Time: 2026-01-09
Mining in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the core gathering skills, letting players extract valuable ores, rocks, and gems that fuel other professions like Smithing. As your Mining level increases, you’ll gain access to better ores and faster tools, unlocking new opportunities for profit and efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Mining — from level 1 to 99, including efficient quest paths, AFK training methods, and money-making strategies to help you reach max level while earning plenty of OSRS Gold.
A pickaxe is the foundation of your Mining journey. The stronger your pickaxe, the faster you can extract ores.
For example:
Bronze Pickaxe: Rolls every 8 ticks (slow)
Rune Pickaxe: Rolls every 3 ticks (fast)
Your Mining level determines your success rate when extracting ores. As you gain levels, continually upgrade your pickaxe to ensure you're mining at the most efficient speed possible.
You can easily purchase any pickaxe on the Grand Exchange using OSRS Gold — upgrading regularly is one of the simplest ways to reduce training time.
If you’re aiming for 99 Mining, stacking XP bonuses and efficiency gear makes a noticeable difference.
Recommended XP Boosts:
Prospector Kit: Wearing the full outfit grants a 2.5% XP boost.
Varrock Armor: Provides a 10% chance to mine double ores — massive for XP and profit gains.
Celestial Ring: Adds a +4 Mining level boost and a 10% chance to double ore when charged.
Combining these bonuses drastically improves your XP/hr rates and gold output, especially during long training sessions.
💡 Tip: Use the Celestial Ring and Varrock Armor together for optimal efficiency when power mining.
Questing early saves hours of grinding. After completing a few key quests for early XP, follow these main training paths:
Level RangeMethodNotes1–15Powermine CopperFastest start, trains fundamentals15–70Powermine IronSweet spot for consistent XP (15k–60k/hr)70–99ZalcanoBest balance of XP + profit at higher levels
Zalcano remains the top-tier Mining training method at endgame. While requiring high stats and some combat experience, it delivers 40k+ XP/hr alongside notable profit from rare drops — making it both efficient and lucrative.
If you prefer a more quest-based start to skip early monotony, here’s an optimized quest path to reach level 30+ quickly:
Doric’s Quest – Boosts you to Level 10 instantly.
Plague City – Adds Mining XP and gets you to ~Level 18.
Dig Site Quest – Can take you to around Level 33.
Once these are complete:
From 1–15, mine Copper/Tin at Lumbridge Swamp Mine.
At 15–70, powermine Iron Ore (with energy potions for faster resets).
Combine XP boosts for maximum gains.
With this approach, you can reach Level 70 in a matter of days, even with casual play.
Mining doesn’t always require full attention — several AFK-friendly options exist for players who enjoy multitasking or passive training.
Shooting Stars: Relaxed, community-driven Mining events with great XP and occasional star dust profit.
Motherlode Mine: Excellent XP and steady income through pay-dirt and ores.
Dense Essence Mine: Generates XP while providing materials for RuneCrafting (AFK-friendly).
For wealthier miners or those looking to earn while they train:
Blast Mine: Moderate attention required but strong XP/hr and gold returns.
Zalcano: Top-end method combining XP, gold, and rare loot.
Runite Rocks: Extremely profitable, but high competition and risk in the Wilderness.
Using these techniques, disciplined players can cap 99 while building millions in profit.
ItemEffectProspector Kit+2.5% XP BoostCelestial Ring+4 Mining Boost, Chance to Double OresVarrock Armor+10% Chance for Double OreDragon Pickaxe (Special)Temporarily increases Mining level by +3
Combine these for maximum XP efficiency and long-term profit as you climb to 99.
Mining in Old School RuneScape is more than just a grind — it’s one of the best ways to make consistent gold while progressing your skills. The fastest route to 99 combines early questing, powermining copper and iron, and elite-level training at Zalcano for XP and wealth.
Enhance your progress using Prospector gear, the Celestial Ring, and the Varrock Armor bonuses to achieve maximum efficiency. With smart planning, Mining becomes a relaxing and profitable journey rather than a chore.
Finally, if you’re looking to accelerate your progress, consider investing in OSRS Gold for easier access to optimal gear, supplies, and upgrades.
Keep mining, stay consistent, and soon enough, you’ll be celebrating your Level 99 Mining Cape — one of the most satisfying milestones in OSRS.