After nearly a decade of persistence, James Howells has secured $11 million in funding to excavate 110,000 tons of waste in search of a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin.
James Howells, a 36-year-old former IT engineer from Wales, saw his life take an unexpected turn in 2013 when he accidentally discarded a hard drive holding thousands of Bitcoin.
“I had two identical hard drives in my drawer—one was empty, the other contained my Bitcoin. I meant to throw out the blank one but mistakenly tossed the wrong drive,” Howells explained. That hard drive, containing the private key to his Bitcoin, ended up in a landfill in Newport.
At today’s valuation, those 8,000 Bitcoin are worth approximately $181 million.
The Long Battle to Secure Permission
For years, Howells has tirelessly sought permission from Newport City Council to excavate the landfill, only to face rejection due to environmental and financial concerns. Undeterred, he has developed a comprehensive $11 million plan to persuade local authorities.
Acknowledging the daunting scale of the project, Howells has nonetheless secured backing from venture capitalists to fund the excavation. His timeline ranges from 18 months at a cost of $6 million to three years at the full $11 million, depending on the level of permission granted.
A High-Tech Approach to Waste Excavation
Howells has assembled an eight-member team of experts in AI, landfill excavation, waste management, and data recovery. Among them is a specialist who previously helped retrieve data from the black box of the Columbia space shuttle. The team will be contractually rewarded upon successful Bitcoin recovery.
His plan involves deploying cutting-edge machinery to dig through the landfill while a nearby facility sorts the waste. Humans will assist in the screening process, guided by Max-AI, an advanced robotic system that scans conveyor belts and instructs robotic arms to pick out objects resembling hard drives.
Environmental Considerations and Security Measures
To mitigate environmental concerns, Howells pledges to clean and recycle as much waste as possible, with the remainder properly reburied. He also plans to transform the landfill into a solar or wind energy farm post-excavation. However, officials remain skeptical about potential ecological disruptions.
Security is another key aspect of the operation. To prevent unauthorized scavengers from searching for the drive, Howells has personally invested in 24/7 surveillance, including Boston Dynamics’ robotic guard dogs patrolling the site.
The Challenge of Data Recovery
Even if the hard drive is found, there’s no guarantee it will function. Phil Bridge, a data recovery expert advising Howells, explains that success depends on the condition of the drive’s “platter”—the glass or metal disk storing the data. If intact, there’s an 80-90% chance of recovery. If shattered, retrieval becomes nearly impossible.
“Howells’ story fascinates everyone. If we succeed, this will be the recovery mission of a lifetime,” said Bridge.
The Financial Breakdown
Should the mission succeed, Howells plans to retain 30% of the Bitcoin’s value—over $54 million at current prices. Another 30% will go to investors, while the remaining portion will be distributed among Newport’s 150,000 residents.
Swiss and German venture capitalists Hanspeter Jaberg and Karl Wendeborn have already committed the $11 million needed for the project. “It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack, a high-risk investment. But we’re ready to fund it once Howells secures official approval,” said Jaberg.
If Newport City Council refuses, Howells is prepared to take legal action—though he hopes it won’t come to that. Meanwhile, he continues refining his recovery strategy while staying active in the Bitcoin market, determined to reclaim his lost fortune.
This is some next-level stubbornness! 😆
He’s just trying to reclaim what’s rightfully his. Can’t blame him for that!