Canadian mining farm operator faces fine $7.1 million – Bits Media

Alberta Public Utilities Commission (AUC) intends to fine $7.1 million operator of mining farms for BTC extraction for working without permission.

According to a CBC publication, Vancouver-based Link Global installed four gas generator power 1.25 MW in Sturgeon County. The generators received electricity from an inactive natural gas well., owned by Calgary-based MAGA Energy.

Link Global used a well to power Bitcoin mining devices without notifying neighbors, district or AUC, and installed electric generators without permission. According to the Commission, the company operated two more locations for cryptocurrency mining, one of which also did not meet AUC requirements.

Neighbors complained about the operation of one of the mining farms due to the high noise level, coming from objects. Authorities notified the company of non-compliance earlier this year, and stopped operating two facilities. However, each of the farms worked for more than a year.

The AUC intends to fine the operator of mining farms a total of $7.1 million, and proposed to impose two fines. The first is related to benefits., received in connection with illegal production of electricity ($2.1 million), and the second - with income from illegal BTC mining using this electricity ($5 million). The case will be decided 14 October.

Link Global is challenging the fines on the grounds that, that they do not reflect the company's actual financial statements. The firm is now moving its BTC mining operations to other locations in accordance with current regulations. Link Global CEO Stephen Jenkins (Stephen Jenkins) told local media:

"Link followed orders, published by AUC, and considers the Commission's actions excessive. I apologize to our shareholders.. We will work tirelessly, so that the outcome of this case is positive".

Recall, that an illegal home mining farm was recently closed in Ukraine, and in August, Polish police discovered an illegal mining farm in its own building.