1) Mining Skill. You can get this by going to your local mining trainer and getting trained.

The following is a list of mining trainers and their locations:

Gelman Stonehand: An Alliance Trainer who may be found in Stormwind, on the western end of Dwarven District.

Kurdram Stonehammer: Darkshore, north Auberdine area. (Alliance Trainer)

Matt Johnson: Duskwood, north section of Darkshire. (Alliance Trainer)

Brock Stoneseeker: Loch Modan, southwest part of Thelsamar. (Alliance Trainer)

Brom Killian: Undercity, south of the bridge leading to the War Quarter. (Horde Trainer)

Geofram Bouldertoe: Deepmountain Mining Guild in Ironforge. (Alliance Trainer)

Makaru: Orgrimmar, center of the valley of honor. (Horde Trainer)

Brek Stonehoof: A Horde Trainer who may be found in Thunder Bluff, Western edge of the center plateau.

Yarr Hammerstone: An Alliance Trainer who may be found in Dun Morogh, eastern edge of Kharanos.

Dank Drizzlecut: Dun Morogh, north of Gol'bolbar Quarry. (Alliance Trainer)

2) A mining pick. It is very important to note that this could become enchanted despite the fact that there's not much difference other than the glow it emits when it is equipped like a normal weapon. This doesn't make sense to me but some people find this really cool.

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.

For those who are curious, the 5 mining will not guarantee an improved potential of getting a crystal, but will, at least, increase your chances of not having a failed attempt.

Engineers Note: Making yourself a Goblin Mining helmet will add 5 to your mining skill.

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The following are the Vein Type skill requirements:

* 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

The following are the Ore Type skill requirements:

* Copper 1

* Tin 65

* Bronze 65

* Silver 75

* Iron 125

* Gold 155

* Steel 165

* Mithril 175

* Truesilver 230

* Dark Iron 230

* Thorium 250

Mining 1-65

World of Warcraft Mining Guide - Copper mining

It is recommended that you mine approximately 50 copper then smelt. Note that copper is abundant. You can invent your own mining route or you can make use of any of these:

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: Choose any starting point then follow the cliffs all the way around. Make sure you check out the Venture Co mine. This run should get you about 40-50 copper.

- Orc and Troll: Completing whole circuits of Durotar is an easy method, but copper is so abundant that you can still have a lot of fun by starting at Razor Hill, moving westward to the Quilboar grounds, hugging the cliff face until you reach the river, and then moving north until you reach Orgrimmar. After that, move east until you see a small farmstead, then go south and drop into the canyon. Following the canyon and heading southeast, you'll find yourself in Razor Hill again. You will have about 25-30 copper ores by the end of this run.

- Undead: From the entrance of DeathKnell, go south and stick to the cliffs past the Undercity and up the bulwark. Now, head north to Scarlet monastery, sticking to the cliffs as you go. Move westward once you reach the coast, then move southward and follow the cliffs to Agamand Mills. Now, follow those hills to the south to go back to the DeathKnell entrance. After that follow those hills south again back to the entrace of DeathKnell. You will have about 30-40 copper ores by the end of 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: Starting from Goldshire, head towards the east to the north of Crystal Lake. Once you arrive at the north of the logging camp, move towards the south and follow the river all the way to the border of Duskwood and Elwyn Forest. From there, move towards the northwest and go back to Goldshire. Visiting at least 2 mines on this trek can get you at least 30-40 copper ores.