Mining Sandstone in OSRS: Maximize Your Profits and XP

Why would anyone want to mine sandstone in Old School RuneScape (OSRS)? For a lot of players, the allure of mining gold or high-level ores is strong, but if you're focusing on both experience (XP) and profit, sandstone can actually offer a surprisingly compelling option. While sandstone is generally considered a material for producing glass items, it holds hidden potential as a significant resource in OSRS.

In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into everything you need to know about mining sandstone. Whether you're chasing high XP per hour, aiming for profit, or just want to optimize your gathering process, we'll cover it all. So why not maximize your potential by adding sandstone mining to your OSRS skill-training routine?

Why Sandstone? A Hidden Gem in OSRS Mining

At first glance, mining sandstone might not seem like the most efficient way to make money or gain XP in OSRS. However, the unique properties of sandstone make it more appealing than you'd expect. Sandstone can be used to create Molten Glass, a key ingredient in Crafting, and, with the right method, you can convert this into Buckets of Sand for a steady flow of XP and profit.

The key here is that mining sandstone is much faster than higher-level ores, and with fewer competitors mining alongside you, it becomes a more reliable and consistent option.

What Makes Sandstone Valuable?

The big draw for sandstone miners is the efficient XP rate and the access to endless supplies of sand for crafting Molten Glass, which is key for power-leveling Crafting. You can sell the sand, use it for crafting, or simply enjoy the constant flow of materials you wouldn't get from higher-level ores like iron or coal.

This resource can also be used to speed up Crafting training in ways many players overlook. With over four different sizes of sandstone to mine (ranging from 1kg to 5kg), the randomness actually works in your favor if you know how to manipulate it. But let’s first look at how you should mine it.

Best Places to Mine Sandstone

Khum Desert Quarry is the go-to spot for mining sandstone in OSRS. Located just south of the Enakhra's Temple, this spot is famous for its dense concentration of sandstone rocks. With a high respawn rate, the Khum Desert Quarry offers players a fast-paced, low-effort grind, ideal for banking XP while gathering materials.

Key Location:

• Khum Desert Quarry: Located in the desert south of Enakhra's Temple and west of the Bandit Camp, this area is packed with rocks that will yield plenty of sandstone. It's one of the few places where you can find these dense rocks, making it optimal for farming.

You'll want to bring waterskins or wear Desert Robes to prevent dehydration. It's also helpful to have an Enchanted Water Tiara if you want to minimize your inventory clutter. Alternatively, using the Humidify spell is another way to stay hydrated.

The Best Setup for Mining Sandstone

The ideal gear setup can make or break your efficiency when mining sandstone. Here’s a breakdown of the items you should focus on:

• Pickaxe: Always use the highest-tier pickaxe available. If you can, wield a Dragon Pickaxe for its superior mining speed.
• Desert Clothing: Since you'll be mining in the desert, wear Desert Robes or an Enchanted Water Tiara to reduce the need for waterskins.
• Graceful Outfit: If possible, use the Graceful Outfit to reduce your weight and keep your energy replenished for faster mining.
• Teleportation Options: A Ring of Dueling or Amulet of Glory will make it easy to teleport back and forth from a bank to deposit your sandstone and return to the quarry without losing too much time.

Inventory Setup:

Given that you’ll be mining in the desert, you’ll want to bring Waterskins (if not using the Enchanted Water Tiara) and some Stamina Potions. Your inventory should be as light as possible to maintain high efficiency, and having a teleport item like a Ring of Dueling is highly recommended.

Pro tip: If you're using the Sandstorm Machine, located at the western edge of the quarry, you won’t need to bank as often, as you can store your sandstone directly into the machine, which will automatically convert it into Buckets of Sand.

How to Maximize XP and Profit

Mining sandstone can yield surprisingly high XP rates. Depending on your mining level and gear, you can expect to achieve anywhere from 50k to 70k mining XP per hour. Here’s a breakdown of how to maximize both your XP and profit while mining sandstone:

XP Focus:

To focus purely on XP:

• Mine without Banking: Constantly mine the sandstone rocks and drop any sandstone as you go. This will keep your inventory clear and maximize the amount of XP you gain per hour.
• Power Mining: Since sandstone is a low-value item, mining and dropping the stone can allow you to focus entirely on gaining XP quickly.
• Gear for XP: The higher your mining speed, the better your XP rates will be. Always prioritize wearing lightweight gear like Graceful and using the best pickaxe available to you.

Profit Focus:

If you’re more interested in making money while mining sandstone, you’ll need to focus on the Buckets of Sand you can generate.

• Use the Sandstorm Machine: Deposit your sandstone into the Sandstorm Machine to convert it into Buckets of Sand. You can collect your buckets later on, which can then be sold or used for crafting. Each bucket of sand can sell for a decent profit, and crafting Molten Glass offers excellent crafting XP.
• Bank Your Sandstone: After mining a full inventory, teleport to a bank, deposit your sandstone, and repeat the process. While this reduces XP rates slightly, you’ll generate more sand for profit.

Best Methods for AFK Mining Sandstone

Many players are interested in mining methods that allow for some AFK (away from keyboard) play. While mining sandstone isn’t the most AFK-friendly method, there are ways to minimize the attention required:

• Use the Sandstorm Machine: As mentioned earlier, using the Sandstorm Machine allows you to store sandstone and collect sand over time, minimizing the need to bank.
• Low-Intensity Method: Stand by a single sandstone rock and mine it repeatedly without moving. This will slightly reduce your efficiency, but it allows you to AFK for short periods.

Tips and Tricks for Sandstone Mining Efficiency

• Avoid Peak Hours: Mining during off-peak times will reduce competition and allow you to mine more rocks without interruption.
• Use World Hopping: If the quarry is too crowded, consider hopping between worlds to find less-populated areas.
• Combine with Other Skills: Use this method in conjunction with Crafting by turning your sandstone into Molten Glass for double the efficiency.
• Be Prepared for the Desert Heat: Don’t underestimate the desert conditions—prepare for dehydration or risk a quick trip back to Lumbridge. Using the Enchanted Water Tiara is a significant quality-of-life improvement.

The Future of Sandstone in OSRS

With the ever-growing player base, new crafting methods, and potential updates, mining sandstone could become even more profitable or offer new ways to gain XP. The Bucket of Sand method has already seen a resurgence in popularity due to its usefulness in crafting training, and with the right conditions, it could see further improvements. OSRS developers are always adding new content and refining existing mechanics, meaning that sandstone mining might gain additional value in the future.

For now, it remains one of the most reliable ways to gain Mining XP while also generating resources that can be used for crafting. Whether you’re looking for a new method to push through the later levels of mining or simply want to gather resources for crafting, sandstone mining is a solid choice for any OSRS player.

Ready to start mining sandstone and level up your OSRS game? Gear up, head to the Khum Desert Quarry, and get started today.