The authorities of the Kemerovo region are considering an initiative to create Bitcoin mining farms on the coal enterprises' territories of the region. This was reported by Governor Ilya Seredyuk on June 24, 2025. The project aims to use coal to generate the electricity needed for cryptocurrency mining, which may become a new direction for the Kuzbass economy.
According to the governor, the project involves using coal resources to generate affordable electricity that will be directed to cryptocurrency mining, such as Bitcoin. This will allow offsetting the costs of digital asset mining through cheap energy. Additionally, the heat generated in the process of energy generation is planned to be used for agricultural needs, including greenhouse heating. The final decision on the project implementation will be made within a month after calculations at specific enterprises.
"We see the potential in using coal for the production of Bitcoins and other digital currencies. The project's goal is to slow down the decline in coal volumes in the area," said Ilya Seredyuk.
The initiative of the Kemerovo region authorities was supported by Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy. He called the project "a solution to the Kuzbass's long-standing problem" related to the region's dependence on coal exports and high logistical costs. Gorelkin emphasized that cryptocurrency mining smoothly aligns with the concept of deep coal processing development in the region. He also expressed confidence that the power plants for mining would be able to meet modern environmental standards, citing the experience of "clean coal thermal power plants" in other countries.
The project could be an important step toward diversifying the Kuzbass economy, traditionally focused on coal mining. Using coal for energy generation for mining will reduce the region's dependence on the volatility of global coal markets. Furthermore, using excess heat for agriculture can contribute to the development of the agricultural sector and increase energy efficiency.
However, implementing the project will require a thorough evaluation of environmental risks. Despite assurances of compliance with environmental standards, coal generation remains a source of emissions, which may raise concerns from environmental organizations. In this context, it is important to implement modern filtration and carbon capture technologies to minimize environmental impact.
Kuzbass is not the first region in Russia to consider mining as a promising direction. Previously, the Prime Minister of the Komi Republic, Dmitry Bryatyanko, announced plans to build one of the largest mining centers in the Syktyvdinsky district. This indicates a growing interest of Russian regions in the cryptocurrency industry as a way to leverage local resources and infrastructure.
The initiative of the Kemerovo region to create mining farms at coal pits may become an innovative solution for a region facing challenges in the coal industry. The project promises economic benefits, including reducing dependence on coal exports and developing new directions, such as agriculture. However, success will depend on a thorough consideration of environmental and economic aspects and the implementation of modern technologies. It is expected that over the next month, the region's authorities will present the results of their calculations and determine further steps for the project implementation.