uranium ore is a crafting element and a throwing weapon, so there is a precedent. Merging them would just make more sense since they are both worthless low level items. That and flint is a rock, you should be able to throw it like the ores. If you had them spawn together unless they changed the tint of one of them it would be confusing.
Not saying your wrong it's just you can't just get rid of flint as you suggested (I think?).
As far as I can tell he's on about getting rid of rock and using flint as rock as well as its usual features.
I really hate it when I need a rock and...
What could you possibly need a rock for, that another, easier to procure item wouldn't suffice? the only thing I can think of is intentionally nerfing your punches for slaving.That said, If rocks are an integral component of the game, I think there should be a non-negligible change of mining attempts failing, and producing a rock instead of ore/minerals.