The Deeper you go the harder it becomes to mine, unless you use the appropriate gear.
Mine normally between Y levels 49 and up. Between 48 and 33 you begin to slow down. Between 32 and 17 things start to go dark. Once you get as deep as Y 16 you start taking damage if you don't equip the correct gear.
There are 3 levels of gear that are needed for each level with each increasing level of gear able to handle farther down. Once you reach level 3 gear you can go anywhere without consequence.
For modpack makers:
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