WoW Classic Ore Farming Guide: From Copper to Thorium

By RenataKane Last Updated: 2021/06/04 Changelog Patch: 1.15.2

Table of Contents
Rating: 4.7/5 (20 Votes)

Guide Navigation
Rating: 4.7/5 (20 Votes)

What is Mining?MiningBlacksmithingEngineeringClassic WoW Mining 1-300 Profession GuideMining PickSmall Brown PouchLinen Bag

Goblin Mining Helmet - created from Goblin Mining Helmet, a level 225 Goblin Engineering recipe. This can only be used by Engineers with a skill of 205+ who either wear plate or mail

Mining: learned from Formula: Enchant Gloves - Mining, dropped by elite Dark Iron Dwarf, Dark Iron Saboteur, Dark Iron Tunneler, and Dark Iron Demolitionist in Wetlands

Advanced Mining: learned from Formula: Enchant Gloves - Advanced Mining, dropped by Undead Excavator in Stranglethorn Vale

General Info about Ore

Ore - always

Stone - sometimes

Gems - sometimes; more rarely than stone

General Info on SmeltingIf you are mining for the purposes of gold making, follow these two rules:

Do NOT smelt only for the purpose of raising skill.

Smelt only if bars are selling for more than raw ore.

Since you can skill Mining from Smelting, wealthier characters, especially those running up alts, will purchase raw ore to advance their Mining skill.

Logic plays little role in the WoW economy where professions are concerned. Combined items often sell for less than the opportunity cost of selling the component parts.

Differences in Mining between Classic and RetailMines are pass/fail.

In Retail: In Shadowlands, mining a node that's high for you gives low yield, but you get ore. In many other expansions, if you attempt to mine an ore type that's too high level for you, you'll get nuggets. Combine 10 nuggets to get 1 ore.

In Classic: If you try to mine a node that's too high level, you won't get anything but an error message.

Mines take multiple strikes to mine out completely.

In Retail: When you successfully mine a node, you get all that node has to offer in one pass.

In Classic: Mines have 2-4 iterations. When you successfully mine it the first time, it doesn't go away, and you will need to continue to mine it out until it disappears. You will only get skill mining out the first strike.

Ren's Take: Don't feel bad if you've hit it just once and run away. I've done it more often than I care to admit. It's not easy switching between games!

Mines "should be" one to a customer, unless sharing is agreed upon in advance.

In Retail: Multiple people can mine the same node with no problems. Once the first person has tapped the node, it will remain for 35 seconds until it fades away. Before that happens, anyone else can mine the node for both skill and loot.

In Classic: Mines can have 2-4 iterations until it's mined out, and then it disappears for everyone. Technically speaking, more than one person can mine a node. However, it's extremely rude to "force share" a node by hitting it while someone else is doing so; this is considered stealing. Only share nodes if this has been agreed to in advance, such as when you are in a party with another miner.

Mining ore doesn't yield experience.

In Retail: Mining gives you experience, some ore, and maybe some rocks and gems.

In Classic: Mining gives you some ore, and maybe some rocks and gems -- no experience.

You can only track one thing at a time.

In Retail: You can track everything simultaneously, including Mines, Herbs, Fishing Nodes, and all hunter tracking types.

In Classic: You can only have one type of tracking active at once. If you are tracking Mines, you can't be tracking anything else. This makes the desirable double gatherer Miner/Herbalist more challenging, since you can only track Mines or Herbs but not both at once. It also makes it harder for hunters, whose hunter tracking types also conflict with tracking gathering nodes.

Gathering AddonsGathermate 2 ClassicGathermate 2 data files.How to Use This GuideRen Recommends are handy tips and personal favorite spots for ore farming.Ore LevelsIMPORTANT: Levels in this guide refer to your Mining level, not the level of your character.Start Level: Yellow:Green:End Level:Mob Level Preferences:Best Zones:Other Zones:Byproducts:Mining Ore 1-75 in Classic WoWFarming Copper Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Mob Level Preferences:Best Zones:Other Zones:Byproducts:Rough StoneMalachiteTigerseyeShadowgemCopper OreRen Recommends: Whatever side I'm playing, I go for the "Big Ds" for early mining: Dun Morogh and Durotar. Mulgore is actually a great mining zone, but I'm not partial to playing Tauren (I hate getting stuck going through doors). Elwynn and Tirisfal both feel scattered to me and not as route-intuitive. The Barrens, Westfall, and Loch Modan are all excellent transitional zones between Copper and Tin and it's hard to pick a favorite. The few times I've played Night Elves, I've found Darkshore frustrating because of the feeling I'm playing catch-up (no mines in Teldrassil) and because of the amount of up-and-down climbing involved along the eastern mountain zone.Quests:

The Alliance Needs Copper Bars! / The Horde Needs Copper Bars!

The Alliance Needs More Copper Bars! / The Horde Needs More Copper Bars!

Rethban Ore, from Rethban Ore, mined from Copper and Tin mines in Redridge Mountains. This quest line begins with Speaking of Fortitude from Brother Kristoff in Cathedral Square, Stormwind City).

Blood Shards of Agamaggan from Blood Shard , mined from Copper and Tin mines in The Barrens. After completing this quest, they can be collected and turned in for self-buffs such as Spirit of the Wind

East Kingdoms - Alliance:Elwynn Forest (1-10)Ren Recommends: Many people recommend farming inside the two kobold mines, but I've always found them a hassle. They're crowded with fast mob respawn, and while there are a few mines in there, I found it much faster just to stay outside. Not true in all cases that inside = slower, but in my opinion, these aren't worth the trouble.Kalimdor - Alliance:Darkshore (10-20)East Kingdoms - Horde:Tirisfal Glades (1-10)Kalimdor - Alliance
Dun Morogh (1-10)Kalimdor - Horde
Durotar (1-10)Ren Recommends: When you're new, poor, and every copper counts, hunt any Scorpids you may find along the way. These drop Dry Scorpid Eye, which may not look exciting, but sell at vendors for . That's a lot when you're starting out.Mulgore (1-10)The Barrens (10-25)covered under TinFarming Tin Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Mob Level Preferences:Best Zones:Other Zones:Byproducts:Coarse StoneJadeLesser MoonstoneMoss AgateShadowgemTin OreCopper OreRen Recommends: Westfall is a great example of a zone that both has a high density of nodes (the most of any of the zones) and a shortage of viable routes. Jangolode Mine has very high mine density, but it's a high-traffic quest area and not easy to move around in. There are some tin nodes along the western coastline, but they're scattered and require some up and down as some are near the shore and the others on top of a cliff with separated passages to the top. There are also a lot of mines in the caverns leading to Deadmines, but again, not the easiest or most convenient place to farm.Quests:

The Horde Needs Tin Bars!

The Horde Needs More Tin Bars!

Rethban Ore, from Rethban Ore, mined from Copper and Tin mines in Redridge Mountains. This quest line begins with Speaking of Fortitude from Brother Kristoff in Cathedral Square, Stormwind City).

Blood Shards of Agamaggan from Blood Shard , mined from Copper and Tin mines in The Barrens. After completing this quest, they can be collected and turned in for self-buffs such as Spirit of the Wind

Barrens (10-25)Wetlands (20-30)Mining Ore 75-150 in Classic WoWFarming Silver Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Byproducts:Lesser MoonstoneMoss AgateShadowgemSilver OreSilver VeinTin VeinRen Recommends: Silver is one of the most valuable ores in ore form. The bridge from Tin to Iron has a difficult road between 115 and 125, when Tin is green to mine (and skill-ups few) and Iron becomes available. Smelting Silver Ore is a fast path over this bridge, so in a mature economy, many people will buy Silver Ore to get them over this difficult 10 levels. You can use it yourself, but unless you have a burning need for Silver Bars, keep it in ore form and keep mining over the 115-125 hump.Quests:

Gnome Improvement

Nogg's Ring Redo

Lore for a Price

Farming Iron Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Mob Level Preferences:Best Zones:Other Zones:Byproducts:Heavy StoneAquamarineCitrineJadeLesser MoonstoneIron OreRen Recommends: Graduating to iron always feels like I'm up to "big kid" status. Both Arathi and Thousand Needles offer great loop routes and remain my favorite zones for iron farming. Alterac is compact and has some interesting possibilities as well. It requires more up-and-down climbing and some of the nodes are inside an elite area, which is what kept it out of the top list. Desolace and Badlands have many nodes but they're more scattered.Quests:

The Alliance Needs Iron Bars!

The Alliance Needs More Iron Bars!

Brutal Armor Warrior

Smelt On, Smelt Off

Restoring Fiery Flux Supplies via Iron

Zinfizzlex's Portable Shredder Unit

Thousand Needles (25-35)Arathi Highlands (30-40)Mining Ore 150-225 in Classic WoWFarming Gold Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Byproducts:CitrineJadeLesser MoonstoneGold OreSilver OreIron DepositIron DepositGold VeinRen Recommends: Also like Silver, Gold Ore tends to be more valuable as ore than as a bar, though not as much. It's also used to speed Mining leveling, but it's not as important in this case. Iron becomes Green at 175 -- the same level where Mithril becomes available. There's no ten-level hump of low skilling to get over between Iron and Mithril, so the raw ore isn't in as much demand for this reason. Still, it's rare and needed in more recipes than Silver, so this is definitely one to see whether the bars or ore is fetching a better price.Quests:

Components for the Enchanted Gold Bloodrobe Warlock

The Spectral Chalice

Farming Mithril Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Mob Level Preferences:Best Zones:Other Zones:Byproducts:Solid StoneAquamarineBlack VitriolCitrineStar RubyMithril OreRen Recommends: The Badlands doesn't have the highest spawn rate for Mithril nodes, but it's long remained a popular zone for mithril mining because it's got a couple of locally prolific areas for Mithril. I've broken my own rule and added a route map for the Badlands as well.Quests:

The Horde Needs Mithril Bars!

The Horde Needs More Mithril Bars!

Smelt On, Smelt Off

The Great Silver Deceiver

The Art of the Imbue

Zinfizzlex's Portable Shredder Unit

Salve via Mining / Salve via Mining from Tainted Vitriol in Mithril/Truesilver nodes in Felwood. Prerequisite: Cleansing Felwood / Cleansing Felwood

Arathi Highlands (30-40)Click here to see that section.Badlands (35-45)Mageweave ClothHeavy LeatherThick LeatherWorn DragonscaleScalding WhelpScorched GuardianTanaris (40-50)Mageweave ClothBlasted Lands (45-55)Thorium Oretoo Mining Ore 225-300 in Classic WoWFarming Truesilver Ore in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Byproducts:AquamarineCitrineStar RubyTruesilver OreMithril DepositQuests:

Sweet Amber

The Great Silver Deceiver

The Spectral Chalice

Salve via Mining / Salve via Mining from Tainted Vitriol in Mithril/Truesilver nodes in Felwood. Prerequisite: Cleansing Felwood / Cleansing Felwood

Farming Thorium Ore (Small and Rich Veins) in Classic WoWStart Level:Yellow:Green:End Level:Mob Level Preferences:Best Zones:Other Zones:Byproducts (Small Vein):Dense StoneBlack VitriolBlue SapphireLarge OpalStar RubyByproducts (Rich Vein):Dense StoneArcane CrystalAzerothian DiamondBlue SapphireHuge EmeraldLarge OpalThorium OreArcane CrystalRen Recommends: Winterspring is a bit of a controversial choice because many of the nodes are in the southern part of the zone with a great number of elites that you will need to avoid. However, there are some good general routes and decent pockets of Rich Thorium outside the elite area, so it's still worth considering. Un'goro is the undisputed king of thorium mining due to the easy circular route, but it does have two practical issues. First, it's super popular, so competition will be high. Second, there may be some up and down climbing that poses more of a problem in a world where flying isn't possible.Quests:

The Alliance Needs Thorium Bars!

The Alliance Needs More Thorium Bars!

That's Asking A Lot

Imperial Plate Belt

Imperial Plate Boots

Imperial Plate Bracer

Imperial Plate Chest

Imperial Plate Helm

Imperial Plate Leggings

Imperial Plate Shoulders

Icebane Gauntlets Paladin, Warrior

Icebane Bracers Paladin, Warrior

Icebane Breastplate Paladin, Warrior

Zinfizzlex's Portable Shredder Unit

Un'goro Crater (48-55)Thorium OreOoze Covered Thorium VeinOoze Covered Rich Thorium VeinWinterspring (53-60)Winterfall Spirit BeadsBeads for SalfaTimbermaw HoldSilithus (55-60)Burning CrusadeWorld of WarcastFor the Horde!

Comments

Comment by Emsarrev

You need mining 275 for rich thorium veins. Otherwise, excellent guide!

Comment by janwing

Just did a full circle of 1K Needles
For iron it was not so good.
For "any ore you can get" its perfect

25 copper ore
29 tin ore
13 Iron Ore
4 Mithril ore

23 rough stone
17 coarse stone
10 heavy stone
6 solid stone

1 moss agate
1 citrine

Comment by RazerQuick

If you're trying to get a lot of copper ore quick at a high level your bags will fill up fast. I ran the Mulgore route for 100 copper dont forget that copper ore only stacks in 10, so I kept stopping at the Venture Co. Mines Cave to smelt ore into bars (stacks in 20) to save space and time. Hope this helps anyone else trying to grind out Deadly Blunderbuss for their mount like myself.

Comment by longslowgoodbye

Did Tanaris route for mithril with 60% mount, spent 20-25min and got 3 nodes. 1 was small thorium. Not worth it.

Comment by jfoobar

For starters, farming for tin ore is annoying as hell any way you slice it. You will get a ton of it while leveling, but if you are trying to specifically farm for it you have to contend with the fact that it is pretty much always mixed in with lots of other nodes. The Barrens route they have posted here, for example, will garner you a lot (a LOT) more copper than tin more likely than not. The route they published also cuts off the Bael Modan mining pit, which is something you should check. There are always three more nodes down there (if they are up, of course) and 1-2 of them are always tin.

I recommend doing this route but incorporating Thousand Needles into it. You will probably get more tin down there than you do on the whole Barrens route but even there there is still a bunch of copper and, of course, iron. At least the iron ore is worth something though.

The Alterac route some that some other sites post is hot garbage for tin, BTW. You are better off just doing Hillsbrad (don't forget the miner cave) and southern Silverpine if you are in that neck of the woods.

Comment by WokkaD

I consider Un'Goro Crater the best for Thorium in both Classic and Retail.
In Retail, if you're on a fast flying mount, then you can make it around before the node respawns.
In Classic, you don't have that issue, just others doing the same as you.

Comment by Waspire

umm FYI if u want skill ups and have another toon with you as well u can hold shift while mining and get the skill up then back away to let the other person get the skill up.

Comment by Cantras

The Arathi Basin mithril loop has to be done counter-clockwise, I believe. As far as I can tell, there's no way out of the water on either side of the keep, and no way to get up to the hills southwest of the keep from the valley southeast of it.

Comment by gbalkam

Just a note.. you learn to smelt truesilver at mining 230 at which point it is grey, so no skill ups for smelting it.
(Wow classic)

Comment by XNerfHerderX

Tin Ore farming is EASILY accomplished in Silverpine Forest. More specifically, Beren's Peril cave area...inside and outside.

WoW Classic Ore Farming Guide: From Copper to Thorium

Contribute