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In the depths of an active mine under the Dolomites in Italy, work to create a digital data centre is underway.
It will be the first and only centre in Europe to be installed in an active mine.
Known as Trentino DataMine, the project is a joint venture between the University of Trento and a small group of privately owned companies.
Giuliano Claudio Peritore, an expert in digital data and president of the Association of Italian Internet Providers, said he is “absolutely fascinated” by the project because a mine is generally considered to be very humid and therefore not at all suited to hosting a data centre.
“We had heard that abroad data centres were being placed in unusual places, but I had never heard of them being in a mine, because we think of a mine as being a humid place, therefore not suited to a data centre,” he said.
“Instead in the case of Trentino (DataMine) we have something special because the dolomite rock is absolutely dry, in a stable mountain, but above all we are seeing the use of a space of this kind being taken from a mining operation”.
The project, which will cost €50.2 million, is partially funded by the European Union’s Next Generation fund, with €18.4 million coming from public sources and the rest from private companies in IT and construction.
“Already years ago, there was an intention to make use of these spaces which have unique characteristics, very suited to host a data room. We decided to go ahead because there is a combination of physical security with low environmental and energy impact,” said Roberto Loro, Chief Technology Officer of Dedagroup, one of the companies involved, and a board member of Trentino DataMine.
The centre is considered secure because it is 100 metres below ground level and is extremely stable from a hydrogeological point of view. It will be safe from earthquakes and bombs, whilst the cybersecurity will be protected by the sheer impenetrability of the rock by electromagnetic waves and by the use of the highest levels of technology available, which will be constantly updated.
Synergies with local industries
The mine, owned by the company Tassullo, has long extracted dolomite used in construction, agriculture, ceramics, and glass. As material was removed, the dry, 12°C environment proved ideal for storage.
Apples from the Trentino region, local wines, and Trentingrana cheese have all been kept here, sometimes for up to a year.
Loro explains that they are counting on cooperation with others, and that those who need heat can use the heat produced by the working servers, whilst those who need cooling systems can benefit from refrigeration used in other processes.
“We are very happy that this data centre has a life alongside other initiatives – the storage of apples, wine, cheese – and we look forward to others, because we are counting on synergies. Those who need heat can use the heat we produce.”
Around 60 workers are laying 50 kilometres of electrical and fibre-optic cables and three kilometres of tubing. Ventilation systems and power generators have been installed, though much of the cooling comes naturally from the mine’s steady 12°C temperature.
Approximately 80 per cent of the facility is underground, with the remainder dedicated to offices, security, and reception areas. Cabinets to hold servers are already in place and are expected to be operational by December.