Mining is an activity available in Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories. Going to the mines is the fastest way to earn much needed money to buy precious seeds and grow crops & flowers. The clock does not tick once you're inside the mine. So All you need is a hammer and a hoe. The best method to dig for the next ladder is to dig the perimeter of the room, followed by the next row in. The ladder never seems to appear within a 1-square radius of the previous ladder.