Best Mining Training OSRS Comprehensive Guide for 2025

Mining in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a cornerstone skill for gathering ores, gems, and resources vital for Smithing, Crafting, and making gold. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 or just starting out, this guide covers the best training methods for free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players, including fast XP, AFK options, and profitable strategies. Let’s dig into the most efficient ways to train Mining in 2025.

Mining is one of the “Big Three” skills (alongside Fishing and Woodcutting) with no prerequisites, making it accessible for new players. It’s essential for raids like Chambers of Xeric and Tombs of Amascut, where high Mining levels (85+) boost performance. Additionally, Mining can be profitable, especially at higher levels with Runite or Amethyst. Training efficiently saves time and maximizes rewards, whether you’re after the Mining cape or in-game wealth.

Key Benefits of High Mining Levels

• Raid Efficiency: Level 85+ Mining enhances damage in Tombs of Amascut and guardians in Chambers of Xeric.
• Profit Potential: Runite (level 85) and Amethyst (level 92) offer significant gold per hour.
• Quest Requirements: Quests like Song of the Elves (for Crystal Pickaxe) require high Mining.
• Skill Synergy: Ores and gems support Smithing and Crafting, ideal for Ironman accounts.

Essential Mining Gear and Setup

Using the right equipment is critical for maximizing XP and efficiency. The pickaxe is your primary tool, and upgrading it as your level allows is non-negotiable. Additional gear like the Prospector Kit and Varrock Armour further boosts XP and ore yields.

Pickaxe Progression

Pickaxe	Mining Level	Attack Level	Notes
Bronze/Iron	1	1	Starting pickaxes, very slow.
Steel	6	5	Early upgrade for F2P.
Mithril	21	20	Decent for mid-levels.
Adamant	31	30	Good balance of speed and cost.
Rune	41	40	Best for F2P, significantly faster.
Dragon	61	60	P2P, 5.88% faster than Rune.
Crystal	71	70	Fastest, requires Song of the Elves.
Infernal	61	60	Dragon equivalent, combusts 1/3 ores for Smithing XP, needs 85 Smithing.

Recommended Gear

• Prospector Kit: Obtained from Motherlode Mine (180 Golden Nuggets), grants 2.5% XP boost. Essential for hard Falador Diary.
• Varrock Armour (1-4): 10% chance to mine double ores (up to Runite with Armour 4). Doesn’t work in Motherlode or Volcanic Mine.
• Mining Gloves: Regular, Superior, or Expert (Mining Guild, 60-180 Unidentified Minerals). Prevents rock depletion for certain ores.
• Celestial Ring: +4 invisible Mining boost, bought with 2,000 stardust from Shooting Stars.

Fastest Mining Training Methods (Level 1-99)

For players prioritizing speed, powermining and tick manipulation offer the highest XP rates. These methods are click-intensive but get you to 99 fastest. Below is a level-by-level roadmap.

Level 1-15: Copper and Tin

Start by powermining Copper or Tin rocks (17.5 XP each) at the East Lumbridge Swamp Mine, which is safe and less crowded. Drop ores to maximize XP. Completing Doric’s Quest (1,300 XP) instantly boosts you to level 10, skipping early grinding. Expect 5,000-10,000 XP/hr without tick manipulation.

Level 15-45: Iron Ore Powermining

Mine Iron rocks (35 XP each) at a location with three rocks in a triangle, like Al Kharid Mine (F2P, watch for scorpions) or Legends’ Guild Mine (P2P). Use a Rune Pickaxe at level 41 for up to 50,000 XP/hr. Enable shift-click dropping for efficiency. For P2P, Varrock Armour 1 doubles some ores, boosting XP slightly.

Level 45-99: 3-Tick Granite

From level 45, 3-tick mining Granite at the Bandit Camp Quarry (Western Desert) is the fastest XP method, yielding up to 100,000 XP/hr with tick manipulation. This requires precise clicks and a secondary action (e.g., herb cleaning) to reset the mining tick cycle. It’s highly intensive but unmatched for speed. Varrock Armour 2 doubles Granite for extra XP.

Quest Boosts for Early Levels

P2P players should complete quests to skip early levels:

• Doric’s Quest: 1,300 XP (level 1 → 10).
• Plague City: 2,425 XP (to level 18).
• The Digsite: 15,300 XP (to level 33, requires 10 Agility, 10 Herblore, 25 Thieving).
• Another Slice of H.A.M.: 3,000 XP.

These quests allow you to use an Adamant Pickaxe early and skip Copper/Tin grinding.

AFK and Low-Effort Training Methods

For players who prefer relaxed training, AFK methods sacrifice XP for ease. These are ideal for multitasking or casual play.

Level 30-99: Motherlode Mine

Motherlode Mine (level 30+) is a popular AFK method. Mine ore veins, deposit pay-dirt, and collect cleaned ores. At level 72 with 100 Golden Nuggets, unlock the upper level for better veins and more AFK time (veins last 36-40 seconds). XP rates are:

• Level 70: 30,000 XP/hr
• Level 85: 42,000 XP/hr
• Level 99: 53,000 XP/hr

Golden Nuggets fund the Prospector Kit, and ores provide decent profit. Complete the medium Falador Diary (54 Agility) for a shortcut.

Level 60-99: Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars (tier 6+ at level 60, accessible from level 10 if mined down) are extremely AFK, requiring clicks every 7 minutes as the star degrades. XP rates are low (8,000-13,000 XP/hr at level 70), but you can mine for 42-63 minutes per star. Join a group like the Star Miners Discord to locate stars. Stardust can be exchanged for the Celestial Ring. Avoid Wilderness stars for safety.

Level 61-99: Ruins of Camdozaal (F2P)

After completing Below Ice Mountain, mine Barronite shards (16 XP) or deposits (32 XP) in the Ruins of Camdozaal. This yields 18,000-20,000 XP/hr at level 75 with buffs (Charm of Mining/Buff from Ramarno). It’s more AFK than Iron powermining but slower, making it a good F2P alternative.

Profitable Mining Methods

If gold is your goal, these methods balance XP and profit, especially at higher levels.

Level 40-99: Gem Rocks

After completing the hard Karamja Diary, mine Gem Rocks in Shilo Village’s underground mine (65 XP each). Expect 93,342 gems from level 65-92, yielding 2.6M Crafting XP if cut. Profit is decent, and XP rates reach 30,000-40,000 XP/hr. Use a Gem Bag (300 gem capacity) to reduce banking.

Level 85-99: Runite Ore

Runite (125 XP each) is the most profitable F2P method but slow for XP due to 12-minute respawns. World-hop at locations like Fossil Island or Central Fremennik Isles. Use Varrock Armour 4 and Superior Mining Gloves to maximize profit. Expect 330,000 GP/hr but only 5,000-10,000 XP/hr. Best for money, not leveling.

Level 92-99: Amethyst

Amethyst mining (level 92) in the Mining Guild offers 20,000-25,000 XP/hr and 330,000 GP/hr. Mine 80-100 Amethyst per hour with Expert Mining Gloves to prevent rock depletion. This is a great P2P option for profit and moderate XP.

Level 70-99: Blast Mine

Blast Mine (level 70, post-rework) is fast and profitable, offering up to 60,000 XP/hr and high GP/hr in small teams. Use a Discord group to find teammates, as solo is less efficient. Requires high attention but rewards with both XP and profit.

Tips for Efficient Mining Training

Maximize your Mining journey with these strategies:

• Tick Manipulation: Use 3-tick or 1.5-tick methods (e.g., with Granite or Iron) for up to 100,000 XP/hr. Requires practice and focus.
• Diary Boosts: Complete Varrock, Falador, and Karamja Diaries for XP and profit boosts.
• Shift-Click Dropping: Enable in settings to drop ores instantly while powermining.
• Join Communities: Use Discord or Reddit (e.g., r/runescape) for Shooting Star locations or Blast Mine teams.
• Upgrade Pickaxes: Always use the best pickaxe available to reduce mining ticks.

Training Mining in OSRS can be tedious, but with the right methods, it’s rewarding and profitable. For fast XP, stick to 3-tick Granite; for AFK, choose Motherlode Mine or Shooting Stars; and for profit, mine Amethyst or Runite. Combine quests, gear, and community resources to hit level 99 efficiently. Happy mining!