Mines play a vital role in Tropico 6, providing key materials for industrial production and exports. Understanding how to efficiently extract and utilize these resources can significantly impact your economy. This guide will cover all the major mining resources, their uses, and when to focus on them throughout the different eras.

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Types of Mining Resources

Tropico 6 features several mineable resources:

• Coal
• Iron
• Gold
• Uranium
• Aluminum
• Nickel
• (More resources may unlock in the Modern Era)

These resources can be located using the Overlays Menu, which highlights deposit locations across the island. Keep in mind that even after a mine is depleted, the overlay might still show the deposit, which can be misleading.

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Coal

Primary Uses:

• Fueling Steel Mills (combined with iron)
• Powering Power Plants
• Can be exported for early-game income

Strategy:

• Colonial Era: Coal isn’t necessary unless exported, but it’s often better to focus on renewable plantations.
• World Wars Era: Start mining coal to fuel power plants.
• Later Eras: Coal becomes crucial for continuous electricity production if oil isn’t available.

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Iron

Primary Uses:

• Steel production (processed in Steel Mills)

Strategy:

• Iron is only useful when processed into steel, so don’t mine it unless you have a Steel Mill.
• Place Steel Mills close to Iron Mines to reduce transportation time.
• Steel is an essential component for Weapons Factories, making it valuable in later eras.

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Gold

Primary Uses:

• Export as a high-value raw material
• Process into Jewelry (via Jewelry Workshop, available in Cold War Era)

Strategy:

• Save gold deposits for Jewelry Workshops, as processed gold is more profitable than raw exports.
• If exporting gold early, prioritize trade deals for maximum profit.

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Uranium

Primary Uses:

• Nuclear Power Plants (Cold War Era and beyond)
• Weapon production (potentially in later game stages)

Strategy:

• Uranium deposits appear only in the Cold War Era.
• Check for new deposits when advancing eras—often found in discolored terrain.
• Nuclear Power Plants provide massive energy output, so securing a uranium mine is crucial for high-energy demands.

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Aluminum

Primary Uses:

• (Unclear, potentially used in advanced industries in the Modern Era)
• Can be exported for quick cash

Strategy:

• Aluminum is scarce on many maps, so keep an eye out for available deposits.
• Until its primary purpose is clear, exporting aluminum is often the best option.

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Nickel

Primary Uses:

• Required for Weapons Factories (alongside Steel)

Strategy:

• Weapons are a highly valuable export, making nickel a key resource in the World Wars Era.
• Place Nickel Mines close to Steel Mills and Weapons Factories for optimized production.
• Nickel demand increases with military trade deals, so monitor global market prices.

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Best Mining Strategies for Each Era

Colonial Era (Early Game)

• Avoid over-mining. Focus on plantations and raw exports instead.
• Coal and iron aren’t necessary yet unless exported.
• Gold should be saved for later Jewelry Workshop use.

World Wars Era (Mid Game)

• Begin extracting coal and iron to fuel industry.
• Establish steel production and consider making weapons.
• Nickel becomes valuable for weapons manufacturing.

Cold War Era (Late Game)

• Start uranium mining for Nuclear Power Plants.
• Invest in Jewelry Workshops for gold processing.
• Maintain a steady supply of steel and nickel for weapon exports.

Modern Era (End Game)

• More advanced industries open up. Keep an eye on new mining opportunities.
• Optimize power production using uranium and high-efficiency factories.
• Diversify exports between jewelry, vehicles, and military goods.

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Final Thoughts

Efficient mining management is essential for economic growth in Tropico 6. By understanding the best use cases for each resource, you can build a thriving economy without wasting valuable deposits too early.

If you found this guide helpful, let us know in the comments. Now go forth and mine, El Presidente!