OSRS Mining Guide 1-99 Fastest and Most Efficient Methods

Mining in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a core skill that unlocks valuable ores, gems, and resources for crafting, smithing, and profit. While historically slow and tedious, recent updates like Shooting Stars, Motherlode Mine improvements, and tick manipulation have made training Mining faster and more engaging. This comprehensive OSRS Mining guide covers the fastest, AFK, and profitable methods to reach level 99, tailored for free-to-play (F2P), pay-to-play (P2P), and Ironman players. Whether you’re aiming for efficiency or a relaxed grind, we’ve got you covered.

Mining is essential for gathering resources needed in raids like Chambers of Xeric and Tombs of Amascut, where high Mining levels (85+) boost performance. It’s also a profitable skill, with methods like Runite and Amethyst mining yielding significant gold per hour. Additionally, Mining is required for key quests and offers a sense of accomplishment with the prestigious Mining Cape at level 99.

Benefits of High Mining Levels

• Raiding Efficiency: Level 85+ Mining improves damage in Tombs of Amascut and guardians in Chambers of Xeric.
• Quest Requirements: Essential for quests like The Dig Site and Doric’s Quest.
• Profit Potential: High-level ores like Runite and Amethyst can net up to 650k GP/hour.

Essential Mining Gear and Boosts

Using the right equipment and boosts can significantly speed up your Mining journey. Here’s what you need to know about pickaxes, outfits, and other enhancers.

Pickaxe Progression

Always use the best pickaxe available for your level to reduce mining time and increase XP rates:

Pickaxe	Mining Level Required	Attack Level Required	Notes
Bronze	1	1	Starting pickaxe, very slow.
Iron	1	1	Slightly better, affordable.
Steel	6	5	Good for early levels.
Mithril	21	20	Decent mid-level option.
Adamant	31	30	Strong mid-level pickaxe.
Rune	41	40	Best for F2P and pre-61 P2P.
Dragon	61	60	P2P, special attack gives +3 Mining boost.
Crystal	71	70	P2P, fastest pickaxe, requires Song of the Elves.

XP-Boosting Items

• Prospector Kit: Obtained from Motherlode Mine (180 Golden Nuggets), provides a 2.5% XP boost. Worth getting for AFK methods or Falador Diary tasks.
• Celestial Ring: Costs 2,000 stardust from Shooting Stars, gives an invisible +4 Mining boost and 10% chance for extra ore (up to Adamantite).
• Varrock Armour: From Varrock Diary, offers a 10% chance to mine double ores, stacking with Celestial Ring for up to 20% XP boost.
• Mining Gloves: Purchased in the Mining Guild, prevent ore depletion (especially useful for Amethyst mining).

Fastest Pathway to 99 Mining

For players prioritizing speed, tick manipulation methods like 3-tick Granite mining offer the highest XP rates, though they’re click-intensive. Without tick manipulation, alternatives like Volcanic Mine or Blast Mine are still efficient. Here’s the optimal path:

Levels 1-15: Copper and Tin

Start by mining Copper or Tin at Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock South-East Mine. Complete Doric’s Quest for an instant jump to level 10 (1,300 XP). Each ore gives 17.5 XP, and you’ll need about 64 ores to reach level 15. Power mine (drop ores) for faster XP.

Levels 15-45: Iron Ore

Mine Iron Ore at Al Kharid Mine or the Mining Guild (requires 60 Mining for entry, but boosts work). Iron yields 35 XP per ore, and the best spots have three rocks in a triangle for continuous mining. Expect 30k-50k XP/hour. Power mining is key for speed.

Levels 45-99: 3-Tick Granite

At the Bandit Camp Quarry in the desert, 3-tick Granite mining is the fastest method, offering 85k XP/hour at level 45 and up to 125k XP/hour at level 99. This requires tick manipulation (using items like swamp paste or herbs to reset the mining cycle every 3 ticks) and constant movement between four Granite rocks. It’s highly click-intensive but cuts the time to 99 to around 130 hours. Wear lightweight gear like the Graceful outfit to maintain energy.

Alternative Fast Methods

• Volcanic Mine (Level 50+): On Fossil Island, requires Bone Voyage quest and 150 Kudos. Offers 65k-90k XP/hour with a Crystal Pickaxe at level 99. Needs teamwork (3-5 players) but is less click-intensive. World 323 is the official world.
• Blast Mine (Level 75+): Requires 100% Lovakengj favor. Yields 55k-80k XP/hour and up to 800k GP/hour at level 99. Allows mining Runite at level 75 due to a +10 level boost.

AFK and Low-Effort Methods

If you prefer a relaxed grind, AFK methods like Motherlode Mine and Shooting Stars are ideal. These are slower but require minimal attention, perfect for multitasking.

Levels 30-99: Motherlode Mine

Located in the Dwarven Mine, Motherlode Mine is accessible at level 30 but recommended from level 55 for efficiency. Clean pay-dirt for 30k-53k XP/hour at level 99 and collect Golden Nuggets for the Prospector Kit. Unlock the upper level at 72 Mining (100 Nuggets) for better veins. Completing the Falador Medium Diary grants a shortcut (54 Agility). This method is profitable (15k-300k GP/hour) and ideal for Ironmen needing ores.

Levels 10-99: Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars spawn across Gielinor and can be mined from level 10 (if the star is degraded to a low tier). They offer 40k-50k XP/hour at level 99 and stardust for the Celestial Ring. This is extremely low-effort, with minimal clicking, and includes some Crafting XP from exchanging stardust for soft clay packs. Check star locations via in-game telescopes or community discords.

Levels 70-99: Calcified Rocks

After starting Perilous Moons, mine calcified rocks in Cam Torum Mine for 50k XP/hour (up to 94k with tick manipulation) at level 99. You’ll also earn blessed bone shards, useful for Prayer training. This method is low-effort and stackable rewards make it Ironman-friendly.

Profitable Mining Methods

For players looking to make gold while training, these methods balance XP and profit, ideal for funding other skills or bonds.

Levels 40-99: Gem Rocks

After completing the Hard Karamja Diary, mine Gem Rocks in Shilo Village’s underground mine (use Karamja Gloves 3 for teleport). Offers 40k-50k XP/hour and up to 400k GP/hour, depending on gem prices. A charged Amulet of Glory and Gem Bag (300 uncut gem storage) reduce banking time. This is a great option for consistent profit and Crafting XP.

Levels 85-99: Runite Ore

Mine Runite in the Wilderness Resource Area (10k entry fee) or Mining Guild. Requires 85 Mining and yields 125 XP per ore but is highly profitable (up to 650k GP/hour). Use a Looting Bag to extend trips. F2P players face PKer risks in the Wilderness, so P2P is recommended. Expect low XP rates (6k/hour) due to slow respawns.

Levels 92-99: Amethyst Crystals

In the Mining Guild, Amethyst mining requires 92 Mining and offers 20k-25k XP/hour and 330k GP/hour. Bring a chisel to craft dart tips for extra Crafting and Fletching XP (up to 1.6M each). Expert Mining Gloves prevent depletion, extending mining time. This is a semi-AFK, high-profit method.

Levels 75-99: Blast Mine

As mentioned, Blast Mine provides 55k-80k XP/hour and 300k-800k GP/hour at level 99. It’s less click-intensive than Granite and offers Runite at level 75, making it a strong choice for balancing XP and profit.

Reaching level 99 Mining in OSRS is a rewarding journey, whether you chase the fastest XP with 3-tick Granite, relax with Motherlode Mine, or stack gold with Amethyst and Runite. Use quests like Doric’s Quest and The Dig Site to skip early levels, equip the best pickaxe and boosts, and choose a method that fits your playstyle. With dedication, you’ll earn the Mining Cape and unlock the full potential of this versatile skill. Happy mining!

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