How to Mine ORE on Solana: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

In the fast-evolving world of blockchain, Proof of Work (PoW) is making a surprising comeback — not on Bitcoin’s network, but on Solana. Enter ORE, a decentralized, community-driven PoW token that anyone can mine using just a laptop, phone, or home computer. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about mining ORE, from its origins and technical foundation to step-by-step instructions using both web apps and command-line tools.

Whether you're new to crypto mining or looking to explore Solana’s ecosystem, this article delivers practical insights, performance optimization tips, and a clear comparison between ORE and Bitcoin mining.

Understanding Proof of Work and Mining

Before diving into ORE, let’s revisit the roots of Proof of Work (PoW). Introduced by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 with Bitcoin, PoW is a consensus mechanism where miners compete to solve complex mathematical problems. The first to find a valid solution gets to add a new block to the blockchain and earns rewards in the form of cryptocurrency.

Each block contains a cryptographic hash — a 64-character hexadecimal number generated via the SHA-256 algorithm. Blocks are linked using the previous block’s hash, forming an immutable chain. If any data is altered, the hash changes, breaking the chain.

The network sets a target hash, and miners must find a hash value lower than or equal to it by adjusting a variable called the nonce. This process requires massive computational power, hence the term work. Once solved, the miner broadcasts the result, and other nodes verify it quickly — achieving consensus efficiently.

Bitcoin adjusts mining difficulty every 2,016 blocks (~two weeks) to maintain a steady block time of about 10 minutes. With a fixed supply of 21 million BTC, mining will continue until around 2140.

Introducing ORE: PoW on Solana

Unlike Bitcoin, ORE operates on the Solana blockchain as a program (smart contract), enabling accessible PoW mining without specialized hardware. Originally launched in April 2024, ORE caused significant congestion on Solana due to spam transactions from automated miners. In response, creator Hardhat Chad paused mining and later released Ore v2 in August 2025 — bringing major improvements.

Key Upgrades in Ore v2

DrillX Algorithm: A new CPU-based mining protocol resistant to manipulation, ensuring fairness across devices.
Staking Incentives: Miners earn higher rewards by staking ORE, encouraging long-term holding over immediate selling.
Fixed Supply: Like Bitcoin, ORE has a capped supply of 21 million tokens, with only ~1 token mined per minute — projected to be fully mined by 2064.

👉 Discover how ORE is reshaping decentralized mining on Solana.

These changes aim to create a more sustainable and equitable mining environment while reducing network spam.

What Is Hashpower?

Hashpower refers to your device’s computational speed, measured in hashes per second. Higher hashpower increases your chances of solving the mining puzzle first.

Since ORE uses the DrillX algorithm, performance depends heavily on your CPU’s core count. More cores mean faster parallel processing, giving multi-core processors an edge.

You can benchmark your device using:

ore benchmark

Or check your performance directly on the ORE website. For example, a mid-tier laptop might achieve ~600 hashes per minute — enough to participate but not dominate.

How to Mine ORE: Two Methods Compared

You can mine ORE via either a web application or command-line interface (CLI). Both methods are valid, but they differ in control and flexibility.

Web App Mining (Beginner-Friendly)

Ideal for newcomers, the ORE web app simplifies setup:

Visit ore.supply and connect your wallet (e.g., Backpack, Phantom).
Click “Create Account” and sign the transaction.
- If you see a "timeout" error, retry — it means the transaction wasn’t processed in time.
Mining starts automatically once your account is created.
When a valid hash is found, approve the transaction prompt immediately.
Check your balance under “Home” and click “Claim” to withdraw rewards.
Monitor activity via the “Profile” tab.

While easy to use, the web app offers limited customization and relies on default network settings.

CLI Mining (Advanced Control)

For greater performance and configuration options, use the Ore CLI. This method gives full access to hardware resources, custom RPC endpoints, and priority fees.

Prerequisites

Verify installation:

rustc --version && cargo --version && solana --version

Installation Steps

On Windows:

# Install Rust
Invoke-WebRequest https://win.rustup.rs -OutFile rustup-init.exe
.\rustup-init.exe

# Install Solana CLI
cmd /c "curl https://release.solana.com/v1.18.18/solana-install-init-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc.exe --output C:\solana-install-tmp\solana-install-init.exe --create-dirs"
C:\solana-install-tmp\solana-install-init.exe v1.18.18

On macOS/Linux:

# Install Rust
curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh

# Install Solana CLI
sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.solana.com/v1.18.18/install)"

Then install ORE CLI:

cargo install ore-cli

Configure Network

Switch to Solana Mainnet:

solana config set --url https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com

For better performance, use a premium RPC like Helius:

solana config set --url "https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"

Set Up Wallet

Generate a new keypair:

solana-keygen new

Get your wallet address:

solana address

Fund it with SOL for transaction fees (a few cents suffice). Check balance:

solana balance

Start Mining

Basic command:

ore mine

Advanced Configuration

Enhance performance with flags:

Custom RPC:

ore mine --rpc "https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"

Priority Fee (default: 500,000 microLAMPORTs):
```
ore mine --priority-fee 1000000
```

Dynamic Fee Estimation:

ore mine --dynamic-fee-url "https://api.helius.dev/v0/transactions/fee-estimate"

Custom Keypair:
```
ore mine --keypair /path/to/id.json
```

Use a config.yml file for persistent settings:

json_rpc_url: https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_KEY
keypair_path: /Users/you/.config/solana/id.json
priority_fee: 1000000

Then run:

ore mine --config ./config.yml

Claiming Rewards

All mined ORE is automatically staked. To claim:

ore claim

To stake existing balance:

ore stake

Keep your CLI updated:

cargo install ore-cli

Check version:

ore -V

For help:

ore help

👉 Maximize your mining efficiency with advanced tools and real-time data.

ORE vs Bitcoin Mining: Key Differences

Feature	Bitcoin Mining	ORE Mining
Hardware	ASICs required	CPU-based (laptops OK)
Energy Consumption	Very high	Low
Accessibility	Limited to large operators	Open to anyone
Consensus Role	Secures blockchain	No security role; gamified PoW
Reward Mechanism	Block rewards + fees	Fixed supply with staking boost

While Bitcoin mining secures its network, ORE is more of a community experiment — proving that fair, accessible PoW can thrive even on high-speed chains like Solana.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is ORE mining profitable?

Currently, profitability depends on your hardware and electricity costs. With low barriers to entry, many users mine for fun or community participation rather than profit. Staking increases rewards, making long-term involvement more attractive.

Can I mine ORE on a phone or tablet?

Yes! The DrillX algorithm is optimized for CPUs, so even mobile devices can participate. However, hash rates will be much lower compared to desktops or laptops with multi-core processors.

Why does ORE use staking?

Staking discourages immediate selling ("claim and dump") by increasing mining rewards for stakers. This creates organic demand and promotes token stability.

Do I need SOL to mine ORE?

Yes. You need a small amount of SOL to pay for transaction fees when creating your mining account and claiming rewards.

Is ORE mining safe?

Yes — as long as you use official tools and protect your wallet keys. Never share your seed phrase or private keys.

What happens if I stop mining?

Your progress resets only if you delete your account. Otherwise, your accumulated stake remains intact, and you can resume mining anytime.

Final Thoughts

ORE brings a nostalgic yet innovative twist to modern blockchain — reviving Proof of Work in a way that’s inclusive, transparent, and fun. With DrillX, staking incentives, and support for everyday devices, it opens mining to a broader audience than ever before.

Whether you choose the simplicity of the web app or the power of CLI, you’re participating in one of Solana’s most engaging community projects.

Stay updated by following Hardhat Chad and @OREsupply. And if you're ready to take your crypto journey further...

👉 Explore top-tier trading and analytics tools to track your digital assets effectively.