Cryptocurrency Mining Operation Launched by Oil and Gas Producer Iron Bridge Resources

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iron Bridge Resources Inc. (“Iron Bridge”, “IBR” or the "Company") (TSX:IBR) is pleased to announce the formation and launch of a wholly-owned cryptocurrency mining and hosting operation called Iron Chain Technology Corp. (“ICT”). ICT will own and operate cryptocurrency mining datacenters at Canadian oil and gas field sites, taking advantage of cheap, clean burning natural gas to generate its own electricity.  As a result of this structure and the current Canadian gas price environment, ICT will benefit from some of the lowest cost power in the world.

“We are very excited to be joining the blockchain movement and together with our new technology team, we hope to contribute to the ecosystem by helping to increase transaction speeds and lower transaction costs,” said Iron Bridge Resources CEO, Rob Colcleugh.  “Our IBR shareholders are expected to benefit from increased natural gas netbacks as we convert our clean, low priced gas to electricity and then direct that electricity to profitably mine cryptocurrency and host platforms for third-party mining equipment.”

Iron Chain Technology expects to begin operating its pilot cryptocurrency mining facility near IBR’s oil and gas operations at Elmworth, Alberta. ICT is already currently mining with equipment sourced and assembled by technology professionals who have been engaged by the Company. These professionals are IT systems architects who have extensive experience assembling mining equipment and have a history of profitably mining cryptocurrencies. ICT is providing hosting services for a limited amount of equipment from third-parties, and expects this to be a growth area for the Company. The Company is currently mining Bitcoin and intends to maintain flexibility with regard to the type of cryptocurrency coin that gets mined going forward.

While North American natural gas prices have been weak for a number of years, the market in Western Canada has been significantly negatively impacted by strong supplies and persistent pipeline takeaway restrictions. This has lead to AECO prices that trade in the $1.50 per GJ range in the futures market. This pricing environment, combined with the emergence of blockchain and cryptocurrencies as increasingly accepted and enduring technologies, provides an opportunity for ICT to become an important infrastructure player by leveraging its sustainable power cost advantage in a safe, stable developed country.