Mining leveling guide

Mining in Cata Classic runs from 450 to 525 on the veins of the Cataclysm zones. Each ore needs a minimum skill, shown in brackets below. Mount Hyjal has many nodes but also many miners, and Vashj’ir is a quieter choice.

Route

Skill	Ore	Where
450-475	Obsidium Deposit (425), Rich Obsidium Deposit (450)	Mount Hyjal, Vashj’ir
475-500	Elementium Vein (475), Obsidium Deposit	Twilight Highlands, Deepholm
500-525	Rich Elementium Vein (500), Pyrite Deposit (525)	Twilight Highlands, Uldum

Trainers and tips

• Illustrious Grand Master Mining is taught by the mining trainers in the capital cities, such as Stormwind City and Orgrimmar, from character level 75.
• Smelting also gives skill: Obsidium Bar from 425, Elementium Bar from 475, Hardened Elementium Bar from 500 and Pyrium Bar from 525.
• Mining also gives Volatile Earth and Toughness, a passive bonus to Stamina. Vashj’ir needs the starter quests there for its underwater mount.