Mining is one of the fundamental skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), allowing players to extract ores from rocks found throughout the game world. These ores are essential for Smithing and crafting, and mining itself can be a lucrative money-making method. Whether you're a pure aiming to gather materials for crafting or a skiller grinding out experience, this comprehensive Mining guide will walk you through the most efficient and effective ways to level from 1 to 99.

 

Why Train Mining?

Access to Resources: Mining unlocks the ability to gather ores like coal, iron, mithril, adamantite, and runite, which are crucial for Smithing and crafting high-level gear.

 

Profit Potential: Some ores, such as Runite and Amethyst, can be sold for high prices to get OSRS gold, making Mining a good money-maker.

 

Quests and Achievements: Certain quests require mining skill levels, and completing the Mining skill cape is a mark of prestige.

 

Skills Synergy: Mining pairs well with Smithing and can lead to useful items for combat or skilling.

 

What You'll Need to Start

Pickaxe: A pickaxe speeds up mining. Initially, use a bronze or iron pickaxe, but upgrade as soon as possible.

 

Inventory Space: Bring enough inventory space; consider banking runs or use the best spots with nearby banks.

 

Teleportation: Have some teleports ready to speed up banking or moving between mining sites.

 

Optional: Mining gloves and certain gear (like Varrock armour or prospector outfit) to increase experience or drop rates.

 

Mining 1-99: Step-by-Step Guide

Levels 1-15: Mining Copper and Tin

Location: Lumbridge Swamp Mining Site, South-east of Varrock, or Mining Guild (after level 60 Mining).

 

Start by mining Copper and Tin ores. These are the lowest level ores and the easiest to mine.

 

You can find them around Lumbridge Swamp or at the Al Kharid mine.

 

Use the best pickaxe you can wield.

 

Mining Copper and Tin until level 15 is straightforward and quick.

 

Levels 15-41: Mining Iron Ore

Iron ore gives good experience and is used heavily for smithing.

 

Iron rocks are scattered all around the game, with popular locations including:

 

Al Kharid Mine

 

Mining Guild (level 60 Mining required, but some iron rocks accessible before)

 

Dwarven Mine

 

Iron mining can be click-intensive; consider watching a movie or using minimal attention methods.

 

Mining Iron is a popular method for both experience and profit.

 

Levels 41-60: Mining Coal

At level 41 Mining, you can mine Coal.

 

Coal is a secondary ingredient required to smelt higher-level bars.

 

Coal rocks are found in the Mining Guild (level 60 Mining required), Dwarven Mine, and the Motherlode Mine.

 

Mining Coal in conjunction with Iron or other ores is a good way to level efficiently.

 

You can also choose to mine in the Motherlode Mine after level 30, which provides a more AFK-friendly way to train Mining.

 

Levels 60-70: Mining Mithril Ore

Mithril ore requires level 30 Mining to mine.

 

Popular Mithril mining locations include:

 

Mining Guild (best mining area with coal and mithril close together)

 

Al Kharid Mine

 

Dwarven Mine

 

From 60 to 70, focus on mining Mithril to gain better experience and prepare for the next tier.

 

Levels 70-85: Mining Adamantite Ore

Adamantite ore requires level 70 Mining.

 

You can find Adamantite in places like:

 

Mining Guild

 

Shilo Village Mine (accessible after the quest Shilo Village)

 

The Wilderness (risky but rewarding)

 

Mining Adamantite provides good XP and decent profit.

 

Levels 85-99: Mining Runite Ore

Runite ore requires level 85 Mining.

 

The best Runite mining spots include:

 

Mining Guild Runite rocks

 

Wilderness Resource Area (dangerous PvP area)

 

Mining Runite ore is slow but very profitable.

 

You can also combine mining with other activities like the Blast Mine minigame for faster XP gains.

 

Alternative Training Method: The Motherlode Mine

The Motherlode Mine is a unique, semi-AFK method for Mining training introduced in the OSRS Mining and Smithing rework. It is located in the Dwarven Mine and is accessible after level 30 Mining.

 

Why Use Motherlode Mine?

Less click-intensive than traditional mining.

 

Provides steady Mining XP and rewards.

 

Offers mining gloves and other rewards.

 

Can earn you pay-dirt, which can be exchanged for ores, gems, and golden nuggets.

 

How to Train Here

Mine pay-dirt from veins.

 

Deposit pay-dirt in the hopper.

 

Pay-dirt is processed into ores.

 

Collect your ores and repeat.

 

Use golden nuggets to purchase better pickaxes and mining gear.

 

Motherlode Mine is excellent for players who want a more relaxed method of training while still making some profit.

 

Tips for Efficient Mining

Upgrade Your Pickaxe: Always use the best pickaxe available. The speed difference between bronze and rune or dragon pickaxes is significant.

 

Use Mining Gloves: These provide a chance to double the ores you mine, increasing both profit and experience.

 

Prospector Outfit: Wearing this full outfit (obtained from the Motherlode Mine rewards) grants a 2.5% Mining XP boost.

 

Power-mining: Mine and drop ores instantly to maximize XP/hour but this sacrifices profit.

 

Banking Spots: Choose mining locations near banks or use quick teleports for efficient banking.

 

Quests: Complete quests like "The Knight's Sword," "Dwarf Cannon," and "The Giant Dwarf" for Mining XP boosts.

 

Clan or Friends: Join a clan or mining community to learn about hidden spots and boost motivation.

 

Money Making with Mining

Mining is not just for experience but can also be a steady source of income to buy RS gold:

 

Runite Ore: High-level, very profitable but slow.

 

Amethyst Mining: Found in Shilo Village; mining amethyst is fast XP and profitable.

 

Gem Mining: Mining gems from gem rocks can be lucrative.

 

Blast Mine: A high-level minigame that can yield profit and decent experience.

 

Final Thoughts

Mining is a skill that rewards patience and planning. Whether you're aiming to be a master miner with 99 Mining or just want to gather resources for crafting and smithing, this guide should provide a clear roadmap.

 

Remember to balance between XP rates and profitability depending on your goals. AFK methods like Motherlode Mine or power-mining iron can help you level quickly, while slower but more lucrative mining of Runite or Amethyst offers better money.