In order to start, you will need the following:
1) Mining Skill. You can get this by going to your local mining trainer and getting trained.
The following are the mining trainers and their locations:
Gelman Stonehand: Stormwind, western end of Dwarven District. (Alliance Trainer)
Kurdram Stonehammer: An Alliance Trainer who may be found in Darkshore, in the north Auberdine area.
Matt Johnson: Duskwood, in the north section of Darkshire. (Alliance Trainer)
Brock Stoneseeker: Loch Modan, Southwest part of Thelsamar. (Alliance Trainer)
Brom Killian: A Horde Trainer who may be found in Undercity, South of the bridge leading to the War Quarter.
Geofram Bouldertoe: An Alliance Trainer who may be found in Deepmountain Mining Guild in Ironforge.
Makaru: Orgrimmar, center of the valley of honor. (Horde Trainer)
Brek Stonehoof: Thunder Bluff, western edge of the center plateau. (Horde Trainer)
Yarr Hammerstone: Dun Morogh, eastern edge of Kharanos. (Alliance Trainer)
Dank Drizzlecut: Dun Morogh, north of Gol’bolbar Quarry. (Alliance Trainer)
2) Mining Pick - Other than the glow it produces when used as a normal weapon, it is also important that you note it as an enchanted object.
3) Gloves (optional but recommended). Get the cheapest gloves you can find and enchant them with 5 mining skill. This won’t cost you more than 2 gold.
The 5 mining will not affect your chances of getting a crystal, but it will decrease your odds of a failed attempt.
Engineers Note: A 5 will be added to your mining skill if you make a Goblin Mining Helmet.
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Read up on the skill requirements Vein Type:
* Copper 1
* Tin 65
* Incendicite 65
* Silver 75
* Lesser Bloodstone 75
* Iron 125
* Indurium 150
* Gold 155
* Mithril 175
* Dark Iron 230
* Truesilver 230
* Small Thorium 250
* Rich Thorium 275
And here goes the skill requirements for each type of ore:
* Copper 1
* Tin 65
* Bronze 65
* Silver 75
* Iron 125
* Gold 155
* Steel 165
* Mithril 175
* Truesilver 230
* Dark Iron 230
* Thorium 250
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Mining 1-65
World of Warcraft Mining Guide - Copper mining
I think that mining approximately 50 copper than smelt would be best. Since this part or segment is rich in copper, you may also use any of the following mining routes or you may even invent your own!
World of Warcraft Mining Locations:
* Alterac Mountains
* Ashenvale
* Darkshore
* Desolace
* Dun Morogh
* Durotar
* Duskwood
* Elwynn Forest
* Hillsbrad Foothills
* Loch Modan
* Mulgore
* Redridge Mountains
* Silverpine Forest
* Stonetalon Mountains
* The Barrens
* Thousand Needles, Tirisfal Glades, Westfall, and Wetlands
Horde
- Tauren: Mulgore: After simply choosing whichever starting point you would like to take, follow the cliffs all the way around. Remember to take a look at the Venture Co mine. About 40-50 copper is in store for you on this run.
- Orc and Troll: Completing whole circuits of Durotar would be the simple method. However, with so much copper lying around, you may find it more exciting to begin the quest at Razor Hill and move toward the west to the Quilboar grounds. Once you reach the river, travel towards the north until you reach Orgrimmar. From there, travel towards the east until you come across a small farmstead. Once you do, move south and plunge into the canyon. Follow the canyon out, you’ll reach Razor Hill again if you just travel towards the south east. About 25-30 copper ores is about how much you’ll have by the end of this.
- Undead: Once you reach the entrance of DeathKnell, go South and follow the cliffs on the way, then past Undercity, and up the bulwark. Afterwards, head up North to Scarlet monastery, hugging the cliffs as you move. Go west upon reaching the coast, and then start moving South following the cliffs down to Agamand Mills. Then, follow the hills down South once again going back to the entrance of Deathknell. You’d probably earn between 30-40 copper ore on this run.
Alliance
- Night elves: Since no ores are available at Darnassus, you must go to Darkshore. Start from Auberdine then go east until you reach the cliffs which are found on top of the map. From there, you must move southwards, hugging the cliffs as you go along.Upon arriving at the entrance of Ashenvale, go westward to the coast, and then go north again, back to Auberdine. From there move towards the east like before, except this time when you reach the cliffs, head towards the north, and follow the cliffs around the coast moving towards the south again to Auberdine. If you notice, you will be making a figure 8 pattern. It is also a simpler route than taking Auberdine in one whole route. Another 40-50 copper ores are in store for you from this run.
Dwarves and Gnomes: Copper is abundant in almost all places, which is why you don’t really need a route to follow here.
- Human: From Goldshire, head east to the north of Crystal Lake. Upon arrival at the north of the logging camp, go south. Follow the river to the Duskwood and Elwyn forest border, then move northwest back to Goldshire. Visit at least 2 mines on this run will get you about 30-40 copper ores.