Rusal Launches Cryptocurrency Mining at Aluminum Plants?

Rusal is starting the construction of mining farms at its plants in Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Territory, and Irkutsk Region. We are talking about data processing centers. The project aims to diversify the business and use reserve energy capacities.

Rusal has already purchased equipment for creating data centers at its sites. For example, it is planned to place data centers with 80 containers with a total capacity of up to 100 MW at the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Plant, and the completion of construction is scheduled for the end of 2025.

Experts interviewed by journalists believe that we are talking about mining farms, investments in which can amount to up to 20 billion rubles. Andrey Pavlov, CEO of Data Dom, is confident that classic data centers cannot be built in such a short time. According to his estimates, after the implementation of the projects, Rusal could become one of the largest mining enterprises in Russia with a capacity of 135 MW and potential annual revenue of up to 2.7 billion rubles.

32 block containers for mining with a capacity of 35 MW have already been ordered at the site in Khakassia. Georgy Malyshev, Commercial Director of GreenMDC, noted that these are specialized containers for mining that do not have uninterruptible power supply systems characteristic of traditional data centers.

According to Anastasia Vladimirova, Managing Partner of IPM Consulting, the total investment in the projects could range from 15 to 20 billion rubles. Mining will allow Rusal to effectively use excess electricity and receive a stable income.

Read also on the topic:

• The Ministry of Energy did not see grounds for new bans on mining

• The largest mining cluster will be created in Komi
• The number of mining farms in Russia increased by 7%