James Howells Fights Back Against Experts Who Say His $775M Bitcoin Hard Drive Is Lost Forever

James Howells, the British IT worker who accidentally discarded a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin (BTC) in 2013, is pushing back against claims from waste management experts who argue that retrieving his lost fortune is nearly impossible.

Howells, whose Bitcoin stash is now worth around $775 million, has been locked in a decade-long battle to excavate a landfill in Newport, Wales, where he believes the hard drive remains buried. His mission, fueled by both cutting-edge technology and unwavering determination, has faced repeated obstacles—particularly from local authorities and environmental experts who insist that such a recovery effort would be futile.

Experts Say It’s Impossible—Howells Disagrees

A number of waste management specialists argue that the chances of locating a decade-old hard drive in a massive landfill are slim to none. They cite factors such as:

• Landfill Shifting: Over time, layers of waste compact and shift, making precise excavation nearly impossible.
• Corrosion & Damage: Harsh environmental conditions, including exposure to moisture and gases, may have rendered the hard drive unreadable.
• Legal & Environmental Barriers: Digging through tons of waste presents significant ecological risks and requires local government approval, which Howells has struggled to obtain.

Despite these challenges, Howells remains confident in his ability to recover the device. He has proposed a $11 million excavation project backed by AI, drone technology, and a team of data recovery specialists. His plan includes sorting through landfill sections with robotic systems and using forensic techniques to extract data from the drive—even if it's physically damaged.

The Battle with Newport Council

Newport City Council has been firm in its refusal to grant Howells permission to dig, citing environmental concerns and the lack of a guarantee that the hard drive will even be found. However, Howells believes that with the right investment and methodology, recovery is still possible.

"This isn’t some wild treasure hunt—it’s a calculated, high-tech recovery effort," Howells has stated. "We have the expertise, the funding, and the technology to do this safely and efficiently."

Will the Bitcoin Treasure Hunt Succeed?

While the odds may seem stacked against him, Howells refuses to give up. Whether he can overturn expert opinions and local government resistance remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the $775 million treasure remains buried—somewhere beneath the Newport landfill.

‍