Where did all the metal go?

[redking]

This is a question that I raised on this thread.

@redking

Here is a list of modern deep mines. These underground mines go kilometers under the earth.

Athas likely has many deposits of metallic ore deep underground. It’s the surface mining sources that are spent. Mining without machinery this deep is probababy impossible for humans and probably even for dwarves. If a Sorcerer Monarch could locate a source through divination (they won’t even try because they don’t know about modern geology, however), they could use undead creatures, golems, or other created for purpose constructs to mine the ore.