5 best Minecraft mining levels for ores in 1.21

Minecraft's 1.21 update has been released on both Java and Bedrock platforms. Fans are diving back into their worlds and creating new ones to enjoy the new content that the update brings. However, players will need plenty of resources, including the likes of iron, gold, diamonds, redstone dust, and ancient debris, for their crafting purposes. But where can the ores for these resources be found?

The good news is that ore distribution hasn't been shifted in Minecraft's Tricky Trials update. The same mining height levels that worked well for players in recent updates still work well in version 1.21.

Still, it doesn't hurt to take a look at some of the best mining levels for collecting precious ores.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer

---

5 of the best Minecraft 1.21 height levels for mining ores

1) Y=-59 (Diamond Ore)

Diamond ore is easier to find in Minecraft the deeper players mine (Image via Mojang)

When it comes to diamond ore blocks in Minecraft, players will have to dig deep. Diamond ore generation continues to increase the lower the elevation, making level Y=-59 a prime location for mining diamond ore since it's incredibly low to the bottom of the world before bedrock blocks begin to occupy diamond ore generation at the height levels below it.

Sometimes, Y=-59 isn't always easily accessible. However, the rule of thumb when digging for diamonds is to mine as low as possible even if players can hit the absolute bottom of their game worlds due to underground terrain generation.

---

2) Y=14 (Iron Ore)

Iron ore has a heavy concentration in a small range of Minecraft height levels (Image via Mojang)

Although iron ore is one of the more common ores to be found, it nonetheless has a tendency to generate in higher concentrations in a small range of Minecraft mining levels. Specifically, the range of Y=12 to Y=16 has a sizable quantity of iron ore blobs, with Y=14 being the apex of the generation. Players might be able to find iron ore elsewhere, but Y=14 will likely give them the best opportunity.

Each in-game world seed generates differently. If Y=14 ends up not working out as well as intended, as long as players stay within a few height levels of Y=14, they should be in good shape to find plenty of iron ore.

---

3) Y=-18 (Gold Ore)

Gold ore is somewhat common in Minecraft, but still has deeper concentrations in certain areas (Image via Mojang)

Gold ore is a bit more widespread compared to other ores. However, there are still Minecraft mining levels where it can be found more plentifully. This tends to occur in 1.21 worlds at around Y=-18, where standard gold ore and deepslate gold ore blocks' generation converge. Gold can be found elsewhere (including Y=8 for standard gold ore blocks), but concentrates heavily at Y=-18.

Gold can obviously also be obtained via farming and such. However, if players are dedicated to mining it, then it's best to go where the gold ore blocks generate the most.

---

4) Y=-59 (Redstone Ore)

Redstone ore tends to generate plentifully at low elevations in Minecraft (Image via Mojang)

Although redstone ore can be found before reaching negative height levels, it generates in much higher amounts as players descend, particularly once they reach the deepslate layers. This makes it somewhat similar to diamond ore's generation.

However, redstone ore reaches its highest concentration levels shortly before diamonds do. Specifically, players can search near Y=-59 for optimal results.

Mining may not be the only way players can collect redstone dust, but it remains an excellent way to rack up a healthy supply without building a farm.

---

5) Y=16 (Ancient Debris)

Ancient debris is rare but worth hunting down (Image via Mojang)

Ancient debris might be the rarest ore, but there are still a few ways to find it more reliably. Based on the ancient debris clusters that generate per chunk in the Nether, players can find the rare block at various Minecraft mining levels. However, Y=16 and other nearby height levels tend to be players' best bet at finding ancient debris, and while tricky to get to, they'll provide solid results.

Ancient debris is generated with the intent of not being exposed to open air. Players might have to bring along a durable Efficiency-enchanted pickaxe or some TNT to blast mine through the block layers and find those sneakily hidden ancient debris blocks.