the process of cryptographically computing a mathematical proof for a block, containing a number of transactions, which is then added to the blockchain
Mining is the distributed process of confirming transactions on the public ledger of all transactions, aka @blockchain.Monero nodes use the blockchain to distinguish legitimate transactions from attempts to re-spend coins that have already been spent elsewhere.
Monero is powered strictly by Proof of Work. It employs a mining algorithm that has the potential to be efficiently tasked to billions of existing devices (any modern x86 CPU and many GPUs). Monero uses a variant of CryptoNight Proof of Work (PoW) algorithm, which is designed for use in ordinary CPUs and GPUs.
