You may not start off exitingly, but when you get down into the cave system under the extrem hills and plain biome,
you find about 7-9 diamonds, 3 dungeons, 2-3 emeralds (I'm not cuite sure what), a abondend mine, and a ravine. So have fun.

When you have gone through the cave system, you can just get on the surface and live there in peace and harmony with nature. (like anyone is going to do that, if you do, send pics! :D)

Additional Notes

dungeon 1: x:301 y:23 z:391
dungeon 2: x:166 y:36 z:327
dungeon 3: x:145 y:33 z:392
ravine: x:184 y:28 z:239
These coordinates are not a 100% accurate, but within 10 blocks. You have to find the mine for yourselves :D