Old School RuneScape: Mining Guide (2025 Edition)
Mining is one of the most iconic skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering players an opportunity to gather valuable resources, level up their character, and even make a significant profit. Whether you're looking to mine ores for Smithing, craft runes, or sell precious metals for OSRS gold, Mining is an essential skill that remains popular even years after the game's release.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about Mining in OSRS in 2025. From basic mechanics to advanced techniques, you'll learn how to efficiently mine ores, maximize your profits, and level up quickly.
1. Why Mining is Important in OSRS
Mining in OSRS is a skill that plays a significant role in the overall economy and is indispensable for several activities. Here are some reasons why Mining is a great skill to train:
Profitability: Many ores, especially high-level ores like Runite, Adamantite, and Mithril, can be sold for high prices on the Grand Exchange, making Mining one of the most profitable skills in OSRS. You can also smelt ores into bars and use them for Smithing or crafting other valuable items.
Smithing Synergy: Mining is directly tied to Smithing, another essential skill in OSRS. Smelting ores into bars and crafting armor, weapons, and tools is a key aspect of progressing through the game.
AFK Training: While mining certain ores, you can enjoy more passive gameplay and AFK (away-from-keyboard) training, especially at higher levels. This is especially useful if you want to train while multitasking.
Resource for Slayer: Many Slayer tasks require ores to be gathered, and runite ore is also necessary for creating high-end weapons and armor.
Economic Impact: Mining has a massive influence on the player economy, with many resources being in high demand for crafting, smithing, and other skills.
2. The Basics of Mining in OSRS
Before jumping into advanced techniques, let's cover some basic mechanics of Mining that every player should know:
A. Tools Needed
To start mining, you'll need a Pickaxe. There are several tiers of pickaxes, each offering different mining speeds:
Bronze/Iron Pickaxe: The basic pickaxe for low-level players.
Steel Pickaxe: Available at level 6 Mining.
Mithril Pickaxe: Requires 21 Mining.
Adamant Pickaxe: Requires 31 Mining.
Rune Pickaxe: Requires 41 Mining.
Dragon Pickaxe: Requires 60 Mining and provides the highest mining speed (boosted special attack).
A Dragon Pickaxe is often considered the best pickaxe for high-level players due to its special attack, which temporarily increases your mining speed by 10% and is a must-have for efficient mining at higher levels.
B. Mining Locations
Some of the most popular mining locations in OSRS include:
Varrock South-East Mining Site: A popular spot for early-level ores like Copper and Tin.
Al Kharid: Known for Gold Ore and Clay; it's a great spot for mid-level players.
Mining Guild: A high-level location that offers access to 3x Mining experience with the 3rd tier of Mining gear and Fossil Island access.
Wilderness: For the high-risk, high-reward ores like Runite, this area offers some of the best mining opportunities.
Shilo Village: A location that provides access to gem rocks for high-level mining.
C. Mining Experience and Profitability
Each ore mined will provide a specific amount of experience based on its level and rarity:
Copper and Tin: 17.5 XP per ore.
Iron: 35 XP per ore.
Mithril: 80 XP per ore.
Adamantite: 95 XP per ore.
Runite: 125 XP per ore.
The profitability of the ores you mine also varies. Runite ore, for example, is highly valuable due to its rarity, while ores like Iron and Coal are more common but still have good demand for Smithing and Crafting.
3. Best Mining Methods for 2025
A. Low-Level Mining (Levels 1-15)
When you first start mining, you'll be gathering Copper and Tin from rocks located in the South-East Varrock mining site. These ores are low-level, but they are easy to mine and offer decent experience rates for beginners.
Mining method: Mine Copper and Tin rocks simultaneously.
XP per hour: Around 10,000 XP/hour.
Profitability: Minimal, as Copper and Tin are low-value ores. They can be used for Smithing to make Bronze and Iron items, which can be sold for small profits.
B. Mid-Level Mining (Levels 15-99)
At level 15, you can start mining Iron Ore, which is one of the best ores for XP. Iron ores are commonly found at various locations, but one of the most popular methods for mid-level players is to use the 3-tick method (also known as powermining).
Best Location: Mining Guild or Al Kharid, especially with the Rune or Dragon Pickaxe for faster mining speed.
Mining method: For optimal XP rates, powermine the ore (drop the ore immediately after mining it, without banking it).
XP per hour: Around 30,000 - 45,000 XP/hour, depending on your method.
Profitability: You can sell Iron Ore on the Grand Exchange for 100-200 GP per ore. While not incredibly profitable, it's fast XP and highly effective for training.
C. High-Level Mining (Levels 99-99)
When you reach level 99 Mining, you'll want to maximize both your experience and your profit. At this stage, you'll be mining Runite ore or other rare ores like Gem Rocks and Coal.
Runite ore is incredibly rare and offers the highest XP and GP per ore, but it is located in dangerous areas like the Wilderness, making it a high-risk, high-reward activity.
Best Location: Wilderness or Prifddinas (Mining Guild) for high-value ores like Runite and Coal.
Mining method: Use powermining or use Mining Guild if you want to focus on efficiency and safety.
XP per hour: With Runite ore, you can expect around 35,000 - 45,000 XP/hour.
Profitability: Runite ore can sell for over 10,000 GP per ore, making it incredibly profitable. You can expect to make 1,000,000+ GP/hour if you're mining Runite successfully in the Wilderness or other high-reward locations.
D. Special Mining Methods
In addition to the standard methods, there are some specialized mining methods that can provide extra benefits:
Mining Guild: The Mining Guild is a must-visit location for mid to high-level miners, as it provides a 3x experience boost and access to a variety of ores, including Coal and Gold.
Gem Rocks: Located at Shilo Village, gem rocks offer a chance to mine precious gems while also providing solid XP.
Motherlode Mine: This method is often considered one of the most relaxing and rewarding ways to train Mining. Located in The Motherlode Mine, this method offers the opportunity to gather Pay-dirt, which can be smelted for ores and gold. It's a great method for players who want passive training.
4. Maximizing Mining Efficiency in 2025
To maximize your efficiency in mining, consider the following tips:
Use the Right Pickaxe: Always upgrade to the best pickaxe you can afford. The Dragon Pickaxe is the best pickaxe for high-level mining due to its special attack that temporarily boosts mining speed by 10%.
Power Mining: Use powermining techniques, especially for ores like Iron and Coal, to drop ores immediately after mining for faster XP.
Angler's Outfit: The Angler's Outfit is a must-have for boosting XP rates, as it provides a 2.5% XP boost. Though primarily designed for fishing, it's invaluable in improving mining efficiency when worn.
Mining Pet: The Rock Golem pet is a rare reward for miners. It drops randomly and can be kept as a pet once you've earned it. The pet is rare but an excellent addition to your account.
5. Conclusion: A Profitable and Rewarding Skill
Mining is a highly rewarding skill in OSRS that offers both profit and experience. Whether you're a beginner mining basic ores like Tin and Copper, or an experienced player mining rare ores like Runite, this skill remains one of the most versatile and profitable in the game. By utilizing efficient techniques and seeking out high-level ores, you can rapidly level up and enjoy the rewards of a steady income stream. You can also buy RuneScape gold to obtain resources more quickly.
The demand for mined ores in OSRS will likely continue well into 2025 and beyond, ensuring that mining will remain a staple skill for both casual and hardcore players alike. Keep mining, keep gathering, and may your pickaxe always strike gold!