Paraguayan law enforcement successfully disrupted a significant crypto mining theft operation near the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, resulting in one arrest and the deportation of three foreign nationals. On May 15, prosecutor Irene Rolón confirmed that four individuals had breached a restricted section of Teratech SA’s mining site in Coronel Bogado.

According to Rolón, the suspects were apprehended shortly after entering the secured area. Police acted swiftly, intercepting the group before they could carry out the planned heist. The suspects allegedly aimed to access the facility’s mining equipment and digital assets, taking advantage of the site’s proximity to the Itaipu dam, a critical source of low-cost electricity for crypto miners in Paraguay.

Three of the suspects — Chinese nationals Jinping Duan, Tian Jianyun, and Zheng Guanglong — were deported after authorities determined they had no official entry records. Investigators suspect that the trio may have entered Paraguay illegally, possibly crossing through neighboring Brazil or Bolivia.

The fourth suspect, Paraguayan national Nahun María Velázquez Garcete, was arrested and charged with aggravated theft. He is currently in pretrial detention and has been hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of his injuries, raising questions about whether he was injured during the arrest.

Law enforcement officials believe the suspects may have previously been connected to Teratech as independent contractors, a claim that has yet to be confirmed by the company’s management. Meanwhile, investigators are probing potential links between the group and other illegal mining operations in the region.

Energy-Rich Itaipu Dam Becomes Prime Target for Crypto Miners

The Itaipu hydroelectric dam, one of the world’s largest renewable energy facilities, has become a magnet for crypto miners due to its abundant power supply and low electricity costs. However, the site has also attracted criminal elements seeking to exploit these resources for illicit purposes.

Authorities have expressed growing concerns over security vulnerabilities at crypto mining facilities near the dam. The attempted theft at Teratech’s site highlights the increasing risk of criminal activity targeting mining operations in Paraguay’s energy-rich regions.

Bitcoin Mining’s Sustainable Energy Usage Reaches 52% as Miners Pivot Away from Coal

In related news, a recent study from Cambridge University has revealed that sustainable energy now powers 52.4% of Bitcoin mining operations globally, marking a notable increase from 37.6% in 2022.

According to the study, 42.6% of the sustainable energy mix comes from renewable sources such as wind and hydropower, while 9.8% is derived from nuclear energy. Meanwhile, the share of natural gas as a primary energy source has risen sharply to 38.2%, overtaking coal, which now accounts for just 8.9% of Bitcoin mining’s energy consumption.

The shift away from coal is particularly evident in the United States, where mining operations have increasingly embraced cleaner energy sources. The study attributes this trend to growing regulatory pressure and public scrutiny of the environmental impact of crypto mining.

However, as the U.S. moves toward greener mining practices, countries with less stringent regulations could become new hotspots for coal-powered mining operations, potentially undermining global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining.