Mining

To get started here is a list of what skill levels you will need to mine each type of ore in the game.

Ore Required Skill
Copper 1
Tin 65
Silver 75
Bronze (not mined) 75
Iron 125
Gold 155
Steel (not mined) 165
Mithril 175
Truesilver 230
Dark Iron 230
Small Thorium Veins and Deposits 250
Rich Thorium Deposits 275
Fel Iron Deposit - 300
Adamantite Vein - 325
Rich Adamantite Vein - 350
Cobalt Node - 350
Khorium Vein - 375
Rich Cobalt Node - 375
Saronite Node - 400
Rich Saronite Node - 425
Titanium Node - 450

Mining 1 to 65 - Copper

Horde

Undead Race - The undead path is fairly simple. You can pick a starting point anywhere on the line and just run the path. If you are low level you may want to take into consideration areas on the map that might be too high for you to cross, if that is the case then just skip them and meet up with the path further down.

Tauren Race - Mulgore is just a big oval so this route is really simple to run. Mob levels and aggro are not that important of a factor since you'll be sticking to the outer edges of the map you should be fine. You may want to skip going into the Venture Co Mine if you are too low of a level.

Orcs and Trolls Races - As far as the Orc and Troll races go, Durotar would also be a decent place to mine copper. The only downfall would be related to its original design which is full of mountains and winding roads which make for a challenging mining run.

Alliance

Human Race - Elwynn forest is an excellent place to mine copper. It is a region that is not surrounded by too many moutains therefore allowing for an easy run. Basically start off at Golshire and head towards the Red Ridge Mountains region. From there start a circular circuit while heading back to Goldshire. Don't be shy to hug the mountain peaks on your way back.

Night Elves Race- Darkshore would be the best place to do your mining, as Darnassus does not contain many copper nodes. Darkshore is of a decent size which allows for 2 types of runs that you can accomplish in this region.

Dwarves and Gnomes Races- You can actually chose your own path in this region due to its mountanious nature. Just remember to stay close to any mountain peaks and caves in this area and you will be all set.

Mining 66-125 - Tin and Silver

Horde and Alliance

This route is available to both the Horde and Alliance.

Next would also be Thousand Needles. Make sure to check out the caves in there for veins to up your mining skills.

Many other zones in the game can help you level you tin and silver skills. Although those mentioned above are better there are also the Wetlands, Ashenvale, and Redridge mountains regions.

Mining 126-175 - Iron and Gold

Horde and Alliance

This route enables you to do normal circular circuits, just make sure to avoid any contested territories in this area such as Shadowprey Village (Alliance not welcome) and Nijels Points (Horde not welcome).

This is a decent mining route. The main thing in this area is to hit the right spots and caves. Make sure that you often check out two specific areas such as Camp Cagg and Kargath as both of them have caves which surely will help you level your mining skill.

As far as skilling up your iron and gold, Arathi Highlands would be the best place. Once again do not forget to check the caves in this area as there will be many veins for you to skill up on.

Mining 176-250 - Mithril and Truesilver

I have spent numerous occasions in the Searing Gorge area. It is good for mining mithril but most importantly Thorium veins. Do not forget to go to your mining trainer to up your skill.

This is a short normal mining route which offers many oppotunities to level your skill.

This is a great area but a long one, so get ready for the long haul. Mithril is in abundance here, without forgetting thorium too. An excellent area to greatly level your skill.

Mining 251-300 - Thorium

Horde and Alliance

This zone is composed of two mines, thorium and dark iron, i personally did not waste my time with Dark Iron Ore unless it would help me skill up. Thorium will for sure help you skill up in this area.

Very normal circular pattern, but you are sure to find many thorium veins, just keep at it for a while and you will see your skill climbing.

There are many people in this area since there are many mountains. Rule of thumb, stick to the cliffs, away from everyone else to mine you thorium.

Mining 301-325 - Fel Iron

Horde and Alliance

 

Fel Iron is very abundant in this area so you should have no problem skilling all the way up to 375. Once again, normal circular pattern, nothing major.

Veins are very scarce in Zangarmarsh, you have to very patient. What i did was mine a little bit in this area and then jump into Terrokar Forest, make sure you are of correct level to be in Terrokar.

Mining 326-350 - Adamanite

Horde and Alliance
 

Once you attain level 325 you will be able to mine Adamanite veins. These veins are in abundance in Nagrand where you will also find Fel Iron to up your skill.Just do a simple circuit around the region and stay close to the cliffs.

 

Now you can mine Rich Adamanite and Khorium. Again make sure to follow the cliffs to mine in this area. Keep in mind that Khorium is very rare in this region so you should stick to mining Fel Iron or Adamantite Deposits for now.

Mining 376-400 Cobalt and Rich Cobalt
 

Now that your skill is moving up, you can mine Cobalt and Rich Cobalt nodes. Keep in mind that you need skill 350 to start mining Cobalt. A bit of a complicated pattern for this one, just remember to make sure you are inside the cave when following this specific circuit.

Mining 376-400 Rich Cobalt
 

If you are just looking to mine Rich Cobalt to max your skill to 450 then stick to the Zuldrak area just like player who want to level Thorium go to Silithus for Rich Thorium Veins.

Mining 401-450 Saronite / Rich Saronite
 

There are two main things to remember here. First off you need to be at skill level 425 to start mining Rich Saronite. Second, you will findmany Titanium nodes along the way, just make sure you are at skill level 450 to mine these.