The first profession I started earning gold in WoW was mining. When I asked my senior comrades what kind of craft to do, then, as a beginner, I was advised to take mining professions, since others did not bring such income (which was a controversial statement), and for a beginner who pumps the first character, they are a great help to strengthen the material position (which was true).

Important : This guide has been updated for patch 8.0.1 (current version of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth). But for those who rock mining on official classic servers WoW it will also be useful. Locations and places where you can find this or that ore have not changed, so you can use the maps without problems.

Yes, indeed, if you quest and spend most of your time in locations, then one way or another you come across flowers and ore veins, but an animal that you can skin even more so. Now there is another reason why it makes sense for a new character to engage in mining - they give experience for him, that is, by pounding with a pickaxe you are pumped.

Miners provide raw materials for many manufacturing professions. The metals smelted by miners are used by engineers and blacksmiths, while the ore is sieved by jewelers. If you choose mining, you will definitely not be left without income, the demand for ore of all levels is constant. The disadvantages of this profession are that it is a farmer by definition and in order to earn money you have to spend a lot of time. Therefore, many players, after reaching the level cap, reset mining and change professions.

The leveling of mining is carried out by two methods that can be used both together and separately - ore mining and metal smelting. Both add points, so unlike herbalism or skinning, you can upgrade mining without leaving the city, simply by buying ore and smelting it into metal ingots. True, only up to level 525.

Mining is not one of the professions that developers often changed, but a few points are worth noting:

    • in addition Cataclysm for digging ore began to give experience;
    • In addition, Mists of Pandaria introduced the ability to mine any ore, regardless of skill level. In this case, the amount of ore mined depends on what its level is. Therefore, it is still recommended to download the skill in the old fashioned way, so as not to lose in the amount of raw materials produced.
    • The Warlords of Draenor expansion dealt a critical blow to mining (and herbalism too). Each garrison had its own mine, in which a character without the mining skill could extract ore for his needs. Additional ore could be obtained by placing orders with followers. In addition, there is no need to melt ingots. Blacksmiths and engineers began to make items directly from the ore. Finally, jewelers stopped sifting ore for raw gemstones. In short, the value of the skill has dropped significantly.
    • in the addition of Legion, everything returned to normal. There were no mines in the strongholds, and the ore will again be useful for jewelers to obtain precious stones.

One of the innovations of the Battle for Azeroth expansion, which seriously affects leveling, is that the skill is now divided into tiers. Each tier corresponds to an addition. The most important thing is that the ranges are independent of each other. If you want to level up your Mining skill in Northrend, then you don't have to run around the Old World and Outland digging for ore. You just find a teacher in Northrend, learn from him and pump the skill. The tier distribution is shown below. In general, we can say that this did not particularly affect the pumping routes. The total number of skill points is now 950.

  • 1-300 - mining
  • 1-75 - Outland Mining
  • 1-75 - Northrend Mining
  • 1-75 - cataclysmic mining
  • 1-75 - Pandarian Mining
  • 1-100 - Draenic Mining
  • 1-100 - Mining Legion
  • 1-150 - Kul Tiran / Zuldazar Mining

Check out this video for more updates on professions in Battle for Azeroth

Thus, now (patch 8.0.1) there are several ways to upgrade the mining skill:

  • if you are not interested in the amount of ore mined, then you do not need to follow the recommended sequence of locations. In doing so, remember the following important point. If you have not learned the mining skill for a certain shooting range, then in some cases it will not be pumped. Let's say the Legion Mining skill is unlocked after you hit an ore for the first time in the Broken Isles. Whereas for Outland ores, such a mechanism does not work. Yes, you can mine ore, but you won't get any points for it. Perhaps this is a bug that will be fixed, but for now it's better to fly to the mining teacher first and learn the skill, and then dig the ore.
  • if the amount of ore is important to you, then the order of passing through the locations must be observed. In other words, pumping is the old fashioned way.
  • the skill can still be upgraded by smelting ore, though not for all tiers either. Let's say there is no smelting in Draenic and Legion mining. You can only smelt into ingots up to Pandarian ores. That is, pump a skill for shooting ranges classic game, Outland, Northrend, Cataclysm and Pandaria can be accessed without leaving the city. For the tiers of Draenor mining and beyond, you need to go out into the field and beat on the ore veins.

Yes, now the skill can be upgraded without being tied to specific zones, but you will receive significantly less ore, so in principle it is recommended to stick to a certain order of zones.

Before moving on to specific routes and leveling algorithm, information on what ore veins and metals are in Azeroth.

Ores of Azeroth, Draenor and Outland

Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms
Copper core
tin vein
Bronze (only smelting, copper and tin)
Silver vein
iron vein
Goldmine
Steel (only smelting, iron and coal)
mithril deposit
True Silver Deposit
Dark iron deposit
Small Thorium Vein
Rich Thorium Vein

Outland (The Burning Crusade)
Fel Iron Deposit
Adamantite deposit
Fel Iron (smelting only)
Rich adamantite deposit
Khorium Vein

Northrend (Wrath of the Lich King)
Cobalt deposit
Rich cobalt deposit
Saronite deposit
Rich deposit of saronite
Titanium deposit

Ore veins available after Cataclysm
obsidium deposit
Deposit of pure saronite
Rich deposit of obsidium
Elementium Vein
Rich elementium vein
Pyrite deposit
Rich deposit of pyrite

Pandaria (Mists of Pandaria)
Ghost Iron Ore
Rich Ghost Iron Ore
Black and white trillium ore

Draenor (Warlords of Draenor)
Blackrock Ore
True iron ore

Broken Isles (Legion)
Leystone Ore
Felslate

Leveling Mining in Battle for Azeroth

In the Battle for Azeroth add-on, three types of ore were introduced, and not two, as usual:

  • Monelite ore;
  • Storm Silver Ore;
  • Platinum ore;

The first two types are the lowest tier of ores, and platinum, respectively, is more rare and therefore valuable.

As in Legion, this ore can be mined at different rates depending on the skill level of the particular ore. Yes, these are the most notorious stars. Moreover, you can increase the level of skill, as in Legion, by completing quests. By the way, the developers left quests in Battle for Azeroth only for mining and herbalism.

What routes are best to walk in order to find more ore - see the maps below.

Monelite ore

Tiragarde Sound

Stormsong Valley

Drustvar

Nazmir

Vol'dun

Zuldazar

Storm Silver Ore

Tiragarde Sound

Stormsong Valley

Drustvar

Nazmir

Vol'dun

Zuldazar

Platinum ore

Tiragarde Sound

Stormsong Valley

Drustvar

Nazmir

Vol'dun

Zuldazar

Early tier mining upgrade

So, let's begin. Maps are impudently stolen from this resource.

Mining (1-300)

1-60. Copper ore

The first ore we can mine is copper and the metal we can smelt is copper. Found mainly in noob locations 10-20 levels. Below are the optimal routes for various factions and races. Leveling with loot copper ore last until about skill level 66.

Horde

Durotar

Azshara

Mulgore

Eversong Forest

Tirisfal Glades

Alliance

Azuremyst Isle


Darkshore

Dun Morogh


Elwynn Forest


60-100. Tin and silver ore

Hillsbrad foothills

Ashenvale

100-150. Iron and gold ore

Feralas

cape Stranglethorn Vale

Western Plaguelands

150-200. Truesilver Ore and Mithril Ore

Badlands

Felwood

200-300. Thorium ore

Un'Goro Crater- there is a lot of thorium ore at the edges of the crater, we just run in a circle.

Blasted Lands


Winter Keys


Copper is a ductile metal of a golden-pink color, which in its pure form is found in nature more often than nuggets of gold or silver. But mostly copper is mined from copper ores - natural mineral formations. Most copper is found in sulfide ores. In oxidation zones, copper is found in most silicates, carbonates, and oxides. Copper is also found in sedimentary rocks: shales and cuprous sandstones.

Modern science knows more than 200 minerals containing copper. In industry, metal extracted from sulfates is most often used, including:

  • Chalcosine (79% copper);
  • Bornite (up to 65%);
  • Chalcopyrite, or copper pyrites (about 35%).

Copper is also found in copper-nickel compounds. The most famous of them is cubanite (up to 45% copper). Of the oxidized ores, it is worth noting cuprite (88%), malachite (up to 58%), azurite (up to 56%). Sometimes there are deposits of native copper.

Characteristics and types of copper

Copper is one of the first metals to be used by man. The chemical symbol is Cu (cuprum). This metal has high thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. Copper melts at low temperatures, perfectly solderable, the metal is easy to cut and process.

Some copper compounds can be toxic to humans. Elevated levels of copper in water and food can cause diseases of the liver and gallbladder. Quarries left after copper mining become sources of toxins. For example, Lake Berkeley Pit, formed in the crater of a former copper mine, is considered the most toxic lake in the world. But, the bactericidal properties of copper are disproportionately higher. It has been proven that copper helps fight influenza viruses, destroys staphylococci.

Pure copper is rarely used in industry. Alloys found more use:

  • Brass (an alloy of copper and zinc);
  • Bronze (with tin);
  • Babbits (with lead);
  • Melchior (with nickel);
  • Dural (with aluminum);
  • Jewelry alloy (with gold).

Deposits and mining of copper

The largest copper deposit in the world is located in Chile - this is the Esconida quarry. Huge deposits of native copper have been discovered here.

Other major deposits:

  • Mines on the Kivino Peninsula (USA, Michigan);
  • Mine "Chukikamata" in Chile (up to 600 thousand tons per year);
  • Mine "Korokoro" Bolivia;
  • Gumishevsky mine ( Middle Ural, Russia) - now exhausted;
  • Valley of the Levikha River (Middle Urals, Russia);
  • Massive gabbro (Italy).

According to the US Geological Survey, the largest copper deposits belong to Chile. This is followed by the USA, Russia, Peru and Mexico.

Copper mining methods:

  • Open;
  • Hydrometallurgical - when copper is leached from the rock with a weak solution of sulfuric acid;
  • Pyrometallurgical - consists of several stages (enrichment, roasting, melting to matte, blowing and refining).

Careful attitude to copper ores

Copper ores are non-renewable resources, and therefore their development requires careful treatment, both in mining methods and in industrial processing.

More and more industry is becoming demanding of constant volumes of resources received, which leads to their gradual depletion. To do this, we need to carefully control the extraction of copper ores, along with other non-renewable resources such as oil, natural gas, more carefully and more rationally applies to use, both in industrial and domestic consumption.

The use of copper

Copper is one of the most important non-ferrous metals, which has found application in almost all spheres of human life.

  • Electrical industry (wires, wire);
  • Mechanical engineering (starter, power windows, radiators, coolers, bearings);
  • Shipbuilding (hull cladding);
  • Construction (pipes, pipelines, roofing and cladding materials, bathtubs, faucets, sinks);
  • In art ( Jewelry, statues, coinage);
  • household (air conditioners, microwaves, coins, nutritional supplements, musical instruments).

Interestingly, the Statue of Liberty is made of copper. It took about 80 tons of metal for its construction. And in Nepal, copper is considered a sacred metal.

The most common copper ore on our planet is bornite. But besides it, copper is also mined from other ores, which we will discuss in the framework of this article.

1

By this ore is meant accumulations of minerals in which copper is present in such quantities that are considered suitable for processing it for industrial purposes. The generally accepted indicator of the reasonableness of the development of a deposit is considered to be the situation when copper accumulations in it are at least 0.5–1%.

At the same time, about 90% of the reserves of this metal on earth are found in ores containing not only copper, but also other metals (for example, nickel).

Large-scale copper mining in Russia is carried out in Eastern Siberia, the Urals and the Kola Peninsula. The largest deposits of this metal are present in Chile (according to experts - about 190 million tons). Other countries involved in the development of such ores include the USA, Zambia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Canada, Zaire, Armenia, Congo, Peru, Uzbekistan. In total, the planet's total copper reserves in explored deposits is approximately 680 million tons.

All copper deposits are usually divided into six genetic groups and nine industrial geological types:

  • stratiform group (copper shales and sandstones);
  • pyrite (native copper, vein and copper-pyrite type);
  • hydrothermal (porphyry copper ores);
  • magmatic (copper-nickel ore);
  • skarn;
  • carbonate (iron-copper and carbonatite type).

In our country, the main copper mining is carried out on cuprous shale and sandstone, from copper pyrite, copper-nickel and copper-porphyry ore.

2

In nature, copper is rarely found in its native form. Most often, it "hides" in various compounds. The most famous of them are the following:

3

Other copper minerals are much less common, among which are the following:

4

This metal, whose characteristics (for example, high) led to its wide demand) is obtained from the minerals and ores described by us in three ways - hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical and electrolysis. The most common is the pyrometallurgical technology, which uses the mineral chalcopyrite as a feedstock. General scheme The pyrometallurgical process includes several operations. The first of these is the enrichment of copper ore by oxidative roasting or flotation.

The flotation method is based on the difference in wettable waste rock and copper containing particles. Due to this, some mineral elements adhere (selectively) to air bubbles and are transported by them to the surface. Such a simple technology makes it possible to obtain a powdered concentrate, in which the copper content varies from 10 to 35 percent.

Oxidative roasting (do not confuse it with) is more often used when the initial raw material contains sulfur in large quantities. In this case, the ore is heated to a temperature of 700–800 degrees, which leads to the oxidation of sulfides and a decrease in the sulfur content by 2 times. After that, melting is performed for matte (an alloy with iron and copper sulfides obtained in reverberatory or shaft furnaces) at a temperature of 1450 degrees.

Copper matte, which is obtained after all these operations, is blown in horizontal converters without supplying additional fuel ( chemical reactions provide the necessary heat for the process) with side blast for the oxidation of iron and sulfides. The resulting sulfur is converted into SO2, and oxides into slag.

As a result, the so-called black copper comes out of the converter, in which the metal content is approximately 91%. Subsequently, it is subjected to cleaning using fire refining (removal of unnecessary impurities) and an acidified solution of vitriol (copper). Such cleaning is called electrolytic, after which the copper content reaches 99.9%.

With the hydrometallurgical method of producing copper, it is obtained by leaching the metal with sulfuric acid (a very weak solution) and separating copper and other precious metals from the resulting solution. This technique is recommended for working with low-grade ores.


This Mining guide provides general tips for quickly leveling a profession to the maximum. It is worth considering that the guide only indicates what kind of ore to dig and where it is most often found. You will have to choose the routes around the locations yourself - this is not difficult, plus it can help you complete the Explorer achievement.

Mining 1 - 65
Collect: Copper Ore (Copper Vein)
In the beginning, as usual, everything is simple. We pump the profession up to about 50 in gathering, after that we smelt the ore into Copper ingots. Copper veins are found everywhere in the initial locations.

* at skill level 50 go to the trainer and learn Mining (Journeyman)

Mining 66 - 125
Collect: Tin Ore (Tin Vein), Silver Ore (Silver Vein), Flamestone Ore (Aromatic Vein), Poor Bloodstone Ore (Small Bloodstone Deposit)
This part, probably because the initial one was simple, on the contrary, it is complex, the necessary ore comes across less often. Regardless of the faction, the most simple option looks like a trip to the Swamp region, there, in the Cave of Telgen (next to the entrance to Dun Algaz) there are huge deposits of Ognevite ore. The ore is a quest one, but it allows you to raise the skill without any problems. In addition, the time for the appearance of veins is quite short.
An alternative would be Poor Blood Ore, which is mined in the Arathi Highlands. A small bloodstone deposit is found only in a cave with kobolds, not far from the Horde settlement Hammerfall.

* at skill level 125 we go to the trainer and learn Mining (Craftsman)

Mining 126 - 175
We collect: Iron ore(Iron Deposit) and Gold Ore (Gold Mine)
Both of these minerals are often found in the Arathi Highlands, especially if you drive in circles "on the edge" of the map. In addition to this location, you can turn your eyes to the Thousand Needles, northern Stranglethorn and the Badlands. We recommend Arathi Highlands, but to each his own.

Mining 176 - 250
Collect: Mithril Ore (Mithril Deposit) and Truesilver Ore (Truesilver Deposit)
The Hinterlands are ideal for collecting these ores. Since ancient times, Tanaris has been considered a rich Mithril region, where, by the way, True Silver Deposits are also found. Mithril is found in large quantities in the Badlands, but it is far away. The choice, as always, is yours.

* at skill level 200 we go to the trainer and learn Mining (Workshop)

Mining 251 - 300
Collect: Thorium Ore (Small Thorium Vein, Rich Thorium Vein)
First, you should visit the Crater Un "Goro and rummage there until the skill level reaches 275, after which you can safely go to Winter Springs and finish the profession up to 300 there. However, you can start right away in Winter Springs, but drive past the Rich Thorium Veins without the possibility of them digging will be very difficult.

* at skill level 275 we go to the trainer and learn Mining (Master)

Mining 300 - 325
Collect: Fel Iron (Fel Iron Deposit)
Found throughout Outland, but easier to dig in Hellfire Peninsula, Zangarmarsh, or Terrokar Forest. There are no definite routes, especially for people with land mounts - where we see, we rummage there.

Mining 325-375
Gather: Adamantite Ore (Adamantite Deposit, Rich Adamantite Deposit), Fel Iron (Fel Iron Deposit), Khorium Ore (Khorium Vein)
Many people think that the best place to dig Adamantite Ore is Nagrand. I won't argue, it's true. However, before raising the skill level to 350, I would advise you to go to the Netherstorm (often comes across Fel Iron and Adamantite), and only after 350 to Nagrand, although you can stay in the Netherstorm. The choice is yours - in terms of the total number of deposits and deposits Nagrand is in the lead, on the other hand, there are fewer competitors in Netherstorm, so if you're lucky, save thirty minutes.

* at skill level 350 go to the trainer and learn Mining (Grand Master)

Mining 375-400
Gathering: Cobalt Ore (Cobalt Deposits, Rich Cobalt Deposits)
We collect ore starting from the WotLK starting zones - Borean Tundra and Roaring Fjord and ending with Zul "Drak (the richest location on Cobalt Deposits in the game). As you level up your character, you will easily reach profession level 400. If you are level 80 and swing from scratch - your choice: 260% mount and Zul "Drak.

Mining 400-450
Gathering: Saronite Ore (Saronite Deposit, Rich Saronite Deposit)
I will not reveal the secret if I say - the best place for the search for Saronite deposits - the Sholozar Lowland. A bunch of competitors, fights for the right to dig another portion of ore and running from the cemetery in this location is a familiar and everyday thing. However, there is so much ore that there is still enough for everyone. Works for an hour at most, regardless of whether you have a flying mount or not.

In the bowels of the earth there are quite a large number of various minerals that can be used to produce various materials. Copper ore is quite widespread - it is used for processing and obtaining various substances that are applicable in industry. It should be borne in mind that in such an ore, which contains copper, other minerals may also be present. It is recommended to use earthen rock, which includes at least 0.5-1% of the metal.

Classification

Mining is easy huge amount variety of copper ores. The classification is based on their origin. The following groups of copper ores are distinguished:

  1. Pyrite has become quite widespread. The rock is represented by a combination of iron and copper, has a large number of various inclusions and veins of other impurities.
  2. Stratiform is represented by a combination of copper shales and sandstones. This kind of breed has also become widespread, as it is represented large deposit. The main characteristics can be called a simple reservoir form, as well as a uniform distribution of all useful components. Due to this, copper rock of this type is most in demand, as it allows you to ensure productivity at the same level.
  3. Copper-nickel. This ore is characterized by massive interspersed textures of cobalt and gold, as well as platinoids. The deposits are in vein and reservoir form.
  4. Porphyry copper or hydrothermal. Copper ore deposits of this kind contain a large concentration of silver and gold, selenium and other chemical substances. In addition, all useful substances are in a higher concentration, due to which the breed is in demand. It is extremely rare.
  5. Carbonate. This group includes iron-copper and carbonatite ore. It should be borne in mind that this breed was found only in South Africa. The developed mine belongs to massive alkaline rocks.
  6. Skarnova - a group that is characterized by a local location in a variety of rocks. Characteristic properties can be called small size and complex morphology. It should be borne in mind that in this case, the ore containing copper has a high concentration. However, the metal is unevenly distributed. Mined rocks have a copper concentration of about three percent.

Copper is practically not found, for example, like gold, in the form of massive nuggets. The largest similar education the deposit can be named North America, whose mass is 420 tons. With 250 types of copper, only 20 of them are widely used in pure form, others are used only as alloying elements.

Deposits of copper ores

Copper is considered the most common metal used in a wide variety of industries. Deposits of copper ore are found in almost all countries. An example is the discovery of a field in Arizona and Nevada. Copper ore is also mined in Cuba, where oxide deposits are common. Chloride formations are mined in Peru.

The use of the extracted copper mixture is associated with the production of various metals. There are two main copper production technologies:

  1. hydrometallurgical;
  2. pyrometallurgical.

The second method involves fire refining of the metal. Due to this, the ore can be processed in almost any volume. In addition, the effect of fire makes it possible to isolate almost all useful substances from the rock. Pyrometallurgical technology is used to isolate copper from rock that has a low degree of metal enrichment. The hydrometallurgical method is used exclusively for processing oxidized and native rocks, which also have a low concentration of copper.

In conclusion, we note that today copper is included in almost all alloys. Its addition as an alloying element allows you to change the basic performance.