OSRS Best Place to Mine Coal

Coal is a cornerstone resource in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), essential for smelting ores into bars for Smithing and fueling your journey to crafting powerful armor and weapons. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player grinding for experience or a pay-to-play (P2P) member chasing efficiency, knowing the best places to mine coal can save you time and boost your profits. In this guide, we’ll explore the top locations to mine coal in OSRS, breaking down their benefits, requirements, and strategies to maximize your haul.

Coal is in high demand because it’s used to smelt steel, mithril, adamant, and rune bars, requiring increasing amounts per bar as you progress. With a Mining level of 30, coal rocks yield 50 Mining XP per successful mine, making it a solid mid-level training method. Plus, coal’s market value (around 150-200 GP each) makes it a decent money-maker for F2P and P2P players alike. Choosing the right spot depends on your membership status, Mining level, and whether you prioritize XP, profit, or convenience.

Top Coal Mining Locations for All Players

OSRS offers a variety of mines, but not all are created equal. Below, we’ve ranked the best coal mining spots based on accessibility, efficiency, and proximity to banks or storage options. Each location caters to different playstyles, so you can pick what suits you best.

Mining Guild (F2P and P2P)

Best for: High-volume mining with fast banking

The Mining Guild, located beneath Falador, is hands-down the top spot for coal mining in OSRS, especially for F2P players with level 60 Mining. It boasts 37 coal rocks, the highest concentration in any single location, and offers an invisible +7 Mining boost while inside. This boost speeds up your mining rate, letting you gather coal faster.

• Requirements: 60 Mining (can be boosted)
• Pros: Most coal rocks in one spot, bank chest nearby, +7 Mining boost, 50% reduced rock respawn timer
• Cons: Crowded during peak hours, high Mining level requirement

Strategy: Wear the Prospector outfit (from Motherlode Mine) for a 2.5% XP boost and use a high-tier pickaxe (like Rune or Dragon if P2P). The bank chest inside the guild makes depositing ores a breeze, so you can mine continuously without long trips. If you’re P2P, consider wearing expert mining gloves to mine up to three extra coals before the rock depletes.

Motherlode Mine (P2P)

Best for: Passive coal with bonus rewards

For P2P players, the Motherlode Mine (in the Dwarven Mines) is a fantastic option, especially if you’re looking for a semi-AFK experience. While you mine pay-dirt (requiring 30 Mining), you’ll passively collect coal alongside other ores, with a chance for golden nuggets to buy useful items like the coal bag.

• Requirements: 30 Mining
• Pros: Coal from pay-dirt, chance for nuggets, bank nearby, semi-AFK
• Cons: Slower coal per hour than dedicated spots, members-only

Strategy: Use a coal bag (bought for 100 nuggets) to store 27 coal, doubling your inventory capacity. Mine pay-dirt, clean it at the water circuit, and deposit it into the hopper. Collect your ores (including coal) from the sack. This spot shines for players who want coal while chasing other ores or Mining XP.

Free-to-Play Coal Mining Hotspots

F2P players have fewer options, but there are still great spots to mine coal efficiently. These locations are accessible without membership and cater to players with lower Mining levels.

Dwarven Mine

Best for: Low-level F2P players

Located north of Falador, the Dwarven Mine is a go-to for F2P players who don’t yet have 60 Mining for the Mining Guild. It contains 11 coal rocks alongside iron, mithril, and adamant rocks, making it versatile for multi-ore mining.

• Requirements: 30 Mining for coal
• Pros: Decent coal rock count, close to Falador bank, no membership needed
• Cons: Scorpions (level 14 and 32) can be aggressive for low-combat players, crowded

Strategy: If your combat level is below 65, stick to the northern part of the mine to avoid aggressive scorpions. Bank your coal at Falador’s west bank via the stairs southeast of the mine. A Rune pickaxe will speed things up for F2P players.

Wilderness Coal Mine (Edgeville)

Best for: Risk-tolerant F2P players

The Wilderness Coal Mine, just north of Edgeville, is a high-risk, high-reward spot with 34 coal rocks, second only to the Mining Guild. It’s in level 9 Wilderness, so PKers (player killers) are a threat, but the proximity to Edgeville’s bank makes it tempting.

• Requirements: 30 Mining
• Pros: High coal rock count, very close to Edgeville bank
• Cons: Wilderness risks (PKers), no Mining boosts

Strategy: Bring only your pickaxe and wear cheap gear to minimize losses if attacked. Mine quickly, bank often, and keep an eye on your surroundings. This spot is best for players comfortable with the Wilderness’s dangers.

Pay-to-Play Exclusive Coal Mining Spots

P2P players have access to unique locations that offer efficiency or convenience. These spots often require additional quests or items but can outperform F2P options.

Coal Trucks (Seers’ Village)

Best for: Near-AFK P2P mining

West of Seers’ Village, the Coal Trucks area has 12 coal rocks and a unique storage system. You can load coal into mine carts (up to 120 base, more with Kandarin diaries), then unload it at the Seers’ Village bank.

• Requirements: 30 Mining
• Pros: Store coal in carts, reduces banking trips, low competition
• Cons: Slower XP than Mining Guild, members-only

Strategy: Complete the Kandarin Medium Diary to increase cart capacity to 140 coal. Mine until the carts are full, then run to Seers’ Village to unload and bank. This is great for players who want a relaxed mining session.

Lumbridge Swamp Mine

Best for: P2P players with teleport options

The Lumbridge south-west mine, in the swamp behind the castle, has 7 coal rocks alongside mithril and adamant. It’s less crowded and close to a bank for P2P players with access to teleports.

• Requirements: 30 Mining
• Pros: Close to Shattered Worlds bank (P2P), quieter than Dwarven Mine
• Cons: Fewer coal rocks, less efficient for F2P

Strategy: Use a Lumbridge teleport or games necklace to bank at Shattered Worlds. An ore box (P2P) can store up to 100 coal, reducing trips. This spot works well for players mining multiple ore types.

Comparing Coal Mining Locations

Choosing the best spot depends on your goals. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Location	Coal Rocks	Requirements	Bank Proximity	F2P/P2P	Best For
Mining Guild	37	60 Mining	Bank chest in guild	Both	Max efficiency
Motherlode Mine	N/A (Pay-dirt)	30 Mining	Bank in mine	P2P	Passive coal
Dwarven Mine	11	30 Mining	Falador west bank	F2P	Low-level F2P
Wilderness Coal Mine	34	30 Mining	Edgeville bank	F2P	Risk-tolerant
Coal Trucks	12	30 Mining	Seers’ Village bank	P2P	Near-AFK

Tips to Optimize Your Coal Mining

Wherever you mine, these tips will help you get the most out of your sessions:

• Upgrade Your Pickaxe: Use the highest-tier pickaxe available (Bronze to Rune for F2P, up to Dragon or Crystal for P2P) to mine faster.
• Use Mining Gear: The Prospector outfit, mining gloves, and Varrock Armour (from Varrock Diaries) boost XP or efficiency.
• Bring a Coal Bag (P2P): Doubles your inventory for coal, perfect for Motherlode Mine or Coal Trucks.
• Watch for Gems: Coal rocks can yield uncut gems (sapphire to diamond). A charged Amulet of Glory increases gem chances from 1/256 to 1/86.
• Manage Inventory: Drop low-value ores (like clay) if banking is far, or use an ore box (P2P) to store more coal.

By combining the right location with these strategies, you’ll be swimming in coal in no time, whether you’re smelting bars or selling for profit.

Coal mining in OSRS doesn’t have to be a grind. The Mining Guild offers unmatched efficiency for high-level players, while Motherlode Mine and Coal Trucks cater to P2P players seeking variety or relaxation. F2P players can thrive in the Dwarven Mine or take risks in the Wilderness. Pick your spot, gear up, and start swinging that pickaxe!