- For the goblin shaman, see Initiate Goldmine.
Gold mines are outcroppings of rock where gold ore can be found and collected. In Warcraft I, Warcraft II, and Warcraft III, they are neutral buildings where worker units can gather gold inside of them. The harvested gold is then (in addition to lumber) used as a "currency" to build buildings, train units, and purchase items or upgrades for heroes. As such, gold mines are extremely important to achieve victory.
First War[]
- Main article: Gold Mine (Warcraft I)
Human description[]
King Llane had sent many a surveyor into the hills and mountains throughout the kingdom in search of new deposits of gold. One could discover one of these sites, and find that there were still veins of the precious metal to be mined. Peasants could be trained in the skills required to mine and deliver this gold to a Town Hall for disbursement.[1]
Orc description[]
Some rock faces held deposits of gold. One would recognize them because Blackhand had sent searchers out, and any that were located would have an entry way clearly marked. Peons would mine these holes and deliver the gold to a Town Hall for disbursement.[2]
Second War[]
- Main article: Gold Mine (Warcraft II)
Mined from the rich earth of Azeroth and Lordaeron, this precious metal was commonly used in exchange for goods and services. As a rare substance that was always in short supply, Gold had to be dug out from the rock and soil within established Gold Mines. Many of these Mines were abandoned when the orc raids began and the workers fled for their very lives. Since the beginning of the War, these sites were frequently operated while under the protection of military forces.[3]
In the aftermath of the war, Vereesa Windrunner and Falstad Wildhammer infiltrated the old dwarven city of Grim Batol through an abandoned gold mine shaft.[4]
Third War[]
- Main article: Gold Mine (Warcraft III)
Mined from the rich earth of Azeroth and Lordaeron, this precious metal is commonly used in exchange for goods and services. As a rare substance that is always in short supply, Gold must be dug out from the rock and soil within the established Gold Mines. Many of these Mines were abandoned when the orc raids began and the workers fled for their lives. Since the beginning of the War, these sites have frequently been operated while under the protection of military forces.
Gold mines can also become haunted or entangled.
A massive gold mine could be found in the dungeons and caverns beneath the Darkspear Islands, inhabited by gnolls led by a miser.[5] The Stonetalon Peak caverns also had two gold mines, led by kobolds.[6] The kobolds had another gold mine in Dustwallow Marsh.[7]
Gold was scarce even in the height of the Alliance's power.[8]
In the RPG[]
The RPG describes several mines that are not canon anymore, for example Opal Ridge and Goldcrease Mine.
World of Warcraft[]
Mines can be found all throughout Azeroth, Outland and Draenor, and even in battlegrounds such as Arathi Basin. While a few mines have been abandoned retaking them is often an important objective for the local factions.
Many sites in World of Warcraft are not true gold mines and are used to mine other ore veins instead such as Saronite or gems.
Mines in Lordaeron[]
Mines in Khaz Modan[]
Mines in Azeroth[]
- Elwynn Forest:
- Echo Ridge Mine
- Fargodeep Mine
- Jasperlode Mine
- Darkhollow Mine (removed during the World of Warcraft alpha)
Mines in the Great Sea and South Seas[]
Mines in Kalimdor[]
- Barrens:
- Boulder Lode Mine
- Unnamed mine at the Kor'kron elemental camp
- Frazzlecraz Motherlode
Mines in Outland[]
Mines in Northrend[]
Mines in Pandaria[]
Mines in Draenor[]
Mines in Kul Tiras[]
- Drustvar:
- Bleak Hills Mine (silver mine)
- Tiragarde Sound:
- Winterchill Mine (Azerite mine)
Mines in Zandalar[]
Gallery[]
In The Oracle.
In Old Hatreds.
References[]
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Gold Mine
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Orcish Horde of the First War, Gold Mine
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Resources of the Land, Gold
- ^ Day of the Dragon, chapter 16
- ^ The Fires Down Below (WC3 demo)
- ^ The Oracle (WC3 Orc)
- ^ Old Hatreds (WC3 Orc)
- ^ [4] Night Web's Hollow