After chatting with Qiao Mai, Chen Nian added another stroke to his "task manager", that is, to help Qiao Mai promote the progress of electromechanical and hydraulic integration design within the scope of his ability.

After all, in this day and age, it's still quite difficult to push the technology forward.

Just the servo motor involved and necessary for it has a large part of the technical gap that needs to be filled.

Not to mention that Qiao Mai alone can solve it, even if the whole country works together, it is not so easy to solve.

However, fortunately, there is no rush here.

After returning to his room, Chen Nian picked out the latest date from the thick stack of books and began his study of energy materials.

He focused on the lithium dendrite, which, after all, remained unresolved until years later.

——

In fact, it's not that it hasn't been solved, but we haven't even figured out the principle of lithium dendrite.

If you can solve this problem by yourself, needless to say, the number of source points generated by knowledge increment will definitely exceed 100.

However, it is not so easy for an entry-level player in materials science like Chen Nian to overcome a major problem with no experience to follow.

The construction of the laboratory, the learning of the theoretical foundation, the repeated trial and error, and research are all steps that cannot be skipped.

Of course, in this process, Chen Nian can also appropriately use some systematic help.

That's another topic.

The preliminary plan was set, and Chen Nian was about to start previewing, but at this time, there was a knock on his door.

When I opened it, it was Chen Guo standing outside the door.

"Professor Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Nian asked with some surprise.

Generally speaking, Chen Guo actually rarely disturbed him, especially at night, which was usually the time that Chen Nian arranged freely.

If you find yourself at this time, it means that either something big is happening, or, "something big is about to happen".

Hearing Chen Nian's question, Chen Guo did not answer immediately, but walked into the room first, and then spoke:

"There are three messages that need to be synchronized with you."

"Two good news, one bad news. Which do you listen to first? ”

Let's go in chronological order."

Chen Nian replied a little speechlessly.

Chen Guo smiled and said:

"The first good news is that the positive effect of the live broadcast of the Jingshi section has begun to be revealed, according to data monitoring, the public's attention to advanced technology is rising, and the number of visits to the popular science website we have set up is also skyrocketing."

"It can be said that the 'popular science plan for all' you put forward has already achieved initial results."

"But that's not all."

"The better news is that because of the comparison of the Los Angeles high-speed rail live broadcast in the United States, the publicity effect of our show this time far exceeded our previous expectations."

"Especially in terms of mechanical publicity, it's almost like a big commercial."

"So, the good news is, we've got the order."

"The Gauteng high-speed rail project in South Africa has expressed our intention to cooperate."

"Gauteng high-speed rail?"

Chen Nian was taken aback.

Actually, he was quite impressed with it.

Because, the construction process of this high-speed rail line was also made into a documentary by South Africa.

However, hasn't the Gauteng high-speed rail project been controlled by Bombardier?

In my impression, at this time in 2006, Bombardier should have formed a Bombera consortium with South African officials to win the construction rights of this high-speed railway, which South Africa has high hopes for.

The interests of design are extremely complex, and it is far more than the "technology itself" that determines the ownership of the project.

How is it possible that South African officials will give up the fat that is about to arrive and throw an olive branch to us instead?

So, he went on to ask:

"What about the Bombella consortium? What about Bombardier? South Africa doesn't want them anymore? ”

Seeing Chen Nian's reaction, Chen Guo sighed, and then continued:

"Okay, then we'll get into the second news early."

"It's bad news, the Bombera consortium didn't pull out of the project, on the contrary, they threw out more favorable terms, with the aim of winning the Gauteng high-speed rail."

"Even, they made an offer below the cost price, which is kind of an all-or-nothing meaning."

"Of course, that's understandable."

"Although the first phase of the Gauteng high-speed rail is only 80 kilometers, it is an expansive project, and if they can get the ticket, they will get a huge profit return for every kilometer of high-speed rail built in the future."

"To put it bluntly, if we want to compete with them, we have to operate at a loss."

"That's not bad news."

Without waiting for Chen Guo to answer, Chen Nian directly interrupted.

Because he knows that the so-called Gauteng high-speed railway has actually been built for 80 kilometers from beginning to end.

Although South African officials have proposed expansion plans more than once since then, these expansion plans have not been implemented at all due to the weakening of the local economy and the turmoil in Africa as a whole.

It's just that the appetite of the consortium has been aroused again and again, and they have been deceived of their free operation and maintenance services again and again.

With this kind of broken project, is it worth losing money to grab the market?

No kidding.

South Africa's morality is not much different from India's, I don't want the project to give it to me, and I still grab it?

Grab a hammer!

He paused for a moment, then said patiently:

"At present, the news released by the Gauteng high-speed rail is basically non-definitive news, and the reason why the Bombera consortium wants to take this project is also attracted by their expectations."

"But the problem is that for the past few years, South Africa's economy has been on a downward channel. Well, those blacks can't get the economy back on their own. ”

"The only potential flashpoint was the 2010 World Cup."

"But from historical experience, no country has made a fortune by hosting a World Cup."

"So, I don't recommend taking this project, even if you want to take it, it has to be profitable."

Hearing Chen Nian's words, a smile appeared on Chen Guo's face.

He nodded slightly, and replied:

"We've already taken these issues into account."

"The situation is indeed as you said, if we just win this project, we really can't make money."

"But the problem is that the South African side has attached a condition to this project."

"That's the third news, good news."

"The condition is that the right to explore for gold in the territory and the right to mine the gold after it is discovered."

“？？？”

Chen Nian had a question mark in his mind, and he asked in disbelief:

"South Africans want to sell gold mining rights? Are you sure? Is it a territory-wide prospecting right? Or is it limited to a certain area? ”

In Chen Nian's impression, although South Africa exports amazing gold every year, in fact, they have extremely strict control over the exploration and mining rights of gold mines.

The reason is very simple, where they can issue mining licenses, basically the ore grade is relatively low, and the mining is relatively difficult.

Or in other words, it's the leftover bones that they can't do themselves, so they will take them out and do them for others.

If this time it is still like this

It's a little better than just bidding, but it's not that much better.

Unless, South Africa opens up prospecting and mining rights throughout the territory, which is a bit of a trick.

Looking at Chen Nian's expectant eyes, Chen Guo did not sell off, but answered Chen Nian's questions one by one and straightforwardly.

"It was decided that the gold mining rights would be transferred, but not the whole territory, but several areas that had been demarcated."

"However, these areas include the Rand mine and the surrounding area."

Chen Nian nodded abruptly.

I see.

No wonder Chen Guo said it was good news.

The Rand Mine is the largest gold mining area in South Africa and the world, producing 22% of the world's gold reserves since 1886.

And, even after 20 years, the mineable gold reserves of the entire mining area are still as high as 18,000 tons, which is about two and a half times the reserves of the United States and 12 China.

Previously, the Rand mine was rarely open for investment, but now it has broken precedent.

——

Perhaps, it is that the difficulty of gold mining has exceeded the cost-effectiveness ceiling that South Africa can afford?

Chen Nian frowned slightly, and then continued to ask:

"Have you done a feasibility study? If we get the prospecting rights, can we make money? ”

Chen Guo shook his head slightly and replied:

"The detailed feasibility study has not yet been completed, but according to the data, the bonanza around the Rand mine has basically been discovered, and the rest are some low-grade veins."

"However, we do not rule out the possibility of deeper buried veins."

"As long as the ore grade is above 4, we are profitable."

"After all, the current grade of our domestic gold mines is too low."

Chen Nian nodded slightly, he actually had an understanding of this.

The ore grade of domestic gold mines is generally between 2 and 5, that is, only 2 to 5 grams of gold can be extracted from one ton of ore.

By contrast, Africa, and South Africa in particular, has gold ore grades ranging from 5 to 15, with some bonanzas reaching a staggering 30 grams per tonne.

Therefore, it is no wonder that after South Africa put forward this condition, domestic policymakers were tempted.

After all, if you can get a mine, it will be a huge boost to the country's gold reserves.

You know, one of the important reasons why the United States can continue to export crises while still standing is that they have gold reserves of more than 8,000 tons.

This is one of the greatest gifts that the Bretton Woods system has given them.

Now, it is difficult to replicate such a global policy, and in the short term, we can only close the gap by accelerating gold production.

However, having said that, it still seems a bit too shabby to pick up leftovers from the Rand mining area to eat, right?

Thinking of this, he opened his mouth and asked:

"What about the other than the Rand mines? What other areas are open for prospecting rights? ”

"Mostly in the Witwatersrand Basin, including Rand, Clarksdorp, Botaville, the Free State and Evander."

"But if we had to choose, it would definitely be the Rand area."

"After all, the mineral reserves and proven mineral grades in other regions are relatively poor, and if we had chosen, the risk would have been higher."

"Huh? You wait first. ”

Chen Nian interrupted Chen Guo's words, then turned on the computer and found a map of South Africa on the Internet.

"I'll take a look first. Rand is here, this is East Rand. ”

"To the west is Clarksdorp."

"Johannesburg to the east. This is Eswatini. ”

"Down in Eswatini, that's Evande??"

Chen Guo heard that Chen Nian's tone had changed slightly, so he hurriedly came over.

After one glance, he nodded and said:

"Yes, this is the Evander area."

"It's on the border with Eswatini, and there's a famous wildlife reserve called "

"White River Nature Park."

Chen Nian took Chen Guo's words without hesitation.

"Yes, Shirakawa Nature Park-—— how do you know?"

How do I know?

A smile appeared on Chen Nian's face.

I know too much!

I remember that in his previous life, he was sent to Eswatini for two months on a business trip because of his work, where he also experienced the experience of being caught in a police car for no reason, and then after paying two hundred yuan, the police car turned into a taxi on the spot.

——

But of course, that's not the point.

Like all visitors to Eswatini, the wildlife reserves there are basically must-see attractions.

And what Chen Nian checked in was the Baihe Reserve.

So, he was very impressed with the area.

And after 2016, when the news of the discovery of a large gold mine in the White River Reserve came out, his impression was even deeper!

In his memory, the initial proven gold reserves of the White River deposit reached more than 500 tons, and the ore grade reached 8 grams per tonne, which was another surprise from nature after the development of gold mines in South Africa reached the end of their development.

However, the geographical environment there is complex and the construction of mines is difficult, so for a long time, South Africa has not achieved large-scale production.

——

However, no matter how difficult the infrastructure is, it doesn't matter if it's an infrastructure maniac!

In the last life, the deposit was eventually taken over by European companies.

And what about this time?

It's our turn, right?

The look on Chen Nian's face became excited, and he said:

"We want Evander!"

"There's very little competition in this area, and the discount isn't too high!"

"We don't want anything else, we want the prospecting rights and mining rights in this area!"

"Of course, we can't be so obvious and let those comrades who are engaged in business have a good pull."

Chen Guo subconsciously scratched his head and asked suspiciously:

"Evande? This is the worst piece of the area where the prospecting rights are open, are you sure we want it? Do you think there are mines here? ”

"There must be!"

Chen Nian said firmly.

Chen Guo subconsciously wanted to ask "why", but soon, he suppressed the thoughts in his heart.

Whatever he wants.

Don't ask what you shouldn't.

So he answered:

"I can report back to this strategy."

"If we really follow this plan, the probability that we will win the project is still very high."

"However, whether the Evend area is worth it is worth this needs to be further discussed."

"I understand, you guys go and discuss it."

Chen Nian nodded and said.

"However, it is important to come to a conclusion as soon as possible."

"It's late, but it's not in a hurry"

He leaned back in his chair in satisfaction, and thought to himself:

Engineering for resources, this is a road that has been taken a long time ago.

However, in this life, maybe we can go better

(End of chapter)