RS3 Mining Money Making Guide: How to Maximize Profits with Your Mining Skill

Are you ready to unlock the potential of your mining skill in RuneScape 3 (RS3) and start earning serious gold? Mining has long been one of the core gathering skills in RS3, and while many players simply use it to gather ores for personal use or for leveling up, there is a whole world of opportunity when it comes to making money through mining. Whether you're a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, there are multiple ways to capitalize on your mining ability and fill your coffers.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know to optimize your mining for maximum profit, from the most profitable ores to mine, to strategies for utilizing boosts and perks, and even some unconventional methods that many players overlook. But first, let’s get straight to what everyone wants to know—how much gold can you actually make?

The Profit Potential of Mining in RS3

The exact amount of gold you can make through mining in RS3 depends on your level, the ores you're mining, and how efficiently you can gather resources. However, let’s dive right into some rough figures to pique your interest:

• Low to mid-level miners (1-50 Mining): You can expect anywhere between 300K to 500K GP per hour mining ores like Iron or Coal, particularly in areas where you have fast respawn times.
• High-level miners (85-99 Mining): Once you can mine Runite or even concentrated gold and sandstone, you’ll be pulling in anywhere from 1M to 2.5M GP per hour.
• Endgame miners (99+ Mining): With access to Elder Rune ores, Banite, and high-end ores in the Living Rock Caverns, some players can achieve upwards of 3M GP per hour with the right gear and strategies.

Mining in RuneScape 3 is highly scalable, meaning the more you invest in terms of skill, equipment, and perks, the more money you'll make. But it's not just about having a high mining level. The strategy is key.

The Best Ores for Making Money in RuneScape 3

1. Runite Ore (Mining Level: 85+)

Runite ore has been a gold mine for players for many years, and it still holds value today. While it’s not as valuable as it once was, it is still highly profitable because of its high demand in both F2P and member markets.

• Where to mine: The Wilderness Resource Area or Mining Guild is optimal for Runite mining due to its dense concentration of ores.
• Potential profit: Up to 1M GP per hour depending on competition and efficiency.

2. Orichalcite and Drakolith (Mining Level: 60+)

The ores used to smelt Orikalkum, required for crafting tier 60 gear, are a reliable money-making method. Their mid-tier status ensures constant demand.

• Where to mine: Look for Al Kharid and Karamja mining locations. These spots are usually less crowded.
• Potential profit: Around 800K GP per hour, with the potential to reach 1.2M GP with boosts and efficient mining.

3. Light & Dark Animica (Mining Level: 90+)

As you near the top mining levels, Animica ores become a go-to. They're primarily used for smithing Elder Rune bars, which are critical for endgame armor.

• Where to mine: The best places for Animica ores are The Mining Guild and Anachronia.
• Potential profit: Consistently hits 1.5M to 2.5M GP per hour depending on the market.

4. Banite Ore (Mining Level: 80+)

Used to create Banite armor and weapons, Banite ore holds its place among the most profitable ores in RS3.

• Where to mine: The Glacor Cave and Wilderness Crater offer convenient and relatively safe spots to mine Banite.
• Potential profit: Expect 1.2M to 1.7M GP per hour.

Maximizing Your Mining Profits: Tools, Perks, and Methods

1. Invest in the Right Tools

Mining in RS3 can be greatly enhanced through the use of appropriate gear and items. Let’s look at some key investments that will not only speed up your mining but also increase your earnings.

• Pickaxes: The Dragon pickaxe or Crystal pickaxe should be your first investment as they offer the fastest mining speeds. Upgrade these tools with Honored Strength perk for additional efficiency.
• Mining Suit: A Mining outfit (like the Golden Mining Suit) can give you a slight XP boost, which translates to faster level progression and access to better ores.
• Mining auras: Master Lumberjack aura or the Perfect Juju Mining Potion can help in various ways, either by increasing the chance of mining double ores or enhancing XP rates.

2. Mining Boosts and Buffs

While tools are essential, you can dramatically boost your profits by using various buffs and boosts:

• Perfect Juju Mining Potion: Gives you a chance to mine an additional ore.
• Cinderbane gloves: Not only do these gloves help with combat encounters but they also increase the drop rate of rare materials.
• The Lava Titan: Summoning a Lava Titan familiar grants a mining level boost, speeding up ore collection.

3. Play the Market

Understanding RS3's fluctuating Grand Exchange economy is crucial. Timing your sales for when ores are at their peak value will help maximize your profit. Keep an eye on RS3 mining-related updates or world events, as these can cause price surges in ores like Runite or Banite.

Advanced Mining Strategies for 3M+ GP Per Hour

For players at level 99 with access to high-tier equipment, Living Rock Caverns and Elder Rune ores will be the best sources of income. Here’s how to squeeze every last bit of profit out of your mining:

1. Rockertunities

Take advantage of rockertunities—random mining events that can boost your mining speed for a short duration. By moving between different ore spots and keeping an eye out for rockertunities, you can significantly increase your mining efficiency.

2. Concentrated Gold and Coal

These ores are available in the Living Rock Caverns and provide an almost AFK mining experience. While you won’t get the same profits as Animica ores, this method is perfect for those looking for consistent, semi-passive income.

3. Rare Mining Events

Occasionally, RuneScape will host special events that boost mining yields or increase ore spawn rates. Take full advantage of these events as they can drastically increase your GP per hour during their duration.

Additional Tips for Maximizing RS3 Mining Profits

• Daily Challenges: Mining challenges often reward ores or mining-enhancing gear, which can be sold for extra profit.
• Portable Skilling Stations: Utilize these in popular mining areas to further enhance ore yields.
• Luminite Injector: Purchase this item from the Mining and Smithing update vendor to gain a 10% boost in ore collection rates for a short period.

The Secret to Truly Massive Profits: Consistency

The real secret to making tons of GP with mining isn't necessarily the highest ores or the best spots—it's consistency. Players who mine daily, take advantage of boosts and use all their available perks will naturally earn more GP over time. Just mining for a few hours a day at top efficiency can net you tens of millions over the course of a month.

With the right tools, knowledge of the economy, and a good mining strategy, you could easily make 50M GP a week or more. Don’t be afraid to mix up your ores, try different spots, and experiment with your gear and perks.

So, are you ready to turn your mining skill into a gold mine? Let’s get started!