Are you looking to max out your Mining profession in Cataclysm Classic quickly and efficiently? This comprehensive Cataclysm Mining Guide will walk you through the fastest methods to level your Mining skill from 1 to 525. Whether you prefer smelting ores in a city or venturing out into the world to mine veins directly, this guide covers all the best routes and techniques.
If you’re still in the process of leveling your character, consider using a leveling guide to speed up the process and reach level 85 faster. This will allow you to access higher-level mining zones sooner and maximize your efficiency.
Mining Trainers Locations
To begin your Mining journey or to learn new ranks as you progress, you’ll need to visit a Mining trainer. Trainers are located in major cities for both the Horde and Alliance factions, as well as in Outland and Northrend zones.
| Faction | Trainers |
|---|---|
| Horde | Outland: Fahrad (Thrallmar, Hellfire Peninsula), Krugosh (Garadar, Nagrand) Northrend: Brunna Ironaxe (Valiance Keep, Borean Tundra), Jedidiah Handers (Warsong Hold, Borean Tundra), Jonathan Lewis (Dalaran) |
| Alliance | Outland: Hurnak Grimmantle (Honor Hold, Hellfire Peninsula), Slaag (Telredor, Zangarmarsh) Northrend: Berg Stonehoof (Valgarde, Howling Fjord), Fendrig Redbeard (Westfall Brigade, Howling Fjord), Jonathan Lewis (Dalaran) |
Leveling Mining through Smelting (Up to 500)
For players with ample gold or those who prefer a less travel-intensive approach, smelting ores can be a viable method to gain Mining skill, especially up to skill level 500. Keep in mind that smelting efficiency can vary as recipes turn green or grey, potentially requiring more ores than initially estimated. The numbers below are approximations, and you might need to adjust based on your skill gains.
| Skill Range | Smelting Recipe & Approximate Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-50 | 70x Smelt Copper (Copper Bar) | Smelt Copper Ore until you reach skill level 50. |
| 50-70 | 70x Smelt Tin (Tin Bar) | Tin Smelting turns grey after skill 75, but these bars are needed later. Proceed even if you don’t hit 70 exactly. |
| 70-90 | 70x Smelt Bronze (Bronze Bar) | You may reach between skill level 80-90. Bronze requires Copper Bar and Tin Bar. |
| 90-100 | 10-15x Smelt Silver (Silver Bar) | Smelt Silver Ore. If Silver Ore is scarce, continue smelting Bronze Bars to reach 100. |
| 100-125 | 40x Smelt Iron (Iron Bar) | Smelt Iron Ore to reach skill level 125. |
| 125-135 | 20x Smelt Steel (Steel Bar) | Steel requires Iron Bar and Coal. Coal can be purchased from Blacksmithing, Mining, or Trade Supply vendors. |
| 135-150 | 15x Smelt Gold (Gold Bar) | Smelt Gold Ore. If Gold Ore is unavailable, smelt more Iron Ore. |
| 150-175 | 50x Smelt Mithril (Mithril Bar) | Smelt Mithril Ore to reach skill level 175. |
| 175-200 | 25x Smelt Truesilver (Truesilver Bar) | Truesilver Ore smelting. If Truesilver is limited, continue with Mithril smelting until almost 200. Prioritize Mithril first. |
| 200-275 | 130x Smelt Thorium (Thorium Bar) | Smelt Thorium Ore to reach skill level 275. |
| 275-325 | 250x Smelt Fel Iron (Fel Iron Bar) (Requires 500x Fel Iron Ore) | Smelt Fel Iron Ore found in Outland zones. |
| 325-340 | 90x Smelt Adamantite (Adamantite Bar) (Requires 180x Adamantite Ore) | Smelt Adamantite Ore, also from Outland zones. |
| 340-350 | No smelting recipe available for this skill range. Mining is required. | |
| 350-375 | 60x Smelt Cobalt (Cobalt Bar) (Requires 60x Cobalt Ore) | Smelt Cobalt Ore found in Northrend zones. |
| 375-400 | Mining Cobalt Ore is recommended for this range. Alternatively, Smelt Khorium (Khorium Bar) or Smelt Hardened Adamantite (Hardened Adamantite Bar) can be used if ores are cheap. | |
| 400-425 | 100x Smelt Saronite (Saronite Bar) (Requires 200x Saronite Ore) | Smelt Saronite Ore from Northrend zones. |
| 425-475 | 240x Smelt Obsidium (Obsidium Bar) (Requires 480x Obsidium Ore) | Smelt Obsidium Ore found in Cataclysm zones. |
| 475-500 | 200x Smelt Elementium (Elementium Bar) (Requires 400x Elementium Ore) | Smelt Elementium Ore, a primary ore in Cataclysm zones. |
Cataclysm Mining Leveling Routes
For a more traditional and often more economical approach, mining ores directly in the world is highly effective. Remember to activate the “Find Minerals” tracking option on your minimap to easily locate ore veins. And don’t forget to purchase a Mining Pick from a Mining Supply vendor near your trainer!
Mining Skill 1 – 50: Copper Ore
Focus on mining Copper Ore in starting zones.
Durotar Mining Map
Darkshore Mining Map
Mining Skill 50 – 100: Tin and Silver Ore
Visit your trainer to learn Mining Journeyman. Now you’ll be mining Tin Ore and Silver Ore.
Hillsbrad Foothills Mining Map
Hillsbrad Foothills is rich in Tin. Focus on the red zone on the map for high concentrations of Tin Veins. If competition is high, circle around the outer edges and return to the red zone as veins respawn quickly.
Northern Stranglethorn Mining Map
Mining Skill 100 – 150: Iron and Gold Ore
Mine Iron Ore and Gold Ore in these zones.
Western Plaguelands Mining Map
Feralas Mining Map
Mining Skill 150 – 200: Mithril and Truesilver Ore
Learn Mining Expert from your trainer. Focus on Mithril Ore and Truesilver Ore. Felwood and Burning Steppes are excellent choices due to straightforward mining routes. Badlands is also viable, but Felwood and Burning Steppes generally offer higher Mithril density.
Felwood Mining Map
Burning Steppes Mining Map
Avoid Dreadmaul Rock cave in Burning Steppes as it can slow you down. Stick to the outer edges of the zone for efficient Mithril farming.
Mining Skill 200 – 275: Thorium Ore
Learn Mining Artisan. Mine Thorium Ore to level up. Continue to Hellfire Peninsula for Fel Iron at skill level 275, or stay in these zones until you reach skill 300 if desired.
Un’Goro Crater Mining Map
Winterspring Mining Map
Master Mining (Skill 275-350)
Mining Skill 300 – 325: Fel Iron Ore
Both Hellfire Peninsula routes are effective for Fel Iron Ore farming. Small Thorium Veins can still grant skill points up to 345, and Rich Thorium Veins up to 350. If Hellfire Peninsula is crowded or you lack a flying mount, continue mining Thorium in previous zones until skill 325.
Mining Skill 325 – 350: Adamantite Ore
Adamantite Ore farming in Terokkar Forest. Rich Adamantite nodes in Skettis and above Shattrath City require a flying mount to reach.
Flying Mount Route in Terokkar Forest:
Ground Mount Route in Terokkar Forest:
Grand Master Mining (Skill 350-450)
Learn Grand Master Mining from your trainer (requires level 55).
Mining Skill 350 – 400: Cobalt Ore
Both Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord are excellent zones for leveling with Cobalt Ore. “No flying” routes are provided for players still leveling and without flying mounts. Lower-level players should exercise caution in caves within Borean Tundra.
Borean Tundra “No Flying” Route:
Howling Fjord “No Flying” Route:
Mining Skill 400 – 450: Saronite Ore
Sholazar Basin is generally preferred for leveling with Saronite Ore due to its simpler route. Storm Peaks is an alternative if Sholazar Basin is heavily farmed.
Illustrious Mining (Skill 425-525)
Visit your trainer to learn Illustrious Mining.
Mining Skill 425 – 475: Obsidium Ore
Mine Obsidium Ore in Mount Hyjal or Vashj’ir. Hyjal offers more Obsidium, but is also more contested. Vashj’ir is a good alternative, especially if Hyjal is crowded. In Vashj’ir, complete the starting quests to obtain an underwater mount for efficient mining.
Mount Hyjal Mining Map
Vashj’ir Mining Map
Mining Skill 475 – 525: Elementium Ore
Focus on mining Elementium Ore in Twilight Highlands to reach the Cataclysm Mining cap. Rich Elementium Veins require Mining 500 and Pyrite Deposits require 525, so initially you will be mining standard Elementium Veins.
