Ultimate OSRS Mining Guide for 2024

Mining is one of the most essential skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering players a way to gather resources, earn money, and progress in the game. Whether you're aiming to make a fortune, gather materials for Smithing, or achieve that coveted 99 Mining cape, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to become a master miner in OSRS.

Getting Started with Mining

1. Understanding the Basics Mining involves extracting ores, gems, and other resources from rocks scattered across Gielinor. The type of ore or gem you can mine depends on your Mining level. To mine, you’ll need a pickaxe, and the better the pickaxe, the faster you can extract resources. It’s crucial to know that the experience gained per ore mined varies depending on the type of ore, with higher-level ores granting more experience.

2. Pickaxes and Their Uses Pickaxes are your primary tool in Mining. They vary in terms of mining speed and the level required to wield them. Here is a quick rundown of the pickaxes available:

3. Mining Locations OSRS offers numerous mining locations scattered across the map. Each location has its unique set of ores and challenges. Here are some of the most popular mining spots:

• Lumbridge Swamp Training Mine: Ideal for beginners, this location offers easy access to Copper and Tin ores.
• Varrock South-East Mine: A great place for low-level miners, with Iron ores readily available.
• Al Kharid Mine: Accessible early in the game, offering both Iron and Coal ores.
• Motherlode Mine: Located in the Dwarven Mine, this spot is perfect for players looking to mine in bulk while gaining consistent experience.
• Mining Guild: Accessible at level 60 Mining, it offers Coal and Mithril rocks, with a higher chance of mining gems.

4. Best Methods for Training Mining There are several methods to train Mining efficiently, depending on your goals—whether it's experience, profit, or both.

• Power Mining: This method involves mining ores that are quickly depleted and offer fast experience, such as Iron ores. It’s common to drop the ores right after mining them to maximize experience rates.
• Motherlode Mine: For those who prefer a more relaxed approach, the Motherlode Mine is excellent. It offers a consistent experience and the ability to earn ores, pay-dirt, and golden nuggets used to buy useful items.
• Gem Rocks: Once you reach level 40 Mining, you can mine gem rocks in Shilo Village or the Al Kharid Mine. This method can be profitable as gems are valuable in the Grand Exchange.
• Blast Mine: At level 75 Mining, you can access the Blast Mine in the Lovakengj House on Zeah. This method provides higher experience rates and valuable ores but requires more attention and supplies.

5. Achieving Level 99 Mining Reaching level 99 Mining is no small feat and requires dedication. Here's a suggested path to 99 Mining:

• Levels 1-15: Mine Copper and Tin ores in Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock.
• Levels 15-30: Mine Iron ores in the Varrock South-East Mine or Al Kharid Mine.
• Levels 30-60: Continue mining Iron ores, or switch to Coal at level 30.
• Levels 60-99: Depending on your preference, you can mine in the Mining Guild, Motherlode Mine, or power mine Iron ores. For those seeking profit, Gem Rocks and Blast Mine are good alternatives.

6. Important Quests for Mining Several quests in OSRS provide Mining experience as rewards, which can be particularly useful for boosting your Mining level early on:

• The Knight’s Sword: Grants 12,725 Mining experience, boosting you from level 1 to level 29.
• Plague City: Offers 2,425 Mining experience, useful for reaching early levels quickly.
• Lost Tribe: Rewards 3,000 Mining experience and unlocks the Bone Crossbow.
• Between a Rock...: Grants 5,000 Mining experience and access to the Arzinian Mine, where you can mine Gold.

7. Mining Equipment and Gear As you advance in Mining, consider upgrading your gear to enhance your efficiency:

• Prospector Kit: Available in the Motherlode Mine for 180 Nuggets, it provides a 2.5% experience boost.
• Varrock Armour: Completing the Varrock Diary grants this armor, which increases your chance of mining two ores simultaneously.
• Mining Gloves: These gloves, obtained from the Mining Guild, increase the chance of ores not depleting.

8. Mining for Money Mining can be an excellent way to earn money in OSRS. Here are some profitable ores to focus on:

• Runite Ore: Requires level 85 Mining and can be sold for a high price at the Grand Exchange.
• Adamantite Ore: Available at level 70 Mining, it’s less competitive than Runite but still valuable.
• Gold Ore: Requires level 40 Mining and can be mined in the Arzinian Mine for profit.

9. Useful Tips and Tricks

• World Hopping: If you find a mining spot crowded, consider switching worlds to find a less populated one.
• Mining Bots: Be aware of bots in popular mining spots. These automated accounts can reduce the availability of ores.
• Banking Efficiency: Use teleportation methods like Glory Amulets or the Ardougne Cloak to make banking ores faster.

Conclusion

Mining in OSRS is a rewarding skill that offers both experience and profit opportunities. Whether you're mining for resources to use in Smithing or selling ores for a profit, this guide provides you with the strategies and knowledge needed to excel. By following these tips and methods, you'll be well on your way to achieving level 99 Mining and beyond. Happy mining!