Argo Blockchain to launch clean energy Bitcoin mining pool

Publicly-traded cryptocurrency mining firm Argo Blockchain will launch a Bitcoin (BTC) mining pool powered solely by clean energy, the company announced on March 26.

Argo has partnered with fellow eco-friendly mining firm DMG Blockchain to create Terra Pool — a Bitcoin mining pool consisting of a hash rate derived from both company’s hydroelectric power sources, which the firm claims is the first of is kind.

Argo Blockchain PLC is a United Kingdom-based mining company with three operational facilities in Canada set up to mine Bitcoin, and the privacy coin, Zcash (ZEC). The firm recently acquired a 320-acre plot of land in Texas, which it plans to use to expand its mining operations with an additional 200-megawatts of electrical power, also derived from renewable energy sources.

Chief Executive of Argo, Peter Wall, said making Bitcoin more green was a major priority, and urged other Bitcoin mining companies to follow suit:

“Addressing climate change is a priority for Argo and partnering with DMG to create the first ‘green’ Bitcoin mining pool is an important step towards protecting our planet now and for generations to come. We are hopeful other companies within the Bitcoin mining industry follow in our footsteps to demonstrate broader climate consciousness.”

Bitcoin’s energy usage rose to match the yearly consumption of the country of Chile last month, a fact that critics and skeptics are quick to point out. However, few think to level the same criticisms at a technology like the internet, which already uses more energy than Bitcoin, and like cryptocurrencies, has yet to expand to anything close to global usage.

“[DMG’s] focus on eco-friendly Bitcoin mining has the opportunity to drive transformations in how the Bitcoin mining community acts towards a climate-conscious future. DMG’s ongoing commitment to clean energy-based capital deployment is a key industry development,” said chief executive of DMG Dan Reitzik.