Horde Mining Guide — Vanilla WoW 1-300 (Patch 1.12.1)
Mining is the foundation of Blacksmithing and Engineering and a strong standalone gold-making profession. At max level, Thorium Ore, Dense Stone, and Truesilver are in constant demand from crafters and raiders. This guide takes Horde players through the most efficient route to 300 Mining.
Mining Skill Thresholds
| Skill | Ore/Vein Unlocked | Primary Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copper Ore | Durotar, Barrens |
| 65 | Tin Ore | The Barrens, Silverpine |
| 75 | Silver Ore | The Barrens |
| 125 | Iron Ore | Hillsbrad, Arathi Highlands |
| 155 | Gold Ore | Arathi Highlands |
| 175 | Mithril Ore | Tanaris, Badlands |
| 230 | Truesilver Ore | Feralas, Tanaris |
| 245 | Small Thorium Vein | Burning Steppes, Un'Goro |
| 275 | Rich Thorium Vein | Silithus, Eastern Plaguelands |
Skill 1–65 — Copper in Durotar and Barrens
Train Mining in Orgrimmar from Makaru in the Valley of Honor. Head to Durotar for Copper nodes scattered throughout. Once you hit 50, transition to the Barrens which has excellent Copper density especially in the rocky northern sections near the Mor'shan Rampart. Reach 65 before moving on.
Skill 65–125 — Tin and Iron
Move to the northern Barrens and Silverpine Forest for Tin Ore at 65. The Barrens has both Copper and Tin mixed, making it a good zone to stay in until 100. At 100, head to Hillsbrad Foothills for Iron Ore. The mountain ranges on the east side of Hillsbrad and the Alterac Mountains border have dense Iron spawns. Reach 125 here.
Skill 125–200 — Iron to Mithril
Stay in Hillsbrad or move to Arathi Highlands for Iron from 125 to 175. Arathi has excellent Iron density and also Gold nodes at 155. At 175, transition to Tanaris or Badlands for Mithril. The Badlands has exceptional Mithril density — circuit the rocky areas for fast skill gains. Tanaris is slightly less dense but better for simultaneous Zul'Farrak dungeon runs.
Skill 200–300 — Mithril and Thorium
Continue Mithril in Badlands or Tanaris to 250. At 245, Small Thorium Veins start appearing — head to Un'Goro Crater or Burning Steppes for the transition from Mithril to Thorium. Un'Goro has great ore density alongside herbs if you have Herbalism dual-profession. At 275, Rich Thorium Veins unlock — move to Silithus or Eastern Plaguelands for maximum Thorium density to finish 300.
Max Level: Farming Thorium for Gold
Rich Thorium Veins in Silithus and Eastern Plaguelands are your primary gold source. Thorium Bar (smelted from ore) is required for many Blacksmithing and Engineering crafts. Dense Stone from Thorium veins also sells well to crafters. Use Auctioneer to track ore prices and determine whether to sell raw ore, smelt it to bars, or hold for price spikes before raid nights.