Illegal Cryptocurrency Mining Operation in Libya Leads to Arrest of 50 Chinese Nationals

The Libyan attorney general’s office recently reported the arrest of 50 Chinese nationals who were engaged in an unauthorized bitcoin mining business in Zliten, Libya. The attorney general Siddiq Al-Sour released visual evidence, including images and videos, that showed the mining campus situated in the province of Tripoli’s eastern region. Ten other people connected to the operation had previously been seized two days prior to the 50 people being apprehended.

Concerns Raised by Libyan Authorities

The practice is illegal, according to the Libyan attorney general’s office, which also called attention to the usage of high-energy equipment that harness a sizable amount of resources for cryptocurrency mining. To evaluate the impact on the general interest, authorities are aggressively looking for specialists. The number of machines that have been demolished has not, however, been specified in detail.

According to reports, the mining devices confiscated during the operation were connected by a complicated web of cables to fans, high-voltage refrigerators, data servers, and digital conversion systems. The size and complexity of the illicit mining enterprise are evident from this arrangement.

Libya’s Attractive Energy Conditions

Libya’s exceptionally favorable energy circumstances continue to make the nation appealing to miners despite the country’s official ban on cryptocurrency mining. It is still a desirable place for setting up mining operations due to the extremely cheap power rates of just $0.004 per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is less than a U.S. cent. Surprisingly, despite the restriction, Libya had the greatest rate of Bitcoin creation across all of Africa in 2021.

The middleeasteye.net staff writers declared, “The mining systems included a matrix of wires connecting digital conversion systems, data servers, fans, and high-voltage refrigerators.”

Parallels with China’s Crypto Mining Ban

In May 2022, China, another nation where mining cryptocurrencies is prohibited, accounted for 20% of the world’s hashrate. Despite the laws prohibiting it, crypto mining operations continue in Libya and China, highlighting the difficulties authorities confront in entirely outlawing such enterprises.