OSRS Mining F2P Guide: Level 1-99 for Free-to-Play Players

OSRS Mining F2P Guide: Level 1-99 for Free-to-Play Players


Mining in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most accessible and rewarding skills for free-to-play (F2P) players. Whether you’re looking to gather resources, make some gold pieces (GP), or simply enjoy the grind, this OSRS Mining F2P guide will walk you through the best methods to reach level 99. With no membership required, you can still achieve mastery in Mining using the tools and locations available in F2P worlds. Let’s dig into the details and get you swinging that pickaxe efficiently!

Mining isn’t just about clicking rocks—it’s a gateway to resources, profit, and progression in OSRS. For F2P players, it’s one of the few skills that can be trained to 99 without needing a membership, making it a popular choice for newbies and veterans alike. Here’s why you should consider it:

  • Resource Gathering: Ores like iron and coal are essential for Smithing, another key F2P skill.
  • Profit Potential: High-level ores like runite can fetch a decent price on the Grand Exchange.
  • Simplicity: All you need is a pickaxe—no fancy gear or membership perks required.
  • Achievement: Hitting 99 Mining in F2P is a badge of honor in the community.

This guide focuses on the fastest, most efficient ways to level up while keeping F2P limitations in mind. Let’s start with the basics.

Essential Mining Gear for F2P Players

OSRS Mining Training Free to Play F2P

In F2P, your Mining success hinges on one tool: the pickaxe. Higher-tier pickaxes reduce the time between mining cycles, speeding up your XP gains. Here’s what you need to know about pickaxe progression:

Pickaxe Tiers and Requirements

Pickaxe Mining Level Attack Level (to Wield) Notes
Bronze 1 1 Starting pickaxe, available from Tutorial Island.
Iron 1 1 Slightly faster than bronze.
Steel 6 5 Noticeable speed increase.
Mithril 21 20 Good mid-tier option.
Adamant 31 30 Great for higher levels.
Rune 41 40 Best F2P pickaxe—maximizes XP rates.

Tips for Acquiring Pickaxes

You don’t need to mine with a pickaxe in your inventory—wielding it saves a slot and keeps you efficient. Buy pickaxes from the Grand Exchange or shops like Nurmof’s Pickaxe Shop in the Dwarven Mine. Always upgrade to the highest tier you can use as soon as you hit the required Mining level.

Fastest F2P Mining Training Methods

To hit 99 Mining in F2P, speed is key. The best approach is “powermining”—dropping ores instead of banking them to maximize XP per hour. Here’s a level-by-level breakdown of the fastest methods.

Levels 1-15: Copper and Tin

Start your Mining journey with copper or tin rocks, both offering 17.5 XP per ore. These are perfect for early levels due to their low requirements and quick respawn times.

  • Location: South-east Lumbridge Swamp Mine or Varrock South-east Mine
  • Method: Mine and drop ores to avoid banking.
  • XP/Hour: ~15,000-20,000
  • Tip: Complete Doric’s Quest first for 1,300 XP, jumping you to level 10 instantly.

Levels 15-60: Iron Powermining

At level 15, switch to iron rocks for 35 XP per ore. This is the backbone of F2P Mining training due to its availability and decent XP rates.

  • Location: Al Kharid Mine (three iron rocks in a triangle)
  • Method: Powermine by dropping ores—stand in a spot where you can hit three rocks without moving.
  • XP/Hour: ~40,000-50,000 (peaks at 52,500 with a rune pickaxe at 61+ Mining)
  • Caution: Watch out for level 14 scorpions if you’re low combat.

Alternative spots include the East Lumbridge Swamp Mine or Dwarven Mine, but Al Kharid’s layout is unmatched for efficiency.

Levels 60-99: Mining Guild Iron

Unlock the Mining Guild at level 60 for a game-changer. Located beneath Falador, it offers faster rock respawns and an invisible +7 Mining boost while inside.

  • Location: Mining Guild (F2P section)
  • Method: Powermine iron rocks in the guild’s triangle formation.
  • XP/Hour: ~50,000-60,000
  • Perk: Iron rocks respawn in 2.7 seconds here (half the usual 5.4 seconds).

This is the fastest F2P method to 99. Stick with it unless you’re chasing profit (see below).

Profitable F2P Mining Methods

If powermining isn’t your style and you’d rather make some GP, focus on higher-tier ores. These methods are slower for XP but can fund your F2P adventures.

Levels 15-40: Iron Banking

Instead of dropping iron, bank it for a small profit while still gaining decent XP.

  • Location: East Lumbridge Swamp Mine (bank at Draynor Village)
  • Method: Mine iron, bank, repeat.
  • XP/Hour: ~20,000-30,000
  • GP/Hour: ~20,000-30,000

Levels 40-70: Coal

Coal rocks unlock at 30 Mining but become practical at 40 with a better pickaxe. They offer 50 XP per ore and sell well.

  • Location: Mining Guild or Lumbridge Swamp West Mine
  • Method: Mine and bank at the Falador East Bank or Draynor.
  • XP/Hour: ~15,000-20,000
  • GP/Hour: ~40,000-60,000

Levels 70-99: Runite

Runite is the holy grail of F2P Mining—125 XP per ore and big profits, but it’s slow and risky.

  • Location: Wilderness (north of Lava Maze, level 46)
  • Method: Mine runite rocks, hop worlds due to 12-minute respawns.
  • XP/Hour: ~5,000-10,000
  • GP/Hour: ~200,000-300,000
  • Risk: PKers in the Wilderness—bring minimal gear and bank often.

Only two runite rocks spawn here, so world-hopping is essential. It’s not ideal for XP, but the GP makes it tempting.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient F2P Mining

To make your Mining grind smoother, here are some pro tips tailored for F2P players:

Optimize Your Setup

  • Shift-Drop: Enable shift-click dropping in settings for faster ore disposal.
  • Wield Pickaxes: Save inventory space and avoid banking interruptions.
  • Low Combat Prep: If scorpions or PKers are a threat, train combat to 20-30 first.

Boost Early Levels

Doric’s Quest is a must-do—it’s quick, requires minimal items (6 clay, 4 copper, 2 iron), and gives you a free 1,300 XP. You can buy the materials from the Grand Exchange or mine them yourself.

AFK Option: Crashed Stars

For a low-effort alternative, try mining crashed stars (Shooting Stars D&D). They offer ~8,000-13,000 XP/hour at level 70 and require minimal clicking—just seven minutes between actions. Join a group like “Star Miners” Discord to find them in F2P worlds.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

  • Crowded Spots: Avoid Varrock South-east Mine if it’s packed—try less popular worlds.
  • Over-Banking: Unless you’re profiting, banking slows you down. Powermine instead.
  • Skipping Upgrades: Don’t stick with a steel pickaxe past level 41—get that rune pickaxe!

With these strategies, you’ll minimize downtime and maximize gains, whether you’re chasing XP or GP.

Final Thoughts on OSRS F2P Mining

Mining to 99 in F2P OSRS is a grind, but it’s achievable with dedication. Powermining iron at the Mining Guild is your fastest route, offering up to 60,000 XP/hour with a rune pickaxe. If profit’s your goal, runite in the Wilderness can net you hundreds of thousands of GP per hour—just watch your back. Start with copper and tin, transition to iron, and settle into the guild for the long haul. Whatever your path, this guide has you covered.

Ready to start? Grab your pickaxe, hit the mines, and enjoy the journey to 99 Mining in OSRS F2P. Happy mining!