Meet the Modern Miners

The good people of Motherboard gained access to a massive, secretive Bitcoin mine that is said to make 4050 bitcoins a month, which converts to some 800,000 Euro at the current rate. The mine consists of 3,000 computers specifically build to mine for bitcoins and is based in a re-purposed factory in rural northeast China.

In the summer months, the temperature inside is over 35 degrees Celsius and a persistent, nagging buzz is always present due to the industrial fans required to maintain a steady temperature. Despite its dystopian appearance, the mine workers actually live inside the facility itself, returning home just four or five days a month. They prefer their work over alternative employment opportunities available to them.

The images from the Bitcoin mine remind us once more that our so-called virtual World is enabled by actual dust, heat and sweat. If you have traded in Bitcoins recently this video is a must watch.

Via Motherboard