In a hard fork, miners play a critical role in the decision-making process and the subsequent operation of the new blockchain. Miners are responsible for validating transactions, securing the network, and adding new blocks to the blockchain. When a hard fork occurs, miners have the power to choose which chain they want to support and mine on.

During a hard fork, miners must decide whether to continue mining on the original chain or switch to the new chain. This decision often depends on factors such as profitability, community support, technical improvements, and their own individual motivations. Miners who choose to mine on the new chain essentially become participants in creating a separate and independent blockchain.

Miners' support is crucial for the success of a hard fork. Their computational power and participation determine the security, stability, and viability of the new chain. The more miners that join the new chain, the more secure and resilient it becomes.

Furthermore, miners' support influences the distribution of mining power between the original chain and the new chain. This can have a significant impact on the mining rewards, block confirmation times, and overall network consensus.

In summary, miners play a pivotal role in a hard fork by deciding which chain to support and dedicating their computational resources to mine and secure the chosen chain. Their participation and consensus contribute to the success and sustainability of the newly forked blockchain.