Introduction

Mining is one of the many skills available in Oldschool Runescape. However, it is one of the less popular mechanics in the game because it is quite hard to earn enough mining experience to level up when compared to other skills, like crafting or woodcutting. Additionally, the methods that can be used to obtain more experience at a faster rate are very click-intensive, and most players try to avoid these approaches.

OSRS Quests That Gives Mining Experience

There are a couple of quests available for you to earn some early mining experience.

• Doric’s Quest
• Plague City
• Another Slice of H.A.M.
• The Digsite

Most of them have little to no requirements to unlock and complete them. If you are not a fan of mining quests, it is recommended to at least complete Doric’s Quest because you only need to bring the required items. You can complete it in about ten seconds. However, most importantly, you can level up from 1 to 10 instantly with just one quest.

Additionally, the other quests will help you further increase your experience and avoid over-grinding in certain locations. For instance, the “Plague City” quest will take you up to level 18 from just doing two questions. If you consider the remaining quests, you will be able to reach level 34 just by quests alone.

1-99 Mining Leveling Guide

Level 1-15 Copper/Tin Ores

To start out, head south of Lumbridge to the Lumbridge swamp where you’ll find some copper and tin ores. I would recommend dropping the ores on the ground to level up as fast as possible. Takes around 5-6 inventories before you are level 15 mining.

Level 15-75 Iron Ore (Fastest Method)

We will be mining in the dwarven mines just outside the mining guild until level 60 mining. After you reach level 60 mining that, head into the mining guild. If you don’t want to mine iron ores all the way to 75 we have some alternatives listed a bit below in the “Alternative Paths” section.

The best place for mining iron ore is in the mining guild since you get a +7 invisible boost to your mining level while inside. It requires level 60 mining to enter.

Level 75-85 Blast Mining

Requires 100% favor in the Lovakengj house.

You can get up to 75k exp/hr here and also 750k gp/hr which makes it excellent for both money and mining experience. The reason we recommend level 75 is because this is when you start obtaining runite ore. I find blast mining more fun than just mining regular ores and this is a viable way to get to 99 if you find it fun.

Level 85-99 Volcanic Mine

Inside the volcanic mine you get experience rates of 80k+/hour.

It requires completion of the Bone Voyage quest, 150 Museum Kudos, and level 50 mining. This location offers better experience rates than Blast Mining.

Alternative Paths To Level 99 Mining

Motherload Mining

From level 30 you can mine at the motherload mine. It’s very AFK and it’s also how you get prospector’s outfit which provides you with additional mining Exp.

Gem Rocks 75+ Mining Recommended

30-35k exp/hour and around 300-500k/hour gold depending on the price of the gems.

Granite Mining 75+ Mining Recommended

Mining granite is the better version of mining iron ores. If you 3-tick granite ores it’s around 130k exp/hour which is the fastest exp in the game for mining. It’s located south-west of the Kharadian Desert in the Quarry. You’ll need waterskins when mining there.

Zeah Runecrafting

If you are playing on reaching level 99 runecrafting through Zeah starting at 77 with Blood runes, you will be able to obtain over a million mining experience just from that grind. Therefore, if you plan to grind for mining, it is best to complete the runecrafting so you can earn all that experience. This will reduce your need to grind for mining.

Mining Equipment and Gear

Prospector’s Outfit

The Prospector’s outfit is a reward that you can purchase from the Motherlode Mine. To unlock the Mine, you must be at least level 30, which means that completing the previous quests will allow you to unlock it immediately. Apart from this, you need to mine quite a bit before you can use the outfit. Thus, you will not be capable of using this gear during your initial mining.

Nonetheless, when you finally acquire the Prospector’s outfit, mining will become easier. Each piece of the outfit bestows your character experience points when mining, and you can receive up to a 2.5% bonus when you have the full outfit. Although it is not an overwhelming boost, it will still make your mining training quicker if you wear it.

Pickaxes

You will need to use a pickaxe to mine ore. If you have no idea regarding mining ore, it is best to take your time on Tutorial Island, for future reference.

Like any other metal gear, your rank begins at the bronze level, and you increase your level as you progress through the game. You can upgrade in the following order: bronze, iron, steel, black, mithril, adamant, rune, and finally dragon.

Dragon Pickaxe

Ideally, your best bet is to acquire the dragon pickaxe because it will allow you to save a lot of hours in mining; however, it is quite a price jump compared to the other pickaxes, but you should purchase if you can afford it. The Rune pickaxe is about 6% slower than the dragon pickaxe.

Additionally, you can sell back the pickaxe to receive the money you invested, if you so desire. You only lose money if the pickaxe drops in price. Regarding the dragon pickaxe, it is a special weapon that uses 100% of your special attack bar and grants you plus three temporary boosts to your mining. This boost will also increase your experience rate by a little, so it does help in the long run. In case you didn’t know, you need to be able to wield the package to use your specs. Therefore, you must have at least 60 Attack to use it.

Varrock Armor

This armor is obtained by completing the Varrock Diaries. Using the Varrock Armour gives you a 10% chance of mining two ores simultaneously, which also means double experience points. The tier of ore that you can do this depends on what armor you are using. Level 1 Varrock armor gets you a chance get double ore up to coal. If you continue to upgrade the armor and complete the Varrock Elite Diaries you can get 2x the amethyst when mining.

Although it is a good boost in both experience and GP rates, it may not help you a lot in the Motherlode Mine or the Blast Mine. Another function that the Varrock Armor has is that it can also be used as a Prospector’s Top if you wear the rest of the outfit. The armor must be level four to be able to replace the Prospector’s Top.

Mining Gloves

When mining ore in the Member’s Area at the Mining Guild, you will have a chance to obtain unidentified minerals. These minerals can purchase special mining gloves from the Dwarf and the Guild. These gloves reduce the chances of depleting your ore when mining, thus you can continue mining and earn more experience points.

The regular gloves cost 60 minerals, but its effect only works on coal, silver, and gold rocks. Another option is the Superior gloves, which cost 120 minerals, but they only work on mithril, adamant, and rune rocks. Furthermore, adding 60 more minerals for 240 minerals, you can combine the previous gloves so they can work on all the rocks plus the amethyst rocks. The most efficient way to acquire unidentified minerals is by power mining iron in the Guild.

Overall, the gloves are not necessary to mine, but they can make certain AFK activities, particularly rocks like amethyst.