[Alien Race] Fish Out Of Water?

[ericthered]

I'm trying to think of ways to get around the forging problem. If they have strong source of electricity they might be able to do something with electroplating.

Another trick might be taking objects and putting them over vents so that minerals get deposited on them, but that requires using vents, and you don't want to tie your aliens to a rather rare habitat.

Now, as they are in caves, you might be able to do something with natural air bubbles trapped under non-porous rock. its likely got oxygen in it, and perhaps some other fuel