Mining 1–450: leveling up (WotLK)

How to quickly get Mining to 450 on WotLK 3.3.5a: ore by zone and why it is the foundation of Blacksmithing/Engineering/Jewelry.

Briefly

The miner extracts ore and stone, gives Toughness (+ stamina) and smelts ingots. Without it, expensive professions are ruinous.

Leveling up by segments and zones

1–65

• Copper - starting zones.

65–125

• Tin, Silver - Steppes/Ash Forest.

125–175

• Iron, Gold - Highlands/Stronglethorn.

175–250

• Mithril, Truesilver - Blasted Lands/Wastes.

250–300

• Thorium - Un'Goro/Burning Steppes.

300–375

• Fel Iron, Adamantite, Khorium - Outland (Zangar, Nagrand).

375–450

• Cobalt (Boreas), Saronite (Dragonblight, Zul'Drak), Titanium (rare) - Northrend.

Tips

• Smelt ore only for the required profession - otherwise you will lose material.
• Titanium goes for everything expensive: sell carefully, watch the price.

Summary

Mining pays for itself and feeds other “craft” professions.