Manual:Smithing (2001)

Mining ore

 * First locate a rocky outcrop, these are scattered at various points in the world.
 * Prospect the rock to determine what ore it contains by right clicking on it.
 * You will sometimes fail to find any ore in the rock, so examine it a few times.
 * If the rock contains no ore you will always fail to find anything.
 * Once you have located an ore, use a pickaxe with the rock to extract it.

Refining ore

 * Take your ore to the furnace to smelt it into a bar of metal.
 * There is a furnace in Lumbridge near the starting point.
 * Use copper and tin ore in the furnace to make a bar of bronze.
 * Use iron ore in the furnace to make a bar of iron.
 * As your smithing skill advances you will be able to smelt several other metals.

Forging weapons and armour

 * First you need at least 1 bar of metal and a hammer.
 * Go to the forge in Varrock, where there are 2 anvils.
 * Use the bar of metal with the anvil to make an item.
 * Large items require more than 1 bar of metal.
 * To start with you will only be able to make simple items like daggers.
 * With practice your ability will advance so you can make more expensive items.