# Gold Mining
**Gold Mining Quests** can be performed by up to six Heroes at a time in each realm. These quests award **Gold**, and can award other rare items.
> *Oi! Want to work those wee arms ya got? Grab a pickaxe! There's plenty o' shinies awaiting eager hands ta take them home!*
Gold Mining Quests are begun in the **Professions** zone by speaking to the **Miner** or **Pickman**, depending on the realm. Any Hero can attempt Gold Mining Quests, but Heroes with the **Mining profession gene** will use their Stamina more efficiently and have increased chances of item rewards. Successfully completing a Gold Mining Quest will grant each Hero a small amount of XP, and a chance toward increasing their **Mining skill**.
These quests also have a chance to reward Heroes with **Gaia's Tears**, **Runes**, and **Yellow Pet Eggs**. All of these items may be swapped at the Trader in the [Marketplace](/gameplay/locations/marketplace.md) for other tokens or items. Some items are also used as reagents in **Potions** and [Enhancement Stones](/gameplay/items/enhancement-stones.md), for hatching [Pets](/gameplay/pets.md), and for [leveling Heroes](/gameplay/heroes/leveling.md).
### **Mining Basics**
#### Duration per Stamina
12 minutes (10 with the **Mining profession gene**)
#### Stamina Required
1 Stamina minimum
#### Required Hero Range
1-6 Heroes
#### Minimum XP Reward
4 XP per Stamina spent + 8 XP per 5 Stamina spent
### **Gold Rewards**
The amount of **Gold** rewarded from **Gold Mining Quests** per Stamina spent is based on the Hero's **Strength** and **Endurance** stats, its **Mining skill,** and the presence of the **Mining profession gene**. Each Hero calculates Gold rewards independently, even when questing as a group.
### **Item Rewards**
{% hint style="info" %}
The item drop rates below are increased by varying combinations of the Hero's **Strength** and **Endurance** stats, its **Mining skill,** and the presence of the **Mining profession gene**.
{% endhint %}
| Name | Base Drop Rate | XP Awarded | Stamina Usage | |
|---|
 Gaia's Tear | 7.5% / 11.25% * | 10 XP | per 5 Stamina | |
 Shvās Rune | 0.3% / 1.5% * | 30 XP | per 5 Stamina | |
 Moksha Rune | 0.009% / 0.045% * | 100 XP | per 5 Stamina | |
 Yellow Pet Egg | 0.005% | 100 XP | per 10 Stamina |  |
\* The higher percentage applies to Heroes with the **Mining profession gene**.
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