Agree on every point. I quit this game cuz of the grind when it released. just picked it up again 1 week ago, moded it with V+ so it can be 4x. 1x is to much of a grind.
Swamp war a bit of a relief, grind was actually quite easy.
Also like you, im at plains, so idk how that will play out yet.

But thats all this game has, sadly. 75%mining, 25% building n raiding dungeons on 1x.
Do i enjoy a lil bit of farming/grind? yes, but not what this game has.
Now on 4x, i moved my building/exploring/raiding to 70% and 30% mining stuff.
think i need to rebalance it to 3x, bit to little mining atm :))).

I will say a life saver is the cart. Bit boring the tug it after you, but it will save you many trips.