Best Way to Level Up Mining in OSRS
Mining in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a core skill that opens doors to valuable resources, crafting opportunities, and even profit through the Grand Exchange. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, leveling up Mining efficiently requires a mix of strategy, patience, and the right techniques. This guide covers the best ways to level up Mining in OSRS, from beginner-friendly methods to high-level strategies, ensuring you maximize experience rates and minimize grind time.
Before diving into leveling strategies, let’s cover the essentials. Mining involves extracting ores from rocks scattered across Gielinor, requiring a pickaxe and sufficient Mining level to mine specific ores. Higher Mining levels unlock better ores, faster experience rates, and access to unique locations like the Mining Guild.
Key Equipment for Mining
Your pickaxe is your primary tool. The better the pickaxe, the faster you mine. Here’s a quick list of pickaxes by Mining level:
- Bronze Pickaxe: Level 1 (starter tool)
- Iron Pickaxe: Level 1
- Steel Pickaxe: Level 6
- Mithril Pickaxe: Level 21
- Adamant Pickaxe: Level 31
- Rune Pickaxe: Level 41 (best free-to-play option)
- Dragon Pickaxe: Level 61 (members only, fastest mining speed)
Pro Tip: Always use the highest-tier pickaxe you can wield to boost efficiency.
Mining Guild and Other Key Locations
The Mining Guild (level 60 Mining required) in Falador is a hotspot for iron, coal, and mithril ores, offering a +7 invisible Mining level boost. Other notable spots include the Lumbridge Swamp for early levels and the Motherlode Mine for AFK-friendly training.
Early Levels (1-30): Starting Your Mining Journey
For levels 1 to 30, focus on accessible ores and quests to skip the initial grind. Free-to-play (F2P) and members have solid options here.
Quests for Quick Experience
Quests offer a fast way to gain early Mining XP without repetitive grinding. Complete these for a head start:
- Doric’s Quest: 1,300 XP, no Mining level required (F2P).
- Plague City: 2,425 XP, requires level 13 Mining (members).
- The Dig Site: 15,300 XP, requires level 25 Mining (members).
These quests can push you close to level 30 without touching a pickaxe.
Training at Tin and Copper Rocks
For pure mining, start at the Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock South-West Mine. Tin and copper rocks grant 17.5 XP per ore and are ideal for levels 1-15. Drop ores to maximize XP per hour or bank them for Smithing later.
| Location | Ore Types | XP per Ore | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumbridge Swamp | Tin, Copper | 17.5 | Close to bank, F2P-friendly |
| Varrock South-West | Tin, Copper, Iron | 17.5 (Tin/Copper), 35 (Iron) | More rocks, slightly farther from bank |
Mid Levels (30-60): Scaling Up Efficiency
From levels 30 to 60, you’ll transition to higher-XP ores and more intensive methods. Iron ore and the Motherlode Mine are your best bets.
Power Mining Iron Ore
Iron ore (level 15 Mining) is the go-to for fast XP. The best method is power mining, where you drop ores instead of banking them. The Al Kharid Mine or Mining Guild (at level 60) are top spots, offering 35 XP per iron ore and up to 40,000 XP per hour.
Steps for Power Mining:
- Equip a rune pickaxe (or best available).
- Mine iron rocks until your inventory is full.
- Drop all ores to continue mining without banking.
- Repeat for maximum XP efficiency.
Tip: Use stamina potions (members) to maintain run energy for faster drops.
Motherlode Mine (Members)
Unlocked at level 30, the Motherlode Mine in Falador is an AFK-friendly alternative, offering 20,000-35,000 XP per hour. Mine pay-dirt, clean it at the waterwheel, and collect ores for XP and profit. It’s less click-intensive than power mining but slower.
High Levels (60-99): Mastering Mining
At level 60, you unlock the Mining Guild and better methods like gem rocks and Amethyst mining. The goal is balancing XP, profit, and engagement.
Mining Guild: Coal and Mithril
The Mining Guild’s coal (50 XP per ore) and mithril (80 XP per ore) rocks are great for XP and profit. With the guild’s +7 level boost, you can mine mithril at level 53 instead of 60. Expect 30,000-40,000 XP per hour while banking ores for Smithing or selling.
Gem Rocks for Variety
At level 40, gem rocks in the Shilo Village mine (members) offer 65 XP per gem and a chance at rare gems like diamonds. This method yields 20,000-30,000 XP per hour and is profitable, making it a nice break from ore grinding.
Amethyst Mining (Level 92+)
Amethyst mining in the Mining Guild (members) is the best high-level method, offering up to 20,000 XP per hour and high profit. Amethyst crystals (240 XP each) are slow to mine but stackable, reducing banking trips. Use a dragon pickaxe for optimal speed.
Tips and Tricks to Boost Mining Efficiency
Maximize your Mining grind with these strategies to save time and boost XP rates.
Use Mining Boosts
Items and buffs can enhance your Mining level or speed:
- Mining Cape: At level 99, provides a chance to mine extra ores.
- Varrock Armour: Increases chance of mining two ores at once (F2P-friendly).
- Prospector Kit: Earned from Motherlode Mine, grants a 2.5% XP boost when fully equipped.
Optimize Your Setup
Wear lightweight gear like the Graceful outfit (members) to maintain run energy. For F2P players, prioritize boots of lightness and the spottier cape to reduce weight.
Combine Mining with Other Skills
Bank ores for Smithing XP or sell them for profit to fund other skills. Coal and mithril from the Mining Guild are especially valuable for both.
AFK vs. Active Training
Choose your method based on playstyle:
- Active: Power mining iron or mithril for maximum XP.
- AFK: Motherlode Mine or Amethyst mining for relaxed grinding.
| Method | Level Required | XP per Hour | Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Mining Iron | 15 | 30,000-40,000 | Low (if dropping) |
| Motherlode Mine | 30 | 20,000-35,000 | Moderate |
| Gem Rocks | 40 | 20,000-30,000 | High |
| Amethyst Mining | 92 | 15,000-20,000 | High |
Leveling Mining in OSRS doesn’t have to be a slog. By combining quests, power mining, and high-level methods like Amethyst mining, you can hit level 99 efficiently while enjoying the journey. Whether you’re after XP, profit, or a relaxed grind, there’s a method for every player. Grab your pickaxe, head to the mines, and start leveling up today!