Closest Mine to Bank in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Efficient Mining
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players know that mining is a core skill that can be both profitable and essential for leveling up. However, efficiency is key, especially when it comes to banking your ores. Finding the closest mine to a bank can save you time, boost your XP rates, and maximize your profits. In this guide, we’ll explore the best mining locations in OSRS with the nearest banks, covering both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) options. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned miner, this blog post will help you optimize your mining runs as of April 09, 2025.
When mining in OSRS, the time spent running between the mine and the bank can significantly impact your efficiency. A closer bank means less travel time, allowing you to deposit ores faster and return to mining. This is especially crucial for players who aren’t power-mining (dropping ores instead of banking) and want to keep their haul for smithing, crafting, or selling on the Grand Exchange. Let’s dive into the top locations where the mine-to-bank distance is minimal.
Factors That Affect Mining Efficiency
Several factors determine how efficient a mining spot is beyond just distance:
- Ore Respawn Rates: Faster respawns mean less waiting.
- Teleport Options: Jewelry or capes with teleports can cut travel time.
- Bank Access: Deposit boxes vs. full banks can make a difference.
- Requirements: Some spots need specific levels or quests.
Top F2P Mines Closest to Banks
For free-to-play players, options are limited, but there are still excellent mines near banks that can make your mining grind smoother. Here are the best F2P locations:
Al Kharid Mine
The Al Kharid Mine is a standout for F2P players due to its proximity to the Duel Arena bank chest. Located just north of Al Kharid, this mine offers a variety of ores, including iron, coal, and gold. The bank chest at the Duel Arena is a short run southwest, making it ideal for quick deposits.
- Ores Available: Copper, Tin, Iron, Silver, Coal, Gold, Mithril, Adamantite
- Distance to Bank: Approximately 30-40 tiles
- Requirements: None
- Notes: Watch out for level 14 scorpions if you’re low combat.
Mining Guild (F2P Section)
The Mining Guild in Falador is partially accessible to F2P players at level 60 Mining. The F2P section has iron and coal rocks, with the Falador East Bank just outside the entrance. This spot is perfect for banking ores quickly, especially with the guild’s faster respawn rates.
- Ores Available: Iron, Coal
- Distance to Bank: Around 20-25 tiles
- Requirements: 60 Mining
- Notes: Three iron rocks in a triangle make it great for power-mining too.
East Varrock Mine
Southeast of Varrock, the East Varrock Mine is a simple spot for beginners. It’s close to the Varrock East Bank, offering copper, tin, and iron ores. While not as ore-rich as Al Kharid, its proximity makes it a solid choice for early-game mining.
- Ores Available: Copper, Tin, Iron
- Distance to Bank: About 25-30 tiles
- Requirements: None
- Notes: Good for low-level players banking ores.
Best P2P Mines Closest to Banks
Pay-to-play players have access to a wider range of mines with even shorter bank runs, thanks to teleports and deposit boxes. Here are the top P2P options:
Mining Guild (P2P Section)
The full Mining Guild, accessible at 60 Mining, is a P2P miner’s dream. Located under Falador, it has a bank chest right inside the guild, meaning you’re just steps away from depositing your ores. With iron, coal, mithril, adamantite, and runite rocks, it’s a versatile spot.
- Ores Available: Iron, Coal, Mithril, Adamantite, Runite
- Distance to Bank: 5-10 tiles (bank chest inside)
- Requirements: 60 Mining
- Notes: Reduced respawn times (e.g., iron respawns in 2.4 seconds).
Shilo Village Gem Mine
For gem enthusiasts, the Shilo Village Gem Mine in Karamja is unbeatable after completing the Hard Karamja Diary. The underground section has a bank deposit box right next to numerous gem rocks, making it one of the closest mine-to-bank setups in OSRS.
- Ores Available: Gems (Opal, Jade, Red Topaz, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Diamond)
- Distance to Bank: 5-10 tiles (deposit box)
- Requirements: 40 Mining, Hard Karamja Diary, Karamja Gloves 3
- Notes: Great for profit and crafting XP.
Ardougne Monastery Mine
South of Ardougne, the Monastery Mine is a hidden gem for iron and coal miners. With the Ardougne Cloak 1 (from Easy Ardougne Diary) offering unlimited teleports to the monastery, you can mine and bank at the Ardougne South Bank in no time.
- Ores Available: Iron, Coal
- Distance to Bank: 40-50 tiles (or instant with teleport)
- Requirements: Easy Ardougne Diary for cloak
- Notes: Six iron rocks make it efficient for banking runs.
Comparing Mine-to-Bank Distances
To help you choose the best spot, here’s a table comparing the top mines based on distance to the nearest bank or deposit box:
| Mine | F2P/P2P | Ores | Distance to Bank (Tiles) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Guild (P2P) | P2P | Iron, Coal, Mithril, Adamantite, Runite | 5-10 | 60 Mining |
| Shilo Village Gem Mine | P2P | Gems | 5-10 | 40 Mining, Hard Karamja Diary |
| Mining Guild (F2P) | F2P | Iron, Coal | 20-25 | 60 Mining |
| Al Kharid Mine | F2P | Copper, Tin, Iron, Silver, Coal, Gold, Mithril, Adamantite | 30-40 | None |
| Ardougne Monastery Mine | P2P | Iron, Coal | 40-50 (or instant with teleport) | Easy Ardougne Diary |
How to Use This Table
Pick a mine based on your membership status, mining level, and what ores you need. For F2P, Al Kharid is the most accessible, while P2P players can’t go wrong with the Mining Guild or Shilo Village.
Tips to Optimize Your Mine-to-Bank Runs
Beyond choosing the right location, here are some practical tips to make your mining sessions even more efficient:
Use Teleportation Items
Items like the Ring of Dueling, Amulet of Glory, or Ardougne Cloak can slash travel time. For example, pairing an Ardougne Cloak with a Ring of Dueling at the Monastery Mine lets you teleport to the mine and bank at Castle Wars instantly.
Upgrade Your Pickaxe
A higher-tier pickaxe (e.g., Rune at 41 Mining, Dragon at 61) speeds up ore extraction, letting you fill your inventory faster and bank more often. The faster you mine, the more you benefit from a nearby bank.
Consider Deposit Boxes
Deposit boxes, like the one in Shilo Village, are often closer than full banks and let you offload ores quickly. They don’t allow withdrawals, so plan your inventory accordingly.
Wear Weight-Reducing Gear
Items like the Graceful outfit or Boots of Lightness reduce your weight, making you run longer without losing energy. This is a game-changer for longer bank runs like at Al Kharid or Ardougne.
Final Thoughts on the Closest Mine to Bank in OSRS
Finding the closest mine to a bank in OSRS depends on your goals, membership status, and mining level. For F2P players, the Al Kharid Mine and Mining Guild (at 60 Mining) are top picks for their balance of accessibility and ore variety. P2P players should prioritize the Mining Guild’s internal bank chest or Shilo Village’s gem mine with its deposit box for unbeatable efficiency. Pair these locations with smart teleportation and gear choices, and you’ll be banking ores like a pro in no time.
Which mine-to-bank setup works best for you? Let us know your favorite spots or strategies in the comments below, and happy mining in Gielinor!