OSRS Al Kharid Mine Ultimate Guide for Miners
The Al Kharid Mine, often called the Scorpion Mine, is a cornerstone of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) mining. Located just north of the desert city of Al Kharid, this mine offers a variety of ores, proximity to key amenities, and unique features that make it a favorite for both new and veteran players. Whether you’re power-mining iron or hunting rare gems, this guide covers everything you need to know to maximize your time at this iconic location.
Situated in a low-risk area, the Al Kharid Mine stands out for its accessibility and resource diversity. Its close proximity to a bank and furnace in Al Kharid makes it ideal for efficient mining and smithing, while the variety of ores caters to players of all mining levels. From copper to adamantite, this mine has something for everyone, with strategic advantages that keep it relevant even in 2025.
Key Benefits for Players
- Proximity to Amenities: The mine is a short walk from Al Kharid’s bank and furnace, streamlining your mining-to-smithing workflow.
- Low Risk: Unlike some high-value mines, Al Kharid is safe for most players, with minimal threats if you manage the scorpions.
- Variety of Ores: With copper, tin, iron, silver, gold, mithril, and adamantite, it supports diverse training and money-making goals.
- Power-Mining Potential: Three iron rocks positioned closely allow mining without moving, perfect for fast XP gains.
Location and Access
The mine lies just north of Al Kharid, near the main road to Varrock and west of the Duel Arena. Free-to-play (F2P) players can easily reach it by walking from Lumbridge or Varrock. Members have additional options, like using a ring of dueling to teleport to the Duel Arena or an amulet of glory to land inside Al Kharid’s palace. For those with 38 Agility, a shortcut on the northern edge speeds up travel to and from Lumbridge Swamp.
Mining Resources Available
The Al Kharid Mine is a treasure trove of resources, offering a range of ores and gems that cater to different playstyles. Whether you’re leveling up Mining or crafting jewelry, the mine’s deposits are well-suited for both profit and progression.
Ore Types and Levels Required
| Ore | Mining Level | XP per Ore | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 1 | 17.5 | Ideal for beginners, pairs with tin for bronze. |
| Tin | 1 | 17.5 | Abundant and quick to mine. |
| Iron | 15 | 35 | Popular for power-mining due to three close rocks. |
| Silver | 20 | 40 | Used for crafting jewelry. |
| Gold | 40 | 65 | High value, great for crafting or profit. |
| Mithril | 55 | 80 | Rare, slower to mine but valuable. |
| Adamantite | 70 | 95 | High-level ore, low spawn rate. |
Gem Rocks and Shooting Stars
Since the 2019 Mining and Smithing rework, the northern part of the mine features common and uncommon gem rocks, yielding gems like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. These are excellent for crafting and profit, with an amulet of glory boosting gem drop rates from 1/256 to 1/86. The mine is also one of six Kharidian Desert locations where Shooting Stars can land, offering bonus XP and rewards for players who mine them.
Strategies for Efficient Mining
To get the most out of Al Kharid Mine, you’ll need a plan. Whether you’re chasing XP, gold, or gems, these strategies will help you optimize your time and effort.
Power-Mining Iron for XP
The mine’s three iron rocks, positioned close together, make it one of only ten OSRS locations where you can mine without moving. This setup is ideal for power-mining, where you drop ores to maximize XP per hour. Using a mithril pickaxe (level 21) or higher, you can achieve 45,000–60,000 XP per hour without tick manipulation. With 3-tick manipulation (using a knife on teak logs to cancel animations), XP rates can hit 100,000–120,000 per hour, though it requires practice.
Steps for Power-Mining:
- Equip your best pickaxe (mithril at level 21, adamant at 31, or rune at 41).
- Mine the three iron rocks in the northern part of the mine.
- Drop ores immediately to keep your inventory clear.
- Use safespots to avoid scorpions if your combat level is below 29.
Mining for Profit
For money-making, focus on gold and silver ores. Gold requires level 40 Mining and yields high-value bars when smelted, especially if you use a goldsmith gauntlets for extra XP. Silver is great for lower levels, as it’s used in crafting jewelry. Both ores benefit from the mine’s proximity to Al Kharid’s furnace and bank, letting you smelt and store quickly. Expect moderate competition, but world-hopping can help you secure rocks.
Dealing with Scorpions
The mine’s level 14 scorpions are aggressive to players with a combat level of 28 or below, posing a threat to low-level miners. If you’re under level 29, use safespots by luring a scorpion around a corner to block others, as noted in the OSRS Wiki. Alternatively, train combat to level 29 or higher to make them non-aggressive, ensuring uninterrupted mining.
Challenges and Tips
While Al Kharid Mine is beginner-friendly, it’s not without hurdles. From scorpions to competition, here’s how to tackle common issues and make your mining sessions smoother.
Managing Competition
The mine’s popularity, especially for iron and gold, can lead to crowded worlds. F2P worlds are particularly busy due to bots, as discussed in Reddit threads from 2017. To avoid this, try mining during off-peak hours or use member worlds for less congestion. The Mining Guild or Piscatoris Mine are alternatives if Al Kharid feels too packed, but they lack the same proximity to a furnace.
Maximizing Efficiency
- Upgrade Pickaxes: Use the highest-level pickaxe available to speed up mining (e.g., dragon pickaxe at 61 for a 5.88% speed boost).
- Bank Regularly: For profit-focused mining, bank ores frequently to avoid inventory clutter.
- Use Boosts: Equip Varrock Armour (if available) for a 10% chance of double bars when smelting, or an amulet of glory for better gem drops.
- World-Hop Strategically: If rocks are taken, switch worlds to find open deposits, especially for mithril or adamantite.
Avoiding Scorpion Interruptions
Beyond safespotting, consider bringing food if you’re low-level and expect scorpion attacks. A few cooked fish from nearby Al Kharid fishing spots can keep you alive during long sessions. If you’re training mage, some players historically used fire strike on scorpions to protect others, fostering community goodwill.
Quests and Activities Linked to the Mine
The Al Kharid Mine isn’t just about ores—it’s tied to several OSRS activities that add depth to your experience. From quests to clue scrolls, here’s what you can explore.
Family Crest Quest
The mine hosts an NPC named “Man” (revealed as Avan during the Family Crest quest). He’s unattackable and serves as a quest checkpoint for members. Completing this quest unlocks rewards like goldsmith gauntlets, which are perfect for smelting gold from the mine.
Treasure Trails Clue Scroll
A beginner clue scroll step requires players to perform the “Panic” emote at the Al Kharid Mine, as seen in Reddit discussions from 2019–2021. You don’t need to enter the mine itself—just stand in the emote area (48 tiles high by 30 wide) and panic. No items are required, making it an easy step for F2P players.
Resource Dungeon for Members
With 75 Dungeoneering, members can access the Al Kharid resource dungeon, containing drakolith, necrite, and precious gem rocks, plus five impling spawns. This dungeon, reachable from the mine, offers higher-tier resources for advanced players, though it’s less relevant for F2P miners.
The Al Kharid Mine remains a timeless hub in OSRS, blending accessibility, variety, and efficiency. Whether you’re a noob dodging scorpions or a pro chasing adamantite, its strategic location and diverse resources make it a must-visit. Equip your pickaxe, plan your approach, and dive into one of Gielinor’s most iconic mining spots today.