Texas-based Bitcoin mining firm Giga Energy is making strategic moves in Argentina by converting flared natural gas into energy for cryptocurrency mining. Brent Whitehead, Giga’s co-founder, shared the company’s significant progress in a LinkedIn post.
Giga Energy’s Strategic Growth in Argentina
This initiative involves installing a large container housing thousands of Bitcoin mining rigs atop an oil well. Excess gas from the well is channeled to generators, which in turn supply power to the mining equipment. Co-founder Matt Lohstroh spoke to CNBC about the operational testing that began in December in Mendoza province, Argentina, revealing that the venture has already successfully mined Bitcoin worth up to $250,000.
Despite the promising start, Giga Energy is postponing full-scale operations until all necessary mining hardware is imported. Until then, the company does not anticipate making a profit. Notably, Argentina possesses substantial shale gas reserves, second only globally to China.
Bitcoin Mining and Environmental Impact
The company aims to simultaneously mine Bitcoin and reduce methane emissions. Whitehead highlighted Giga Energy’s role in mitigating global methane emissions by harnessing otherwise stranded natural gas for computing operations. Exa Tech is collaborating with Giga to manage field operations, while Phoenix Global Resources supplies the gas to energize the mining infrastructure.
Giga Energy’s adoption of flared gas for Bitcoin mining aligns with the industry’s preparations for the anticipated Bitcoin halving event, which will reduce mining rewards by half. Bitcoin mining outfits like Giga are adapting to the changing economic landscape as they anticipate the event’s impact on global mining activity.
