As the spider and the zombie slowly crept up on him, Steve continued to obliviously tap away at the gold ore with his pickaxe.  
They were closing in now - so close - a foot, no, less than that, and then -  

POP! 

A loud sound reverberates through the cavern and a piece of gold ore flies over Steve's shoulder and hits the zombie in the face, causing an almost comical slapping noise.  
The zombie fell flat on its back and the spider practically flew across the field and out of sight just as Steve turned around.  
Steve noticed the ore floating on top of the zombie's face, but failed to notice who was underneath until he picked the gold up and found himself face-to-face with a startled zombie.  
Both of them stared at each other blankly for a moment, before the zombie turned and fled back to the entrance of the cave, leaving a confused Steve holding a single piece of gold ore. 
Steve scratched his head for a moment, before turning to find the ladder missing. 
He hesitated for a moment, but there was no alternative - after all that work, Steve had to place down the ore so he could get back to his chest.