OSRS 99 Mining Guide Fastest and Most Efficient Methods

OSRS 99 Mining Guide Fastest and Most Efficient Methods

Mining in Old★School RuneScape (OSRS) is a core skill that unlocks valuable resources like ores and gems, essential for smithing, crafting, and making serious in-game profit. Reaching level 99 Mining is a grind, but with the right strategies, you can make it faster, more enjoyable, or even profitable. This comprehensive guide covers the fastest methods, AFK options, profitable routes, and tips for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players to hit that coveted 99 Mining skillcape.

Mining is a versatile skill with multiple benefits:

  • Profit Potential: High-level ores like Runite and Amethyst can net hundreds of thousands of GP per hour.
  • Quest and Diary Requirements: Skills like the Tombs of Amascut raid require at least 85 Mining, with 99 being ideal.
  • Ironman Utility: Self-sufficiency for ores and gems is crucial for Ironman accounts.
  • PvM Relevance: High Mining levels boost performance in raids like Chambers of Xeric.

Whether you’re chasing XP, gold, or account progression, this guide will help you optimize your journey.

Essential Mining Gear and Boosts

Pickaxe Progression

Your pickaxe is your lifeline. Always use the best one available for your level to maximize efficiency:

Pickaxe Mining Level Notes
Bronze 1 Starting pickaxe, very slow.
Iron 1 Slightly better, still basic.
Steel 6 Decent for early levels.
Mithril 21 Good mid-tier option.
Adamant 31 Solid for mid-levels.
Rune 41 Best for F2P and early P2P.
Dragon 61 P2P, special attack gives +3 Mining boost.
Crystal 71 P2P, fastest pickaxe with Song of the Elves completed.

XP Boosting Items

These items can significantly cut down your grind time:

  • Prospector Kit: Obtained from Motherlode Mine (180 Golden Nuggets), provides a 2.5% XP boost when worn.
  • Celestial Ring: Costs 2,000 stardust from Shooting Stars, grants an invisible +4 Mining boost and 10% chance for extra ore (up to Adamantite).
  • Varrock Armour: From Varrock Diary, gives a 10% chance to mine double ores (up to specific tiers per armour level).
  • Mining Gloves: Purchased in the Mining Guild, Expert Mining Gloves prevent ore depletion up to three times, ideal for Amethyst or Runite.

Combining the Celestial Ring and Varrock Armour can yield up to 20% more XP per hour for methods like powermining Iron.

Fastest Pathway to 99 Mining

Levels 1–15: Copper and Tin

Start by mining Copper or Tin at Lumbridge Swamp or Varrock South-East Mine. Each ore grants 17.5 XP, and you can bank them for Smithing or drop them for faster XP. Completing Doric’s Quest boosts you from 1 to 10 instantly. Expect to mine around 64 ores to hit level 15.

Levels 15–45: Iron Ore Powermining

Switch to Iron Ore at Al Kharid Mine or the Mining Guild (level 60 Mining for entry, but boosts work). Iron grants 35 XP per ore, and powermining (dropping ores instead of banking) maximizes XP rates. With a Rune Pickaxe at level 41, you can hit 45k–55k XP/hr, rising to 70k–80k XP/hr in the Mining Guild due to halved respawn timers.

Levels 45–99: 3-Tick Granite Mining

The fastest method to 99 involves 3-tick mining Granite in the Desert Quarry (near Enakhra’s Temple, accessible via Camulet teleport). This high-intensity method uses tick manipulation to achieve up to 85k XP/hr at level 45, scaling to 125k–130k XP/hr at level 99. You’ll need to master the 3-tick cycle, moving between four Granite rocks every three game ticks and dropping ores. This method takes around 130 hours from level 1 to 99.

Tip: Wear Varrock Armour 2 for a 10% chance of double ores, but skip the Crystal Pickaxe as it doesn’t benefit tick manipulation.

AFK and Low-Effort Methods

Levels 30–99: Motherlode Mine

For a relaxed experience, head to the Motherlode Mine (Dwarven Mine, level 30 Mining required, but start at 55 for efficiency). Clean pay-dirt for ores and Golden Nuggets, which unlock the Prospector Kit (2.5% XP boost). XP rates range from 30k/hr at level 70 to 53k/hr at level 99. Unlock the upper level at 72 Mining (100 nuggets) for better veins and more AFK time. This method is profitable, yielding 15k–300k GP/hr, and takes about 20 hours to gather the full Prospector Kit.

Levels 60–99: Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars (tier 6+ at level 60 Mining) are a low-effort, AFK method. Mine stardust to exchange for the Celestial Ring or soft clay packs. XP rates reach ~50k/hr at level 99, with around 1,300 stardust/hr. This method is ideal for casual players but slower, taking 200+ hours to 99.

Levels 70–99: Volcanic Mine

The Volcanic Mine on Fossil Island (requires Bone Voyage quest and 50 Mining, recommended at 70) offers 65k–90k XP/hr with a Dragon or Crystal Pickaxe. It’s semi-AFK but requires team coordination (3–5 players, world 323). Expect 85k–90k XP/hr at 99, making it a solid middle ground between speed and effort.

Profitable Mining Methods

Levels 40–99: Gem Rocks

After completing the Hard Karamja Diary, mine Gem Rocks in the Shilo Village Mine’s underground area. XP rates are decent (40k–50k/hr), and gems like Red Topaz can fetch 5k+ GP each. A Gem Bag (300 gem storage) and charged Amulet of Glory boost efficiency. This method balances profit (300k–400k GP/hr) and XP.

Levels 75–99: Blast Mine

The Blast Mine (100% Lovakengj favour, level 75 Mining) uses dynamite to mine ores up to 10 levels above your Mining level, including Runite. Expect 50k–80k XP/hr and 300k–800k GP/hr, scaling with level. It’s click-intensive but rewarding, especially with Runite access.

Levels 85–99: Runite Ore

Mining Runite in the Wilderness (Resource Area or Lava Maze) or Mining Guild is the most profitable method, yielding 650k GP/hr but only 6k XP/hr due to slow respawn rates. Use a Looting Bag to extend trips. F2P players face high risk in the Wilderness, so P2P is recommended.

Levels 92–99: Amethyst Crystals

Amethyst in the Mining Guild (level 92 Mining) is AFK-friendly, offering 20k–25k XP/hr and 80–100 crystals/hr (400k–500k GP/hr when crafted into javelin heads). Bring a chisel to craft while mining for extra Crafting XP (up to 1.6M total). Expert Mining Gloves reduce depletion, maximizing profit.

Tips for Efficient Mining

  • Quest for Early Levels: Complete quests like Doric’s Quest, The Dig Site, and Another Slice of H.A.M. for up to 27,525 XP, skipping to level 38.

  • Power Mining: Drop ores instead of banking to boost XP rates, especially for Iron and Granite. Enable shift-drop for faster inventory clearing.

  • Mining Guild Boost: At level 60 Mining, the +7 invisible boost and halved respawn timers make it ideal for Iron or Runite.

  • Tick Manipulation: Master 3-tick cycles for Granite to slash training time, but practice to avoid mistakes.

  • Diary Perks: Complete Varrock and Falador Diaries for Varrock Armour and Motherlode Mine shortcuts.

Reaching 99 Mining in OSRS is a grind, but with this guide, you can choose the path that suits your playstyle—whether it’s the high-intensity 3-tick Granite method, the AFK Motherlode Mine, or the profitable Runite and Amethyst routes. Equip the best pickaxe, grab your XP boosts, and start swinging. The Mining skillcape awaits!