Last Updated: March 5, 2026
Mining doesn’t have to be painful. Many methods in Old School RuneScape allow you to train Mining with minimal clicking while still gaining decent experience or profit.
This guide covers the best AFK mining methods in OSRS, including their XP rates, requirements, and how long you can AFK.
AFK Mining Methods Comparison
| Method | XP per Hour | AFK Time | Requirements | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shooting Stars | ~25,000 | Up to 7 minutes | 10 Mining | Stardust rewards |
| Calcified Rocks | 25k – 45k | ~70 seconds | 50 Mining, start Perilous Moons | Prayer XP (bone shards) |
| Motherlode Mine | 45k – 65k | ~40 seconds | 57 Mining + Upper Level | Ores |
| Amethyst | ~20,000 | Inconsistent | 92 Mining | ~300k gp/hr |
| Daeyalt Essence | ~8,000 | ~60 seconds | 60 Mining, Sins of the Father | Runecrafting XP later |
| Salt Mine | ~5,000 | 10–15 seconds | 72 Mining, Making Friends with My Arm | 300k–400k gp/hr |
| Ancient Essence | ~10,000 | ~75 seconds | 75 Mining, Secrets of the North | Ancient Essence |
Shooting Stars
The most AFK mining method in OSRS is Shooting Stars. Stars fall roughly every 90 minutes on every world and range from size 1 to size 9. The mining level required is ten times the star size.
Each layer lasts 7 minutes, meaning you can AFK for up to seven minutes before needing to click again.
Mining stars rewards stardust, which can be exchanged with Dusuri outside the Mining Guild in Falador for rewards.
- XP per hour: ~25,000
- AFK time: Up to 7 minutes
- Requirements: None
The easiest way to find stars is through the Star Miners Discord: Star Miners Discord
Calcified Rocks
Mining Calcified Rocks is a highly underrated mining training method with solid AFK time and decent experience rates.
While mining, you receive blessed bone shards and calcified deposits. Calcified deposits can be turned into bone shards or calcified moths at an anvil with a hammer.
Banked blessed bone shards provide around 10–15k Prayer XP per hour, making this method especially useful for ironmen.
- XP per hour: 25,000 – 45,000
- AFK time: ~70 seconds
- Requirements: 50 Mining, start Perilous Moons
Motherlode Mine
The Motherlode Mine remains one of the best balanced mining methods for AFK training and experience.
Once the upper level is unlocked, you can mine pay-dirt for about 40 seconds before needing to click again.
If you unlock the Super Hopper, you also won’t need to leave every full inventory.
- XP per hour: 45,000 – 65,000
- AFK time: ~40 seconds
- Requirements: 57 Mining and 100 Golden Nuggets for upper level
Amethyst Mining
Amethyst requires level 92 Mining but offers strong profit with minimal effort.
The AFK time varies depending on depletion rates, but it can be extended with Expert Mining Gloves.
You can bring a chisel to craft bolt tips or darts while mining to avoid banking.
- XP per hour: ~20,000
- GP per hour: ~300k
- Requirements: 92 Mining
Daeyalt Essence
Mining Daeyalt shards beneath Darkmeyer is a niche but useful AFK mining method.
The shards can be converted into Daeyalt essence, which provides bonus experience when Runecrafting.
This method is best for players planning a large Runecrafting grind.
- XP per hour: ~8,000
- AFK time: ~60 seconds
- Requirements: 60 Mining, Sins of the Father
Salt Mine
Mining salts beneath Weiss is more of a low-attention money making method rather than a true AFK method.
Three different types of stackable salts can be mined and sold on the Grand Exchange.
- XP per hour: ~5,000
- GP per hour: 300k – 400k
- AFK time: ~10–15 seconds
- Requirements: 72 Mining, Making Friends with My Arm
Ancient Essence
Mining Ancient Essence is a niche AFK method mostly used by ironmen.
The amount of ancient essence received increases with your Mining level, reaching its highest yield at level 90+.
- XP per hour: ~10,000
- AFK time: ~75 seconds
- Requirements: 75 Mining, Secrets of the North
