OSRS 1–99 Mining Guide

Why Train Mining?

Mining is one of the most valuable non-combat skills in Old School RuneScape. It plays a key role in high-level PvM, endgame raids, quest progression, and long-term account value.

Higher Mining levels directly improve performance in raids such as Chambers of Xeric and Tombs of Amascut, while also unlocking essential quests, diaries, and consistent money-making opportunities.

At-a-Glance: Best Mining Paths

• Fastest XP (Tick Manipulation): 3-tick granite

• Fastest Non-Tick: Volcanic Mine, Blast Mine, Zalcano (XP mode)

• Best AFK: Shooting Stars, Motherlode Mine, Calcified Rocks

• Best Profit: Zalcano, Runite, Amethyst, Blast Mine

• Best for Ironmen: Sandstone, Gem Rocks, Zalcano

Mining XP Boosts & Equipment

• Celestial Ring: +4 invisible Mining boost, charged ring adds extra ore chance

• Varrock Armour: Chance to receive double ores (up to specific tiers)

• Mining Guild: +7 invisible Mining boost and faster respawns

• Prospector Outfit: 2.5% XP bonus

• Mining Gloves: Prevent rock depletion on slow ores

Always upgrade to the best available pickaxe. Crystal pickaxe provides the highest consistent XP due to improved tick mechanics.

Low-Level Mining (1–33)

Quest-Based Progression

• Doric’s Quest: 1 → 10 Mining

• Plague City: Early boost to the high teens

• The Dig Site: Pushes Mining to 33

Reaching level 33 early allows efficient iron powermining and unlocks many faster methods.

Traditional Training

If avoiding quests, mine copper and tin until level 15. Upgrade pickaxes immediately as they drastically affect mining speed.

Fastest Mining Methods

Powermining Iron

From level 15 to 70, powermining iron is the fastest non-tick method.

• Best at 3-rock locations

• Varrock Armour boosts XP significantly

• Mining Guild locations outperform others at 60+

3-Tick Iron (15–45)

This method removes respawn downtime by rotating between four iron rocks while maintaining a 3-tick action.

3-Tick Granite (45–99)

The fastest Mining XP in the game.

• Up to 125k XP/hr at 99

• Requires desert protection

• High focus and precision required

Fast Non-Tick Methods

Volcanic Mine

A high-efficiency group activity available at level 50 Mining.

• 70k–85k XP/hr

• Scales well to 99

• Multiple roles allow flexible playstyles

Blast Mine

Allows access to higher-tier ores earlier using dynamite.

• Up to 90k XP/hr at high levels

• Highly profitable after Runite unlocks

Zalcano (XP Mode)

By disabling loot, Zalcano becomes one of the fastest Mining XP methods without tick manipulation.

AFK Mining Methods

Shooting Stars

• Up to 7 minutes AFK per layer

• Low XP, extremely low effort

Motherlode Mine

• Unlocked at 30 Mining

• Upper level greatly improves XP & AFK time

• 45k–65k XP/hr

Calcified Rocks

A hybrid AFK method that also provides Prayer resources.

Dense Essence (Passive)

Players training Blood Runecrafting can gain over 1M Mining XP passively.

Profitable Mining Methods

• Zalcano (Loot On): Up to 2M GP/hr

• Runite Rocks: ~600k GP/hr

• Amethyst: ~300k GP/hr, very AFK

• Blast Mine: Over 100M GP from 45–99

Ironman Mining Strategies

• Sandstone for Crafting supplies

• Gem Rocks for jewelry and bolts

• Zalcano for bulk resources

• Amethyst for endgame ammunition

Free-to-Play Mining

• Doric’s Quest remains the best start

• Powermining iron from 15–99

• Shooting Stars and Barronite provide AFK alternatives

Efficiency Note

Many players mix high-focus training with AFK methods depending on availability. When time is limited, some choose convenience-based progression options such as :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} to maintain consistent account growth without disrupting other in-game goals.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to 99 Mining?

3-tick granite from level 45 onward.

Best AFK Mining method?

Shooting Stars or Amethyst.

Best Mining money maker?

Zalcano with loot enabled.

Is Mining worth training?

Yes. It strongly impacts PvM, quests, and long-term profit.