James Howells, a computer engineer from Newport, Wales, is exploring the possibility of purchasing the Docksway landfill in a final attempt to recover a hard drive containing 8,000 bitcoins. The drive, which he accidentally discarded in 2013, is now worth approximately £600 million.
A Decade-Long Battle
For the past ten years, Howells has fought to obtain permission from Newport City Council to excavate the landfill. He has proposed several detailed plans, even securing investment partners and offering the council a share of the recovered funds. However, all his requests have been denied due to environmental and logistical concerns.
In January 2025, a High Court ruling rejected his latest legal bid, effectively shutting down his hopes of searching the site. Soon after, the council announced plans to close the landfill and convert it into a solar farm, making recovery of the lost fortune even more difficult.
New Strategy: Buying the Landfill
Faced with this setback, Howells is now considering the radical step of purchasing the entire landfill. He believes this would allow him to conduct a full-scale search without the council’s interference.
Howells expressed frustration over the council’s decision, stating:
“It claimed at the High Court that closing the landfill to allow me to search would have a huge detrimental impact on the people of Newport, whilst at the same time they were planning to close the landfill anyway.”
Challenges and Risks
Even if Howells secures ownership of the site, the recovery process remains uncertain. Over a decade of landfill activity means the hard drive could be buried under thousands of tons of waste, potentially damaged beyond repair.
Environmental concerns also pose a challenge. Digging through a landfill could disturb toxic waste, release harmful gases, and require costly safety measures. These were the key reasons why the council previously refused excavation efforts.
The Future of Lost Bitcoin Fortunes
Howells’ story highlights the dangers of losing access to cryptocurrency. Bitcoin wallets require private keys stored on physical devices like hard drives. If lost, there is no way to recover the funds—making security and backup systems crucial for crypto holders.
As Bitcoin’s value continues to rise, stories of lost fortunes like Howells’ are becoming more common. Whether his latest plan succeeds remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: he is not giving up without a fight.
What’s Next?
Howells is now in discussions with potential investors to finance the purchase of the landfill. If successful, he could gain full control over the site and finally begin his long-awaited search.
Would you take such drastic measures for a lost fortune? Let us know your thoughts!
