australia.

This mine serves as your introduction to the mining system through Sub Order 104. It’s perfectly positioned for early-game ceramic needs when building your first major infrastructure projects. The nearby road connection makes it ideal for truck transportation.

Pro Tip: Even though it’s a small mine, Smoke Hill produces enough ceramics to complete several auto-paver segments. Visit it early and often!

2. Twin Valley Mine – The Dangerous Chemical Source

Material Produced: Chemicals
Chiral Crystal Cost: 1200 for 720 units
Location: The Twin Valley Mine is the only Chemicals mine in the game, and it’s right in the middle of a brigand outpost, meaning you’ll need to eliminate a lot of them before mining anything.

If you follow the road – or Auto-Pavers – east from the F2 South Distribution Center, you’ll find the mine just past Auto-Paver AUS-HIGHWAY-03-04.

Strategy: Clear the enemy camp first using stealth or combat. Consider bringing:

• Sticky Gun for silent takedowns (check out all weapon locations here)
• Blood Grenades for emergencies
• A truck parked safely outside the camp

3. Savanna Mine – Hidden Special Alloys

Material Produced: Special Alloys
Chiral Crystal Cost: 900 for 2400 units
Location: The Savanna Mine is located on the small island on the eastern side of the map that sits between the desert to the north, and the mountains to the south. The closest shelters to the Savanna mine are the Ghost Hunter to the southwest, and East Fort Knot to the southeast.

The Savanna Mine is easy to miss, as there isn’t too much else to see on this small island. You should climb the hill for some Chiral Crystals and some unique vistas, though.

4. South Edge Mine – Late-Game Metal Supply

Material Produced: Metals
Chiral Crystal Cost: 600 for 1200 units
Location: The final mine in DS2 – South Edge Mine – is located directly south of the Southern Environmental Observatory. You can also follow the roads southwest from South Fort Knot.

Despite being discovered late, this mine offers the cheapest metal production in the game, making it perfect for finishing those final auto-pavers in the southern regions.

Large Mines (5 Total)

Large mines are the backbone of your material economy, each connected to the monorail system for efficient bulk transport.

5. Mine North of F1 – Special Alloy Powerhouse

Material Produced: Special Alloys
Chiral Crystal Cost: 2000 for 4800 units
Location: The Mine North of F1 is located on the western coast, just north of West Fort Knot. This will likely be the first large mine connected to the monorail you encounter.

Restoring this mine is completed during Main Order 013, available from West Fort Knot (F1). Connected to West Monorail Line.

This mine is absolutely crucial for mid-to-late game progression. The massive Special Alloy output feeds directly into:

• Safe House construction
• Advanced structure upgrades
• High-tier equipment fabrication

Monorail Tip: Use the West Line to transport materials directly to The Inventor’s facility nearby.

6. Mine North of Tar Lake – Ceramic Central

Material Produced: Ceramics
Chiral Crystal Cost: 1600 for 3200 units
Location: Geographically, the Mine North of Tar Lake is the next mine Sam can restore. This mine is located directly east of the Northern Environmental Observatory.

Connected to the Central Monorail Line, this mine becomes your primary ceramic source for the massive highway restoration projects in central Australia.

7. Mine Near F3 Crater – Northern Resin Supply

Material Produced: Resins
Chiral Crystal Cost: 1000 for 3200 units
Location: If you look in the center of the map’s northern coast, you’ll see a massive crater lake. To the west of the crater, you’ll see a long peninsula where the Mine Near F3 Crater is located.

Once the Northwest Line is complete, this mine is the best source of Resins.

The unique crater location makes this mine memorable and easy to find. The monorail connection allows quick resin distribution across the northern territories.

8. Northeastern Mine – Metal Mountain

Material Produced: Metals
Chiral Crystal Cost: 1200 for 4800 units
Location: The Northeastern Mine can be found just beyond the northern edge of the ‘oasis’ area in the northeastern desert. The ‘oasis’ area is the large section of greenery that surrounds The Motherhood.

Make sure to visit The Pioneer and The Motherhood when you activate the Northeastern Mine.

Special Note: If you haven’t accessed The Motherhood yet, check our guide on the Motherhood passcode.

9. Mine North of F6 – Southern Resin Hub

Material Produced: Resins
Chiral Crystal Cost: 1000 for 3200-3840 units (varies by level)
Location: The final large mine, Mine North of F6, is located along the southeastern coast of Australia. If you follow the monorail line or tracklayers south from East Fort Knot, you can miss the large circular structure.

This mine offers excellent value for Chiral Crystals and serves as the primary resin source for the entire southeastern region.

Death Stranding 2: Restoring and Upgrading Mines

Initial Restoration Requirements

Online player contributions contribute toward the repairs, so you aren’t required to contribute the full number of materials yourself unless you are playing completely offline.

Large Mine Restoration typically requires:

• 400-800 Special Alloys
• 200-400 Resins
• Connected to Chiral Network for player assistance

Small Mine Restoration typically requires:

• 200-400 Special Alloys only
• Can be restored solo more easily

Upgrade Benefits

Most mines can be upgraded further after they are restored, which allows you to mine more materials at once for the same number of Chiral Crystals.

Each upgrade level provides:

• Level 2: 20% more materials per mining operation
• Level 3: 40% more materials per mining operation
• Increased durability against timefall damage

Community Contribution System

Like all other major structures in Death Stranding 2, mines can be contributed to by all players once they are connected to the Chiral Network. Even if you don’t have the materials to restore a mine, make sure to check them often to see if other players have contributed materials.

Chiral Crystal Farming Strategies

The biggest challenge with mining isn’t finding the mines—it’s gathering enough Chiral Crystals to operate them efficiently.

Primary Crystal Sources

1. Mine Surroundings: There will typically be a tar pool with plenty of Chiral Crystals inside it for the gathering.
2. BT Encounters: All BTs drop at least one large source of Chiral Crystals when killed (and the gold BTs drop dozens of them)
3. Timefall Areas: Chiral Crystals also appear more commonly during Timefall, so keep your eyes open for any during your travels to stock up more quickly.

Crystal Farming Route

For maximum efficiency, I recommend this farming circuit:

1. Start at any large mine
2. Collect surrounding crystals (usually 500-1000)
3. Clear nearby BT areas
4. Move to next mine via monorail
5. Repeat the process

Pro Tip: Equip the Blood Grenade launcher and EX Grenades for quick BT farming. Learn about all weapon locations in our complete guide.

Material Transportation Methods

Once you’ve mined your materials, getting them where they need to go is crucial.

For Large Mines (Monorail Connected)

Monorail – this will allow you to transport huge amounts of materials at once, but first you need to rebuild the rails leading out of the mine

The monorail system offers:

• Instant transport between connected stations
• No weight limits
• Protection from timefall
• Automatic distribution to private lockers

For Small Mines (Road Access)

Truck – trucks can carry a lot of cargo at once, so this option is suitable if you want to use the materials to rebuild a road or railway tracks

Best vehicles for mine transport:

• Pickup Off-Roader: Maximum cargo capacity
• Floating Carriers: For shorter distances
• DHV Magellan: Use fast travel for long-distance transport

Strategic Mining Tips

Early Game (Episodes 3-6)

1. Prioritize Smoke Hill Mine for ceramics
2. Restore Mine North of F1 for Special Alloys
3. Focus on mines near your main delivery routes

Mid Game (Episodes 7-11)

1. Connect all monorail lines to large mines
2. Establish crystal farming routes
3. Upgrade frequently-used mines to Level 2

Late Game (Episodes 12-17)

1. Max upgrade all mines for efficiency
2. Use hot springs for fast travel between mining locations
3. Stockpile materials for post-game content

Death Stranding 2: Mining for Specific Projects

Highway Restoration

• Primary Need: Metals and Ceramics
• Best Mines: Northeastern Mine + Mine North of Tar Lake
• Strategy: Use monorail to shuttle materials to auto-pavers

Zip-Line Networks

• Primary Need: Chemicals and Special Alloys
• Best Mines: Twin Valley Mine + Mine North of F1
• Strategy: Clear Twin Valley camp first, then establish truck route

Safe House Construction

• Primary Need: Special Alloys
• Best Mines: Both Special Alloy mines
• Strategy: Upgrade these mines first for maximum output

Trophy Guide: Dig, Dig, Dig!

Unlocking the Dig, Dig, Dig! Trophy in DS2is very simple. All you must do is restore any three mines to working order, and the trophy will automatically unlock.

Fastest Trophy Route:

1. Smoke Hill Mine (tutorial mine)
2. Mine North of F1 (story-required)
3. Any third mine of your choice

The trophy typically unlocks around Episode 4-5 through natural progression.

Common Mining Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mining Without Upgrading: Always upgrade mines before heavy use—the material savings are significant
2. Ignoring Crystal Pools: If you happen to be passing by any mine, it is worth stopping by and collecting the crystals. Even if you don’t plan on mining anything, you can never have too many chiral crystals.
3. Forgetting Monorail Connections: Large mines without rail connections are only half as useful
4. Solo Restoration: Wait for Chiral Network connection to get community help
5. Poor Transport Planning: Always bring appropriate vehicles before mining

Integration with Other Systems

Connection Levels

Many facilities offer material rewards at higher connection levels, but mines provide bulk quantities instantly.

APAS Enhancements

Some APAS upgrades reduce material costs for structures, making your mined materials go further.

Episode Progression

Mines unlock progressively through the story. Don’t stress about finding them all early—the game spans 17 episodes with plenty of time for exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do mines produce materials without Chiral Crystals? 

A: Mines will also produce materials naturally over time. However, this passive production is extremely slow compared to active mining.

Q: Can mines be destroyed by timefall? 

A: Mines will degrade over time due to Timefall and natural disasters like other structures, so will need to be repaired if their durability runs out before they can be used again.

Q: Are there any mines in Mexico? 

A: There are no mines located in Mexico, all are located in Australia.

Q: Which material is rarest? 

A: Chemicals are by far the least frequently needed of all material resources in the game. There’s only one chemicals mine, but you won’t need many.

Q: What’s the best mine for beginners? 

A: Mine North of F1 is ideal—it’s story-required, produces valuable Special Alloys, and connects to the monorail early.

Q: Can I transport mined materials with the music player active? 

A: Yes! The music player system works during all transport activities, making those mining runs more enjoyable.

Q: Do upgraded mines cost more Chiral Crystals to operate? 

A: No, upgraded mines provide more materials for the same crystal cost, making upgrades always worthwhile.

Q: Can other players use my restored mines? 

A: Yes, restored and connected mines become available to all players in the strand system, contributing to collaborative rebuilding.

Conclusion

Death Stranding 2’s mining system transforms resource gathering from a chore into a strategic element that enhances the core delivery gameplay. Mines are by far the most efficient way to stockpile materials in Death Stranding 2 as long as you have enough Chiral Crystals, so you should prioritize bringing them online whenever you encounter a new one.

Whether you’re building highways to connect isolated settlements or crafting advanced equipment for dangerous deliveries, these nine mines provide everything you need. Remember to check back regularly as the community restores and upgrades these vital facilities together.

The real beauty of Death Stranding 2’s mine system lies in how it reinforces the game’s themes of connection and rebuilding. Every mine restored is another step toward reconnecting humanity, and every material transported brings civilization back from the brink.

Keep on keeping on, and may your mines always overflow with materials!