Kneehill County council approved second and third reading to redesignate a parcel of land from Agriculture District to Light Industrial District to allow potential development of a cryptocurrency mining facility during the regular Tuesday, May 10 council meeting.
The proposed facility will be located on an existing 1.04 acre Ember Resources surface lease approximately two kilometres southwest from the hamlet of Torrington.
“Kneehill County recognizes the importance of a balanced taxbase and strives to create opportunities for commercial, agricultural, industrial and tourism growth,” explained manager of Planning and Development Barb Hazelton during the meeting.
Council heard how the facility will be owned and operated by Alberta-based company Fire Technology Corporation which operates several cryptocurrency mining facilities internationally in China and Kazkhstan.
The facility will not be connected to the electrical grid and will instead use between seven and nine natural gas-powered generators to power the facility; it is estimated there will be seven to nine containers located on the site, with each container housing some 300 high-tech mining machines with multiple fans. There will also be a small office on-site with communication equipment.
Fire Technology is proposing to complete development in two phases, though it is expected both will be completed by the end of 2022.
Ms. Hazelton noted data centres such as the proposed facility are permitted within the Light Industrial District as a discretionary use, and noted the applicants will still need development permit approval from the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) before proceeding with any work.
During the public hearing, Ms. Hazelton noted administration had not received any letters in favour of the development and received one letter in opposition listing additional traffic and noise among the concerns of the proposed development.
Ms. Hazelton added, if the development is not approved, the land can be rezoned back to Agriculture District if requested by the landowner.
Second and third readings were unanimously approved by Kneehill County council.

The Valley was just a few short years into the new millennium and heavy guitar and bombastic drums dominated the radio. Local band Downtyme, featuring Ben Fooks, Dallas Durant, Marcel Augey, and Chad Huene, was making a name for itself. The band released two albums and even became a finalist in the National Songwriting Contest, sending them to Canada Music Week. Four of their tracks made it into Rexall Place for Oilers’ games and made the charts on Alberta radio. On the occasion of lead guitarist Augey’s 40th birthday, the band, with Kendall Coveney on the drums, played a set at the Last Chance Saloon in front of about 120. For those who missed the impromptu show and want a blast from the past, Downtyme is available on many streaming platforms and YouTube.