How to Mine Ergo (ERG): A Beginner's Step-by-Step Roadmap

So, you've gone down the rabbit hole. You've learned about Ergo's commitment to Proof-of-Work, its fair launch, and its unique ASIC-resistant design that keeps the network in the hands of the community.

This has likely led you to an exciting and empowering question: "Can I actually participate in this with my own computer?"

The answer is a resounding yes. If you have a gaming PC with a decent graphics card (GPU), you have everything you need to start mining ERG. I'll be your guide and walk you through every step of the process, from setup
to your first payout.

Before You Start: The Mining Essentials

Mining isn't as complex as it sounds. At its core, you're just running a program that uses your GPU to help secure the Ergo network. In return, you get paid in ERG. Here’s what you'll need:

1. A Modern GPU: Any recent Nvidia or AMD graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM will work. The more powerful your GPU, the more you'll earn.
2. An Ergo Wallet: This is where your mining rewards will be sent.
3. Mining Software: A program that connects your GPU to the network.
4. A Mining Pool: A team of miners you'll join to earn consistent rewards.

Step 1: Get Your Ergo Wallet

First things first, you need a secure address to receive your earnings. We recommend using one of the official or community-vetted wallets from the Ergo Platform website.

Crucial Security Step: When you create your wallet, you will be given a "seed phrase" (a list of 12-24 words). Write this down and store it somewhere safe and offline. This is the only backup for your funds. Never share it with anyone.

Step 2: Choose Your Mining Software

This is the program that does the heavy lifting. There are several reputable options that work well for Ergo's Autolykos2 algorithm. Some of the most popular are:

• T-Rex Miner (for Nvidia GPUs)
• lolMiner (for AMD and Nvidia GPUs)
• NBminer (for AMD and Nvidia GPUs)

Download your chosen miner from its official GitHub page. Your browser might flag it as a virus—this is a common false positive for mining software.

Step 3: Join a Mining Pool

Mining solo is like trying to win the lottery. By joining a "mining pool," you combine your GPU's power with thousands of other miners. This allows you to find blocks much faster and receive small, consistent daily payouts.

A popular and well-regarded pool for Ergo is Nanopool.

Step 4: Configure Your Miner (The "Magic" Step)

This is the most technical part, but it's actually very simple. Inside the folder for the mining software you downloaded, you will find pre-made files ending in .bat. Find the one for Ergo.

Right-click on the ergo.bat file and select "Edit." It will open in Notepad. You will see a command line that looks something like this:

lolminer.exe --algo AUTOLYKOS2 --pool erg.nanopool.org:11111 --user YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.YOUR_WORKER_NAME

Now, just make two changes:

1. Replace YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS with the actual Ergo wallet address you created in Step 1.
2. Replace YOUR_WORKER_NAME with a simple name you'll recognize, like MyPC or GamingRig.

Here is an example of what it should look like:

lolminer.exe --algo AUTOLYKOS2 --pool erg.nanopool.org:11111 --user 9fJ2a...yX7bN1.MyPC

Once you start receiving your ERG rewards, you can manage, trade, or hold your assets in a secure and professional environment.

[For a full overview of the project you're now supporting, read our deep dive: What Is Ergo (ERG)?]

Ready to add a project with strong technical foundations to your portfolio? You can start acquiring ERG and be part of this innovative ecosystem.

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