OSRS F2P Mining Training Guide: Level 1-99 (Free-to-Play)

OSRS F2P Mining Training Guide: Level 1-99 (Free-to-Play)


Welcome to the ultimate guide for training Mining in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) as a free-to-play (F2P) player! Mining is a core skill in OSRS that allows you to gather ores, level up efficiently, and even make some gold along the way. Whether you’re a beginner looking to hit level 99 or just want to optimize your F2P Mining grind, this guide covers the best methods, locations, and tips to get you there. Let’s dig in!

Mining in OSRS is a straightforward yet rewarding skill. For F2P players, it’s one of the few skills that offers decent experience rates without requiring a membership. Plus, it ties into other skills like Smithing and can generate profit if you choose to bank higher-level ores. Training Mining also unlocks access to better pickaxes, faster mining speeds, and valuable resources like runite, making it a worthwhile investment of your time.

Benefits of Mining in Free-to-Play

  • Skill Progression: Higher Mining levels unlock better ores and faster XP rates.
  • Profit Potential: Ores like coal, adamantite, and runite can be sold for gold.
  • Simplicity: All you need is a pickaxe—no complex setups required!

Essential Mining Gear and Preparation

OSRS F2P Mining Guide Best OSRS Guides

Before you start swinging your pickaxe, you’ll need to gather some basic gear and understand the mechanics. In F2P, your options are limited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t optimize your setup.

Pickaxe Progression

The pickaxe you use directly affects your mining speed. Always use the highest-tier pickaxe available for your Mining level. Here’s a quick rundown:

Pickaxe Mining Level Required Attack Level to Wield Notes
Bronze 1 1 Starting pickaxe, available for free.
Iron 1 1 Cheap upgrade from bronze.
Steel 6 5 Noticeable speed boost.
Mithril 21 20 Good mid-tier option.
Adamant 31 30 Great for higher levels.
Rune 41 40 Best F2P pickaxe—aim for this!

Tip: You don’t need to wield a pickaxe to use it; keeping it in your inventory works fine and saves an Attack level requirement.

Starting Out: Doric’s Quest

Kick off your Mining journey with Doric’s Quest. This beginner-friendly quest grants 1,300 Mining XP, enough to jump from level 1 to 10 instantly. You’ll need:

  • 6 Clay
  • 4 Copper Ore
  • 2 Iron Ore

Mine these at a low-level spot like the Lumbridge Swamp or buy them from the Grand Exchange if you’re short on time. Completing this quest sets you up nicely for the next steps.

Fastest F2P Mining Training Methods

For players focused on reaching level 99 quickly, power mining (dropping ores instead of banking) is the way to go. Here’s a level-by-level breakdown of the fastest methods in F2P.

Levels 1-15: Copper and Tin

Start by mining copper or tin rocks, both of which give 17.5 XP per ore. The best spots include:

Drop the ores as you go to maximize XP rates. You’ll hit level 15 in about 20-30 minutes, averaging 5,000-10,000 XP per hour.

Levels 15-99: Iron Power Mining

Once you reach level 15, switch to iron rocks for 35 XP per ore. The key here is to find a spot with three iron rocks in a triangle formation, allowing you to mine continuously without moving. The top location is:

  • Al Kharid Mine: Features a 3-rock iron setup. Watch out for level 14 scorpions (non-aggressive after a while).

With a rune pickaxe at level 41, you can achieve around 50,000 XP per hour. At level 61, your success rate hits 100%, bumping it to 52,500 XP per hour. Using tick manipulation (advanced technique), you could push this to 68,000 XP per hour, though it’s highly click-intensive.

Why Iron Over Other Ores?

Iron is the fastest F2P XP method because it balances decent XP per ore with quick respawn times (5.4 seconds). Higher-tier ores like coal or runite take longer to respawn and aren’t worth it for pure XP grinding.

Profitable F2P Mining Methods

If you’d rather make some gold while training, banking higher-level ores is an option. These methods are slower for XP but can fund your F2P adventures.

Levels 30-60: Coal Mining

Coal rocks unlock at level 30 and give 50 XP per ore. The best spot is:

  • Mining Guild (Level 60 Mining): Accessible via the Dwarven Mine, offers fast coal respawns and a nearby bank in Falador.

Until level 60, mine coal at the Barbarian Village (close to Falador teleport) or Lumbridge Swamp West. Expect 20,000-30,000 XP per hour while banking, with coal selling for 100-150 GP each.

Levels 70-85: Adamantite Mining

At level 70, adamantite rocks (95 XP per ore) become viable. The Mining Guild is ideal again:

You’ll earn around 115,000 GP per hour, though XP drops to 15,000-20,000 per hour due to banking and slower respawns.

Levels 85-99: Runite Mining

Runite (125 XP per ore) is the most profitable F2P ore, fetching 10,000+ GP each. The only F2P spot is:

  • Lava Maze Runite Mine (Wilderness): Deep in level 40+ Wilderness, near PKers. Hop worlds for faster mining.

Profit can exceed 500,000 GP per hour, but XP is abysmal (5,000-10,000 per hour) due to 12-minute respawn times and travel. Bring minimal risk gear and be ready to run!

Tips and Tricks for Efficient F2P Mining

Maximize your Mining efficiency with these handy tips tailored for F2P players.

Optimize Your Inventory

For power mining, drop ores using the action bar or shift-click (enable in settings). If banking, wield your pickaxe to free up an inventory slot.

Use Superheat Item (Optional)

At 43 Magic and the right Smithing level, use Superheat Item to smelt bars while mining coal. Equip a fire staff, carry nature runes, and mine coal near a bank (e.g., Barbarian Village). This boosts Smithing XP and reduces banking trips.

Avoid Crowded Areas

Popular mines like Varrock South-east can slow you down due to competition. Stick to quieter spots like Al Kharid or Lumbridge Swamp for uninterrupted mining.

Plan Your Route to 99

For the fastest path, stick to iron power mining from 15-99. If profit matters, mix in coal (30-70) and adamantite/runite (70-99). Here’s a rough XP timeline to 99 with iron:

  • Level 15-41: ~50,000 XP/hr → 8-10 hours
  • Level 41-61: ~50,000 XP/hr → 20-25 hours
  • Level 61-99: ~52,500 XP/hr → 200-220 hours

Total: ~230-250 hours. Add 20-30% more time if banking or mixing methods.

Conclusion: Mastering Mining in OSRS F2P

Training Mining in OSRS F2P is a grind, but with the right approach, it’s both achievable and rewarding. Power mining iron at Al Kharid is your ticket to 99 for speed, while coal, adamantite, and runite offer profit at the cost of slower XP. Grab your rune pickaxe, hit the mines, and enjoy the journey through Gielinor’s rocky depths. Happy mining!