Due to the fact that Mining is a gathering skill, which feeds other professions materials for recipes (Blacksmithing, Engineering &Jewelcrafting), nearly all gathered material can provide a profit. There are some minerals which have a higher demand than others, therefore providing a speedy and consistent profit. Though, a higher demand often means more competition. Hopefully, this guide will help you determine which minerals to gather and sell based on time restrictions and possible profitability.
Northrend Minerals
All Northrend Minerals can help you profit, though it takes strategic Auction House placement as well as patience to profit this way. You should take advantage of using a 280%+ flying mount when farming in Northrend. If you do not have a flying mount, it is highly recommended that once you start bringing in a profit, you make your first purchase that of Artisan Riding and Cold Weather Flying (will cost you up to 6000g if you have Expert Riding). Having the ability to fly increases your profitability, making all gathering 280% quicker.
Timing Your Gathering
Farming throughout Northrend will be difficult when done at peak server times, this is when the highest population is active and a higher number of players are collecting minerals. Ideally, you will want to gather herbs during off-peak times: 2am to 2pm server time, during weekdays; weekends are the worst times to farm due to a more active population (weekend players, those not working or at school).
Profitable Product
Titanium Ore - Is Northrend’s most profitable mineral. Highly sought by Jewelcrafters trying to obtain Epic Gems through Prospecting. Also high in demand smelted in to Titanium Bars, Titanium Bars are used to make Titansteel Bars, which are used in all high-end dropped recipes (Ulduar, Trial of the Crusader).
Saronite Ore - Whether smelted or raw, Saronite is the prime ingredient used for leveling Blacksmithing,Engineering and Jewelcrafting in Wrath of the Lich King. Jewelcrafters require the Ore, which will be prospected for gems. Engineers and Blacksmiths will require the Ore smelted in to Bars.
Cobalt Ore - While the bars are used to craft various Engineering parts, Cobalt is the mineral with the least demand. The one plus side, is that it requires only a single piece of ore to make a bar, instead of two ore like other Northrend minerals. Selling this Ore in its smelted form will fetch the greatest profit.
Auction Placement
Timing is everything when you are trying to make maximum profit. When it comes to raw goods such as ore/bars, you want to make sure you catch people when they are leveing their professions. Most minerals that will be bought are likely to be used for leveling professions, therefore people usually stock up in the evenings during the week and on weekends. Be sure to place your auctions between 2pm and 9pm server time, Tuesday through Friday. It is also a good idea to place them for the minimum duration available (12 hours), so that you can update the pricing if you so happen to gain any competition in that time. Weekends are great times to profit due to the increase in active population, but you will have more competition, so place your auctions with caution.
Almost always, it is very difficult to gain a maximum profit on Sundays. Weekend players have gathered minerals and placed them by this day, there will be a mass amount of minerals, and many people will be undercutting, avoid placing auctions on Sundays.
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