Mining ETC: Getting Started

Mining Ethereum Classic lets you contribute to network security while earning ETC rewards. This guide covers the fundamentals of getting started with ETC mining.

What is Mining?

Mining is the process of using computer hardware to validate transactions and add new blocks to the blockchain. Miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, and the winner earns the block reward plus transaction fees.

On Ethereum Classic, mining:

Secures the network against attacks
Processes and validates transactions
Issues new ETC according to the fixed emission schedule
Maintains decentralization by distributing consensus

Mining Requirements

Hardware

You'll need either a GPU (graphics card) or ASIC miner:

GPUs: AMD and NVIDIA cards with at least 4GB VRAM
ASICs: Purpose-built mining machines for ETCHash

GPUs offer more flexibility while ASICs provide better efficiency. Check our hardware guide for specific recommendations.

Software

You'll need mining software compatible with ETCHash:

T-Rex: Popular for NVIDIA GPUs
lolMiner: Works with both AMD and NVIDIA
TeamRedMiner: Optimized for AMD GPUs
PhoenixMiner: Supports both GPU brands

ETC Wallet

You need a wallet address to receive mining rewards. Any ETC wallet works—we recommend MetaMask or a hardware wallet for security.

Mining Pool (Recommended)

Unless you have significant hashpower, joining a mining pool is essential. Pools combine hashrate from multiple miners for consistent payouts. You earn proportional to your contribution.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Prepare Your Hardware

Install or update GPU drivers (latest stable version)
Ensure adequate cooling—mining generates significant heat
Verify your power supply can handle the load
Check that GPU VRAM meets minimum requirements (4GB+)

2. Get a Wallet Address

Create a wallet if you don't have one
Copy your ETC address—this is where rewards go
Never share your private keys with anyone

3. Choose a Mining Pool

Select a pool based on:

Pool fee: Usually 0.5-2%
Minimum payout: Lower is better for smaller operations
Server location: Choose one near you for lower latency
Pool hashrate: Larger pools find blocks more frequently

Major ETC pools include:

F2Pool: Largest ETC pool, daily payouts, 0.1 ETC minimum
2Miners: Free ETC payouts, multiple payout options
K1Pool: Regional servers, competitive fees

4. Download Mining Software

Download your chosen miner from its official GitHub/website
Extract the files to a folder
Your antivirus may flag miners—add an exception if trusted

5. Configure the Miner

Create or edit the batch file (.bat on Windows, .sh on Linux) with:

Pool address and port
Your wallet address
Worker name (optional—helps identify rigs)
Any GPU-specific settings

Example configurations for popular miners (using F2Pool):

T-Rex (NVIDIA):

t-rex.exe -a etchash -o stratum+tcp://etc.f2pool.com:8118 -u ACCOUNT_NAME.RIG_NAME -p x

lolMiner (AMD/NVIDIA):

lolMiner.exe --algo ETCHASH --pool etc.f2pool.com:8118 --user ACCOUNT_NAME.RIG_NAME

TeamRedMiner (AMD):

teamredminer.exe -a etchash -o stratum+tcp://etc.f2pool.com:8118 -u ACCOUNT_NAME.RIG_NAME -p x

Note: F2Pool uses account-based mining. Replace ACCOUNT_NAME with your F2Pool account name. Other pools may use wallet address directly.

6. Start Mining

Run the batch file
Watch for “accepted” shares in the output
Check your pool dashboard with your wallet address
Monitor GPU temperatures (keep under 70-75°C)

Understanding Mining Output

Key metrics to watch:

Hashrate: Your mining speed in MH/s (megahashes per second)
Shares: Valid solutions submitted to the pool
Accepted/Rejected: Ratio of valid to invalid shares
Temperature: GPU heat level
Power: Energy consumption in watts

Calculating Profitability

Mining profitability depends on:

Hashrate: Higher = more earnings potential
Electricity cost: Your $/kWh rate
Power consumption: Watts used by your hardware
ETC price: Market value of rewards
Network difficulty: Changes based on total network hashrate

Use online mining calculators to estimate earnings. Input your hashrate and power cost to see projected returns.

Best Practices

Temperature Management

Keep GPUs under 70-75°C for longevity
Ensure good airflow in your mining area
Consider undervolting to reduce heat and power
Clean dust from hardware regularly

Stability

Avoid aggressive overclocks that cause crashes
Monitor for rejected shares—high rejection indicates issues
Set up auto-restart if miner crashes
Keep drivers updated but stable (avoid beta versions)

Security

Download miners only from official sources
Keep your wallet seed phrase secure
Consider a dedicated mining wallet separate from holdings

Next Steps

Once you're mining successfully:

Check our hardware guide to optimize your setup
Learn about pool vs solo mining tradeoffs
Calculate your actual profitability over time
Consider expanding your operation if profitable