What one pay-dirt turns into
Every pay-dirt gives 60 Mining xp when you mine it. Cleaning it in the hopper then gives a second, smaller chunk of xp based on the ore inside: 15 for coal or gold ore, 30 for mithril, 45 for adamantite and 75 for runite. The ore is decided at the moment you mine the pay-dirt, not when it is cleaned, so a visible boost has to be active at the vein to count.
The ore mix shifts towards better ores as your level rises. These are the approximate chances per pay-dirt at the level each ore unlocks and at 99:
| Ore | Level | Chance when unlocked | Chance at 99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | 30 | 96.9% | 24.6% |
| Gold ore | 40 | 10.2% | 24.2% |
| Mithril ore | 55 | 15.9% | 26.9% |
| Adamantite ore | 70 | 3.8% | 18.8% |
| Runite ore | 85 | 0.76% | 2.3% |
Golden nuggets sit outside that table: every pay-dirt has a flat 1 in 32 chance of a nugget, whatever your level. The elite Falador Diary nudges the mix up by roughly 1% runite, 2% adamantite and 1% mithril.
That shift is where the money is. Below 70 most of your value is coal and the odd gold ore, so profit per hour is modest. Adamantite at 70 and runite at 85 are what push the mine into proper money territory, and the gp per hour column in the tool climbs sharply once you pass them.
Upper level or lower level
The upper level needs 57 Mining (it used to be 72 before the May 2024 changes) and a one-off 100 nuggets paid to Prospector Percy. Veins there run on a timer of about 36 to 40 seconds once someone starts them, against 23 to 27 seconds downstairs, so you can share a vein without losing it and spend less time hunting for a free one. Unlock it the moment you hit 57. A further 50 nuggets buys the upstairs hopper so you do not have to climb down to deposit.
Spending nuggets, and how long they take
At 1 nugget per 32 pay-dirt on average, every unlock has a predictable price in pay-dirt:
| Unlock | Nuggets | Average pay-dirt |
|---|---|---|
| Upper level | 100 | 3,200 |
| Upstairs hopper | 50 | 1,600 |
| Prospector outfit (4 pieces) | 180 | 5,760 |
| Coal bag | 100 | 3,200 |
| Gem bag | 100 | 3,200 |
| Larger sack (108 to 189) | 200 | 6,400 |
The prospector outfit gives 2.5% bonus Mining xp with all four pieces. Buy them in order of bonus per nugget: jacket (60), legs (50), helmet (40), then boots (30). The coal bag is the pick if Smithing training is also on your list, and the bigger sack is a quality of life purchase you can leave until last.
Realistic rates
Motherlode is not the fastest Mining xp in the game. It is popular because it is low effort, costs nothing and pays a steady trickle of ore. With a dragon pickaxe and the upper level you can expect around 45,000 xp an hour in the early 60s, rising to the low 60,000s at 99. Your pickaxe matters, so check the dragon pickaxe price if you are still on rune. For faster but more intense options, compare it with the methods in our Mining training guide or the Mining calculator.
Small things that cost you xp
- Pay-dirt cannot be banked. Fill the sack, empty it, bank, repeat.
- The water wheels break now and then. A hammer from the crates fixes the struts and gives a little Smithing xp.
- Rockfalls block paths and hit for 1 to 4. Keep a pickaxe on you to clear them.
- Varrock armour does not double ore from pay-dirt, so do not wear it for that.