The Bitfarms mining company has been publicly pointed out for causing noise pollution.
An investigation would have discovered that Bitfarms also committed administrative irregularities.
Paraguay has established itself as an attractive destination for cryptoactive mining, thanks to its abundant hydroelectric energy and its low rates. However, this situation has come with a social cost paid by residents in areas near mining farms. In the Santa Lucía neighborhood, in Villarrica – three hours from the capital, Asunción – the neighbors must support the impact of the constant noise generated by one of the largest Bitcoin (BTC) miners in the country.
Neighbors like Irene Brizuela, who lives a few 200 meters from the farm operated by Bitfarms, report how The constant buzzing of the teams has seriously affected the quality of life of their families.
In the case of Irene, the noise triggered episodes of crisis in her little son, diagnosed with nonverbal autistic spectrum disorder. Other neighbors, such as the accountant José Luis Figueredo, describe the sensation as “having a truck in the house.”
«There comes a time when your mental health is very affected. I thought: ‘I’m going to throw a pump through the column and that the entire electric laying falls’ … it affected me a lot. My fear was to depend on a medicine to rest, ”confesses José Luis.
The psychologist and director of the Mental Health Department of the Regional Hospital of Villarrica, Luz Aranda, also lives nearby and describes the experience as “a form of submission and psychological abuse.” «I woke up at two in the morning, I cried and felt a lot of helplessness, a lot of anger. I wanted to break something, ”he says.
The main source of discomfort are fans and extractors in charge of cooling the thousands of ASIC equipment used in Bitcoin mining and other cryptocurrencies to validate transactions and ensure the network, consuming huge amounts of electricity. According to a report 2024 of bitfarms, The farm in Villarrica operates with about 16,200 teamswhich in six months demand energy equivalent to annual consumption of almost 47,500 homes.
The official measurements made by the Municipality of Villarrica They revealed noise levels that exceed the 70 decibels allowed for urban areaswith peaks of up to 75 decibels during the day, well above the limits recommended by the World Health Organization for Welfare and Night Rest. Permanent noise has caused symptoms such as stress, irritability and sleep disorders.
This situation led to the Prosecutor’s Office to impute those responsible for bitfarms for harmful noise pollution. Thanks to this investigation, it transpired that irregularities are not limited to environmental impact, but also cover administrative deficiencies, since the company obtained permits to operate in a residential area, with homes less than 50 meters – including local regulations.
The case of Santa Lucía reveals a scenario of great impact: The rapid expansion of cryptocurrency mining in Paraguay has been possible thanks to the abundant hydroelectric energymainly generated by the Itaipú dam, which supplies renewable and clean electricity.
The surplus of energy that feeds these operations is marketed at subsidized prices, thus attracting millionaire investments. However, this model has also caused social controversies.
In 2024, the mining sector hired state energy equivalent to the consumption of a city of more than 750,000 inhabitants, in a territory with just over six million people.
Bitfarms, a mining company that lies in international bags, obtained in 2024 revenues for more than 190 million dollars, a significant part generated in Paraguay. However, its work presence in the country is limited, which questions its direct contribution to local development.
Meanwhile, the affected neighbors continue to fight. The neighborhood commission of the Santa Lucía neighborhood has publicly denounced the noise pollution and the apparent complicity of the municipal authorities, which, despite having evidence of the infractions, did not take decisive measures on time.
According to an extensive investigation Published by El País, mediation attempts to reduce noise have been insufficient, and the situation continues to cause discomfort and affecting the health of neighbors.
The truth is that companies dedicated to cryptocurrency mining do not seem to lend much importance to the social tensions that generate their operations, since to date they continue to see Paraguay as an economic opportunity. As cryptootics reported, companies like Hive consider that The country offers clean energy, low costs, a flexible regulatory environment and a young workforce.
