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OSRS Mining Guide

Complete 1-99 Training Guide | Updated 2026

⚡ Mining Rework 2023📊 Calculator Included💰 Profitable Methods

Mining is one of the most popular gathering skills in OSRS, offering both AFK and intensive training methods. Whether you're looking to train efficiently with Volcanic Mine, AFK at Shooting Stars, or profit with Blast Mine, this guide covers everything you need to reach 99 Mining.

📑 Table of Contents

→ Mining Gear & Equipment → Quest Shortcuts (1-33)→ Recommended AFK Path → Fastest Way to 99 → Alternative Methods → Ironman Mining Guide → Mining Calculator → Frequently Asked Questions

⚒️ Mining Gear & Equipment

Pickaxes

Always use the best pickaxe for your level. The Dragon Pickaxe (61 Mining) is 5.88% faster than Rune, and the Crystal Pickaxe (Song of the Elves) is 3.03% faster than Dragon.

• Level 1: Bronze/Iron Pickaxe
• Level 6: Steel Pickaxe
• Level 21: Mithril Pickaxe
• Level 31: Adamant Pickaxe
• Level 41: Rune Pickaxe
• Level 61: Dragon Pickaxe (~750k GP)
• Song of the Elves: Crystal Pickaxe (requires charging)

Prospector Outfit

Obtained from Motherlode Mine for 180 golden nuggets. Provides 2.5% XP boost with full set.

Benefits

2.5% XP boost, saves ~6 hours to 99

Time to Obtain

~8-12 hours at Motherlode Mine

Celestial Ring

Obtained from Shooting Stars for 2,000 Stardust (less than 2 hours). Provides invisible +4 Mining level boost.

Varrock Armour

Reward from Varrock Achievement Diaries. Provides 10% chance to mine 2 ores at once. Elite diary required for all ore types.

Mining Gloves

Purchased in Mining Guild with unidentified minerals. Prevents ore depletion 1-3 times (depending on tier).

📜 Quest Shortcuts (Levels 1-33)

Skip the early grind with these quick quests:

Doric's Quest

No requirements, very quick

1,400 XP

Level 1 → 10

Plague City

No requirements, quick quest

2,425 XP

Level 10 → 18

The Dig Site

Small skill requirements, unlocks Fossil Island

15,300 XP

Level 18 → 33

💡 Recommendation

Complete at least Doric's Quest and Plague City. The Dig Site is highly recommended as it's part of the Fossil Island quest series.

😴 Recommended AFK Path

This path prioritizes low-effort, AFK-friendly methods perfect for multi-tasking.

Levels 1-15: Copper & Tin Ore

Alternative to questing

10k XP/hr

~20 minutes

Location: Varrock Mine or Lumbridge Swamp

Method: Enable shift-drop and drop all ores

Tip: Varrock Mine is recommended for proximity to multiple rocks

Levels 15-30: Iron Ore

Fast XP with powermining

30k XP/hr

~45 minutes

Best Locations:

• Ardougne Monastery (Ardougne cloak teleport)
• Varrock Mine (Chronicle teleport)
• Al Kharid Mine (Ring of Dueling)

Method: Drop ores to avoid banking

Levels 30-65: Motherlode Mine

AFK, profitable, and unlocks Prospector outfit

20-45k XP/hr

~20 hours

Location: Underneath Falador Party Room (Dwarven Mines)

How it Works:

1. Mine Ore Veins scattered around the mine
2. Deposit Pay-Dirt into the hopper when full
3. Collect cleaned ores from the sack
4. Bank using the deposit box

Upgrade Priority:

• Upper Level (100 nuggets) - Unlocked at 72 Mining for longer veins
• Upper Level Hopper (50 nuggets)
• Prospector Outfit (180 nuggets total)

💰 Profit: 50k/hr at level 30, 90k/hr at 60, 300k/hr at 90

Levels 65-99: Shooting Stars ⭐ RECOMMENDED

Most AFK method - up to 7 minutes between clicks

30k XP/hr

~464 hours

How it Works:

Crashed Stars come in Tiers 1-9. Each tier has layers that take 7 minutes of AFK mining. At level 65, you can mine Tier 6 stars and below.

Finding Stars:

• Use the Shooting Stars Tracker website
• Join "Star Miners" Discord or FC
• Install "Shooting Stars Info" RuneLite plugin

Rewards:

• Celestial Ring (2,000 Stardust) - +4 Mining boost
• Star Dust for Mining Guild rewards

🎮 Perfect for: Work, Alt-scaping, Netflix, or other activities. Set your idle notifier for 7-minute warnings!

⚡ Fastest Way to 99 Mining

For players who want to reach 99 Mining as quickly as possible (no tick manipulation).

Levels 1-15: Quests

Complete quest shortcuts mentioned above

Levels 15-70: Powermining Iron

Fastest early-game XP

up to 60k XP/hr

~15 hours

Levels 15-60: Ardougne Monastery

Levels 60-70: Mining Guild (for +7 boost and 2x respawn rate)

Pro Tip: Use Dragon Pickaxe special at level 57 to enter Mining Guild early

Levels 70-99: Volcanic Mine

Fastest Mining XP in the game

up to 90k XP/hr

~160 hours

Requirements:

• 70 Mining
• Bone Voyage Quest (Fossil Island access)
• 150 Kudos at Varrock Museum
• 40 Prayer (Protect from Missiles)
• 70+ Hitpoints recommended
• 30 Numulite per game

Team Finding:

Join the Volcanic Mine Discord to find teams. Import RuneLite tile markers for optimal efficiency.

⚠️ Note: Has a learning curve and is much easier in small teams. Use the Discord to find experienced players.

Total Time: ~165 hours from 1-99 using this path

💎 Alternative Training Methods

Profitable and unique alternatives for variety:

Levels 75-99: Blast Mine

Fast XP and excellent profit after Mining Rework

up to 100k XP/hr

up to 750k GP/hr

Location: Lovakengj

Requirements: 75 Mining, 100% Lovakengj Favour

Benefit: One of the most profitable mining methods while maintaining great XP rates

Levels 61-99: Gem Rocks

Excellent for Ironman Crafting XP

40-60k XP/hr

400-700k GP/hr

Location: Shilo Village underground (Hard Karamja Diary for bank)

Teleport: Karamja Gloves 3

Ironman Benefit: 2.6M Crafting XP from 65-92 Mining at Gem Rocks

Levels 92-99: Amethyst

Very AFK and profitable

up to 20k XP/hr

400k GP/hr

Location: Mining Guild

Total Profit 92-99: 126M GP (~325 hours)

Best for: Players who prioritize AFK and profit over speed

🔨 Ironman Mining Guide

This path prioritizes gathering resources for Crafting (not Smithing - buy Gold Ore at Blast Furnace instead).

Recommended Path:

• Levels 1-30: Quests
• Levels 30-65: Motherlode Mine (gather coal & ores)
• Levels 65-92: Shooting Stars (2.5M Crafting XP from gem packs with glory)
• Levels 92-99: Amethyst (1.6M Crafting XP + 1.6M Fletching XP from dart tips)

High-Effort Alternative:

Replace Shooting Stars with Gem Rocks (65-92) for 2.6M Crafting XP instead of 2.5M.

Expected Crafting Level: ~92 by the time you reach 99 Mining

📊 Mining Calculator

Calculate your Mining training needs with our dedicated calculator:

Calculate:

✓ Ores needed for your level goal
✓ Expected XP rates
✓ Time to reach 99
✓ Profit/loss estimates

Features:

✓ All mining methods
✓ Real-time GE prices
✓ Equipment bonuses
✓ Custom level ranges

Open Mining Calculator →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to 99 Mining?

Volcanic Mine at 70-99 (90k XP/hr) with powermining Iron from 15-70 (60k XP/hr). Total time: ~165 hours.

What's the most AFK Mining method?

Shooting Stars from 65-99. Up to 7 minutes between clicks while getting 30k XP/hr. Perfect for multi-tasking.

Is Mining profitable?

Yes! Blast Mine (750k GP/hr), Gem Rocks (400-700k GP/hr), and Amethyst (400k GP/hr) are all profitable. Even Motherlode Mine makes 50-300k GP/hr.

Should I get the Prospector outfit?

Yes, the 2.5% XP boost saves about 6 hours to 99. You'll naturally obtain it training at Motherlode Mine from 30-65.

When should I buy a Dragon Pickaxe?

At 61 Mining. It's 5.88% faster than Rune (~750k GP). Crystal Pickaxe is 3.03% faster but expensive and requires charging.

What's better for Ironmen: Shooting Stars or Gem Rocks?

Shooting Stars (65-92) for low effort with 2.5M Crafting XP, or Gem Rocks for high effort with 2.6M Crafting XP. Both leave you around 92 Crafting at 99 Mining.

How do I find Shooting Stars?

Use the Shooting Stars Tracker website, join "Star Miners" Discord/FC, or install the "Shooting Stars Info" RuneLite plugin.

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