Spark

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

After all, in this era, it is quite difficult to promote the development of this technology.

Only the servo motors involved and necessary have a large part of the technical gap that needs to be filled.

Not to mention the strength of Qiao Mai alone, even if it is the joint efforts of the whole country, it is not so easy to solve it.

But, fortunately, there is no rush.

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

His focus was on the lithium dendrite problem, which, after all, remained unsolved for many years.

——

In fact, it is not that there is no solution, but that everyone has not even figured out the principle of lithium dendrite generation.

If you can solve this problem with your own strength, needless to say, the number of source points generated by knowledge increments will definitely exceed a hundred.

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

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

Of course, in this process, Chen Nian can also use some help from the system.

That's another topic.

Having made a preliminary plan, Chen Nian was about to start previewing, but at this moment, there was a knock on his door.

Opening it, it was Chen Guo standing outside the door.

"Professor Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Nian asked in surprise.

Generally speaking, Chen Guo rarely disturbs him, especially at night, which is usually a time that Chen Nian freely arranges.

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

Hearing Chen Nian's question, Chen Guo didn't answer immediately, but walked into the room first, and then said:

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

"Two good news and one bad news. Which do you hear first?"

".Come in chronological order."

Chen Nian slightly replied speechlessly.

Chen Guo chuckled and said:

"The first piece of good news is that the positive effects of the Beijing-Shibai live broadcast have begun to emerge. According to data monitoring, the public's attention to advanced technology is increasing, and the number of visits to the popular science website we set up is also skyrocketing."

"It can be said that the 'National Science Popularization Plan' you proposed has achieved initial results."

"But that's not all I want to say."

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

"Especially the promotion of machinery, it's almost like a large-scale commercial."

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

"The Gauteng high-speed rail project in South Africa has expressed its cooperation intention to us."

"Gauteng High Speed ​​Rail?"

Chen Nian was taken aback.

In fact, he was quite impressed with this thing.

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 under the control of Bombardier?

In my impression, at this time in 2006, Bombardier should have formed the Bombera Consortium with the South African government to win the right to build this high-speed railway that South Africa has placed high hopes on.

The interests of the design are extremely complicated, and what determines the ownership of the project is far from being as simple as "the technology itself".

How could the South African government give up the fat that is about to be acquired, and throw an olive branch to us instead?

So he went on to ask:

"What about the Bombera consortium? What about Bombardier? South Africa doesn't want them?"

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

"Okay, then we will enter the second message in advance."

"This is bad news. The Bombera consortium did not withdraw from the project. Instead, they offered more favorable conditions in order to win the Gauteng High Speed ​​Rail."

"Even, they made an offer lower than the cost price, which seems to be a desperate attempt."

"Of course, this is also very understandable."

"Although the Gauteng High Speed ​​Rail Phase I plan is only 80 kilometers long, it is an expansion project. If they can get admission tickets, they will be able to get a huge profit for every kilometer of high-speed rail they build in the future. "

“To put it bluntly, to compete with them, we have to operate at a loss.”

"It's not bad news."

Before Chen Guo could answer, Chen Nian interrupted directly.

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

Although South African officials proposed expansion plans more than once afterwards, due to the weak local economy and the turbulent situation in Africa, these expansion plans were not implemented at all.

It's just to whet the appetite of the consortium again and again, and to cheat their free operation and maintenance services again and again.

For such a broken project, is it worth losing money to grab the market?

Don't be kidding.

The virtues of South Africa are not much different from those of India. I don’t even want the project given to me, so I still want to grab it?

Grab a hammer!

He paused for a moment, and said patiently:

"At present, the news released by the Gauteng High Speed ​​Rail is basically uncertain news. The reason why the Bombera Consortium wants to take this project is also attracted by their expectations."

"But the problem is that in the past few years, South Africa's economy has been on a downward path. After driving out the white elites, those Ni...er, those black people cannot bring the economy back on track by themselves."

"The only potential flashpoint is 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 must be profitable."

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

He nodded slightly and replied:

"We have considered all these issues."

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

"But the problem is that South Africa has attached a condition to the project."

"This is the third news, good news."

"The conditions are the prospecting rights of gold mines in the territory, and the mining rights after discovering gold mines."

"???"

With a question mark on Chen Nian's forehead, he asked in disbelief:

"South Africans want to sell gold mining rights? Are you sure? Is it the prospecting rights for the whole territory? Or is it limited to certain areas?"

In Chen Nian's impression, although South Africa's annual gold export volume is astonishing, in fact, they have extremely strict control over the exploration and mining rights of gold mines. In the past few decades, only a few foreign capitals have obtained Mining rights, and the income is not too good.

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

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

If this is still the case

Although it is indeed a little better than simple bidding, it is not much better.

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

Looking at Chen Nian's expectant eyes, Chen Guo didn't try to be tricky, but answered Chen Nian's questions one by one.

"It is determined to sell the gold mining rights, but not the whole territory, but a few designated areas."

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

Chen Nian nodded suddenly.

I see.

No wonder Chen Guo said it was good news.

The Rand mining area is the largest gold mining area in South Africa, and even the largest in the world. Since 1886, the gold produced in this mining area has accounted for 22% of the world's gold reserves.

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

Prior to this, the Rand mining area was rarely open to foreign investment, but now it has broken the precedent.

——

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

Chen Nian frowned slightly, then continued to ask:

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

Chen Guo shook her head slightly, and replied:

"The detailed feasibility study has not been completed, but according to the data, the rich ore around the Rand mining area has basically been proven, and the rest are low-grade ore veins."

"However, we do not rule out the possibility that there are veins with deeper burial depths."

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

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

Chen Nian nodded slightly. He had actually understood this point before.

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

In contrast, the grade of gold ore in Africa, especially South Africa, is basically between 5 and 15, and there are even some rich ore, which can reach an astonishing figure of 30 grams per ton.

Therefore, it is no wonder that after South Africa proposed this condition, domestic decision makers were moved.

After all, if a mine can be obtained, it will be a huge boost to the domestic gold reserves.

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

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

Now, it is difficult for us to reproduce such a global policy. In the short term, we can only rely on accelerating gold production to level the gap.

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

Thinking of this, he asked:

"Except for the Rand mining area? What other areas are open to exploration rights?"

"Mainly in the Witwatersrand Basin, including Rand, Clarksdorp, Bothaville, Free State and Avond."

"However, if we want to choose, we must still choose the Rand area."

"After all, the grades of mineral reserves and proven minerals in other regions are relatively poor. If we choose, the risk will be relatively high."

"Huh? You wait first."

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

"Let me take a look first. Rand is here, this is East Rand."

"Klarksdorp to the west."

"East of Johannesburg. This is Swaziland."

"Under Swaziland, is Evander??"

Chen Guo could hear the change in Chen Nian's tone, so she hurried over.

After taking a look, he nodded and said:

"Yes, this is the Evande area."

"It is on the border with Swaziland, and there is also a very famous wild reserve called"

"Baihe Natural Park."

Chen Nian took Chen Guo's words without hesitation.

"Yes, Baihe Natural Park—how do you know?"

how do i know

A smile appeared on Chen Nian's face.

He knows me too well!

I remember that in the last life, he was sent to Swaziland for a two-month business trip because of his work. There, he also experienced being caught in a police car for no reason, and after paying two hundred yuan, the scene of the police car The experience of turning into a taxi.

——

But of course, that's not the point.

Like everyone who has been to Swaziland, the wild 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.

After 2016, when the news of the discovery of a large gold mine in the Baihe Reserve spread, his impression was even deeper!

In his memory, the preliminarily proven gold reserves of the Baihe deposit reached more than 500 tons, and the ore grade reached 8 grams per ton.

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

——

However, no matter how difficult the infrastructure is, it is not a big deal for the infrastructure madman!

In the previous life, this mineral deposit was eventually taken over by European companies.

What about this time?

Is it our turn?

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

"We want Evander!"

"There is very little competition in this area, and the discount will not be too high!"

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

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

Chen Guo scratched her head subconsciously, and asked suspiciously:

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

"Must have!"

Chen Nian said firmly.

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

Who cares why.

If you shouldn't ask, don't ask.

So he opened his mouth and answered:

"I can report this strategy upwards."

"If this plan is really followed, the possibility of us winning the project is still very high."

"However, whether the Evand area is worth it is still a matter of further discussion."

"I understand, you go discuss it."

Chen Nian nodded and said.

"However, we must come to a conclusion as soon as possible."

"It's late, but I won't be in a hurry"

He leaned back on the chair in satisfaction, thinking to himself:

The exchange of projects for resources is a path that has been traveled long ago.

However, in this life, maybe we can go better