"Because of your breakthrough in the field of deep-sea mining, the current downward rate of the iron, copper, gold, manganese and other ore futures markets has increased significantly. In order to maintain the stability of the market, our mining giants have also made some efforts. Of course, the key to solving the problem lies with you. ”

How many seabed mineral deposits are there? If the future mining industry makes a leapfrog breakthrough in this regard, investors' expectations for seabed mining will undoubtedly rise. How many resources are on the seabed? I'm afraid no one knows except Jiang Chen, who has obtained a map of the distribution of proven mineral deposits in the world.

However, investors themselves are imaginative creatures.

Speaking of this, Luke looked at Jiang Chen with a smile.

"If I'm not mistaken, the cost of seabed mining in the future should not be very high, and the production is still considerable. ”

The expression on Luke's face obviously didn't look like he didn't understand anything, and there was obviously no point in concealing it at this time, so Jiang Chen didn't hide it.

"You guessed it right. ”

Labor costs are only the salaries of the few employees who are stationed on offshore platforms, and the subsea equipment is powered by ocean current generator sets, and maintenance costs are almost negligible. The only cost of the equipment is also paid by Yajing, and Jiang Chen, who can't calculate the exchange rate between Yajing and the current currency, can't calculate the cost of these equipment.

But one thing is certain, and that is that the cost of seabed mining is very low, at least until the advent of space mining.

"That's pretty much the same as my analyst came to a conclusion. Luke smiled and nodded.

"At present, the global iron, aluminum, copper and other ore markets are already in jeopardy, it is no exaggeration. If iron ore prices maintain their current downward trend, 47 mining companies around the world will be in danger of bankruptcy by the end of the year. It may be good for us in the short term, but it's also dangerous for us in the long term. So. I hope to solve this problem by taking a step back from each. ”

"So what is your proposal?" Jiang Chen asked with interest as he looked at the smiling Luke.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're able to influence government decisions in the new country. We hope that you will influence the decision of the Presidential Office to raise the mineral export tax by 50% in the next five years to restrict the export of mineral resources from the country. Luke said softly.

To Jiang Chen's surprise, he originally thought that Luke would propose to acquire the technology of Future Mining, but he didn't expect him to mention this matter. It's just that such a proposal that is not painful for the future people of mining.

"Is it good for me to cool down investors by restricting future mining access to the international market?"

"Of course, we will not let you do it in vain, I am willing to provide you with a valid supply order for iron, aluminum, copper and other ores within five years, at 80% of the current market price of mineral resources. ”

For BHP Group. This is indeed a big step back. The discount of 20% is almost supplying ore at cost price, which is equivalent to saying that they will work for the Future Man Group for free for five years, in exchange for the concession made by the Future Man Group to delay the entry of low-cost ore into the global market.

"Is it possible to use the power of capital to delay the advent of new technologies?" Jiang Chen said meaningfully.

"You can understand it as paying enough benefits. I hope you can delay the release of this technology. In an environment of sluggish demand. Rolling out such a technology is not good for the market as a whole. Luke said earnestly.

Having said that, Luke has made BHP Group's attitude very clear.

Of course, Jiang Chen would not be naïve to think that they would honestly solve problems through market competition. With so many minerals in more than a dozen different countries around the world, they must not be underestimated in terms of their investment in politics.

The reason why it was brought up was that it was clear that they didn't want to clash head-on with the Future People Group, and they didn't even explain the subtext of the threat. After all, the Future People Group is no longer the small shrimp it was at the beginning, and its core industry is mainly in the Internet field, rather than in resource exploitation. The two sides can still avoid unnecessary conflicts.

On the other hand, it is probably not only the BHP Group that suffers from its interests. The Rothschild-controlled Vale Mining Company is the world's largest supplier of ore, and it is difficult to say that his "coincidence" meeting with Luke had nothing to do with Carmen.

At this moment, the thoughts in Jiang Chen's mind turned quickly, weighing the pros and cons of this proposal.

Jiang Chen also does not want to clash head-on with these mining giants if possible. In the future, we need a relatively stable development environment to expand our business, and it is undoubtedly an unwise choice to make enemies for ourselves at this time......

Moreover, the surplus of resources is only for the current situation, and this agreement is said to be a step back, but it is really impossible to say who suffers......

Luke waited patiently for Jiang Chen's reply.

didn't let him wait long, and after a moment of silence, Jiang Chen asked.

"Five years? Can I ask about the supply?"

"It's up to you. Taking an elegant sip of champagne, Luke said generously.

Hearing this, the corners of Jiang Chen's mouth raised a faint smile.

"80 million tons. ”

Hearing Jiang Chen's figures, Luke almost didn't squirt out the champagne he drank.

"80 million tons, does Mr. Jiang have an idea of the figure he gave? I'm not kidding, even if all the steel mills in Xinguo continue to operate for 50 years, I am afraid that these iron ore will not be able to be processed. ”

In 15 years, China's annual iron ore imports were almost 950 million tons, while the land territory of Xinguo was less than half of China's provinces. Not to mention five years, even if it is fifteen years, it is absolutely impossible not to eat so much iron ore!

In the eyes of outsiders.

"You don't need to worry about it, the Future People Group naturally has projects to digest these resources. In addition, by the way, these 80 million tons are the total amount of iron, aluminum, copper, nickel and other ores, not just iron ore. Of course, iron ore must account for the majority of these 80 million tons of ore, accounting for at least 75% or more. Jiang Chen smiled.

With a frown, Luke hesitated for a moment and nodded.

"Up to 50 million tons, and you have to guarantee that the ore that I will provide you at cost price, you will not put these iron ore on the international market, which will be written into the contract. ”

"No problem. But I have to say in advance that we may build a plant in neighbouring Papua New Guinea to process these ores and then ship them back to the new country. Jiang Chen reminded.

The labor resources of the new country are tight, and Jiang Chen intends to transfer these industries with high pollution levels and large labor demand to neighboring countries as much as possible. New Guinea, as a developing country, is undoubtedly a good choice, as well as the budding Moro country.

After a moment's thought, Luke finally nodded.

"No problem. ”

In addition, molybdenum, uranium and rare earth resources are not covered by the agreement. Jiang Chen continued to propose.

"No problem, the molybdenum ore and rare earth markets are basically controlled by the Chinese side, and they have nothing to do with us...... By the way, is it technically feasible to mine uranium ore from the seabed?" a look of interest appeared on Luke's face.

"Not now, but it doesn't mean that it won't work in the future, maybe we can make a breakthrough in technology in five years, these are not good. Jiang Chen said ambiguously.

"Really? That's pretty surprising. If you have no other objections, I'm glad we agreed. Luke smiled and raised his glass.

"I wish us a happy cooperation. Jiang Chen also raised his glass, a mysterious smile crossed his face.

With the crisp sound of clinking glasses, this business worth tens of billions of dollars has finally settled. Both parties had satisfied smiles on their faces, and it was clear that both sides had achieved the results they wanted.

Luke received a promise from Futureman Mining not to bring deep-sea mining technology to the global mining market. Although the 50 million tons of ore will not make money, it will not make BHP Group lose money. With the current market, it is already very good to be able to maintain a non-loss performance without reducing production. On the surface, it seems that BHP Group is "working for free" for the Future People Group, but from another point of view, this is not a solution to the excess capacity of BHP Group.

As for Jiang Chen, the benefits he got were obvious. 50 million tons of ore were obtained at the floor price, which is crucial for the future people group to build a floating city on the sea, a base station at the bottom of a space elevator, and a large habitable space station in the near future.

In less than five years, Luke will regret the contract he made tonight.

Resource overcapacity will always be only relative to the present.

The only thing that puzzled Jiang Chen was why Luke was able to judge the cost and output of the mining industry in the future so confidently. And when faced with deep-sea mining technology, he did not show the slightest confusion about the intention to acquire.

Looking at the wine glass in his hand, Jiang Chen fell into deep thought. (To be continued.) )