The Motherlode Mine is a Mining training area that was added to Old School RuneScape on 24 April 2014. It is located in the Dwarven Mine and was discovered by Prospector Percy. Players can enter the caverns from the southern portion of the Dwarven Mine under Falador and Ice Mountain.
There are no quest requirements necessary to enter this area. However, players must have at least level 30 Mining to mine here. You also have to be members.
Features
Mining
A player mining an ore vein in the Motherlode Mine.
Players can mine the ore veins within the mine. Players will collect pay-dirt, which can be mined for 60 experience each. A maximum of twenty may be mined in one vein. A Mining level of at least 30 is required to mine the ore veins.
Cleaning
When finished mining, players can clean the pay-dirt by depositing it into hopper at the water circuit. After cleaning the pay-dirt, players gain experience for cleaning the ore, which can then be retrieved from the sack. Players can receive ores that range from coal to runite ore, depending upon their level.
A player fixing a waterwheel.
| Ore | Level | Experience | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Coal | 30 | 0 experience |
|
Golden nugget | 30 | 0 experience |
|
Gold ore | 40 | 15 experience |
|
Mithril ore | 55 | 30 experience |
|
Adamantite ore | 70 | 45 experience |
|
Runite ore | 85 | 75 experience |
Once the sack is filled with at least 81 pay-dirt, the player may no longer deposit pay-dirt and must first begin emptying the sack before more can be deposited. In about 3 full inventory loads, the player will receive a message saying that the sack is getting full, which will let you know you must empty it.
Occasionally the water wheels may break; players must carry a hammer to fix them. Hammers can be found in several of the crates, which surround the machine. Fixing the machine gives players Smithing experience equal to 1.5 times their level (e.g. A player with 50 Smithing will gain 75 Smithing experience for fixing).
Rock falls
Occasionally in certain areas of the mine, there may be rock falls blocking the players way. These can be mined granting 10 experience, but more will fall soon, and if the player is in the way, the player can take 3-4 damage.
Golden nuggets
Golden nuggets are obtained randomly depending on your Mining level by searching the sack after cleaning the pay-dirt. They are the currency used at Prospector Percy's Nugget Shop. Percy will sell players the prospector kit and soft clay packs, which contains 100 soft clay.
Prospector helmet - 40 golden nuggets- Prospector jacket - 60 golden nuggets
- Prospector legs - 50 golden nuggets
- Prospector boots - 30 golden nuggets
- Soft clay pack - 10 golden nuggets
- Coal bag - 100 golden nuggets
- Gem bag - 100 golden nuggets
Rates
Motherlode Mine XP and Profit
Note: All rates are rough estimates and may vary based on Mod John C's forum post on 22 April 2014.
| XP/Profit per hour | Level 31 | Level 41 | Level 61 | Level 75 | Level 85 | Level 99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mining XP per hour | 22,006 | 26,055 | 29,260 | 34,325 | 38,952 | 46,140 |
| Profit per hour | 17,000 | 25,000 | 100,000 | 134,000 | 174,000 | 259,000 |
Motherlode Mine v. Other Methods (XP per hour)
- Note: Rates are compared with other methods in which iron ore and granite are power-mined.
| Level | Iron Ore | Granite [1] | Motherlode Mine |
|---|---|---|---|
31 
|
28,560 | N/A | 22,006 |
| 41
|
42,000 | N/A | 26,055 |
| 61
|
49,350 | 40,410 | 29,260 |
| 75
|
52,290 | 48,400 | 34,325 |
| 85
|
52,290 | 55,490 | 38,952 |
| 99
|
52,290 | 61,740 | 46,140 |
Trivia
- On the western side of the mine, there is an NPC named Runite Minor, who is named after the designer of the Motherlode Mine and winner of the 2014 Player Designed Content.