After chatting with Qiu Mai, Chen Nian added something to his "task manager", that is, to help Qiu Mai promote the progress of electromechanical and hydraulic integrated design within the scope of his capabilities.
After all, in this era, it is still difficult to promote the development of this technology.
Just for the servo motors it involves and is necessary, there are a large number of technical gaps that need to be filled.
Not to mention the strength of Qiu Mai alone, even if the whole country joins forces, it will not be so easy to solve the problem.
However, fortunately there is no rush here.
After returning to his room, Chen Nian picked out the latest one from a thick stack of books and began his study of energy materials.
He focused on the problem of lithium dendrites, which, after all, would not be solved until many years later.
——
In fact, it is not that it has not been solved, but that everyone has not even understood the principle of lithium dendrite generation.
If we can solve this problem by ourselves, it goes without saying that the number of source points generated by the increase in knowledge will definitely exceed one hundred.
However, it is not that easy for an entry-level player in materials science like Chen Nian to overcome a major problem with no experience to follow.
The establishment of a laboratory, the study of theoretical foundations, repeated trial and error, and research are all steps that cannot be skipped.
Of course, in this process, Chen Nian can also take appropriate help from some systems.
This is another topic.
After making a preliminary plan, Chen Nian was about to start previewing. However, at this moment, there was a knock on his door.
When he opened it, he saw that it was Chen Guo standing outside the door.
"Professor Chen, what's wrong?"
Chen Nian asked somewhat unexpectedly.
Generally speaking, Chen Guo rarely disturbed him, especially at night. This was usually Chen Nian's free time.
If you find yourself at this time, it means that either something big has happened, or "something big is about to happen."
Upon hearing Chen Nian's question, Chen Guo did not answer immediately. Instead, she walked into the room first and then said:
"There are three messages that I need to synchronize with you."
"Two good news, one bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
".Come in chronological order."
Chen Nian slightly replied speechlessly.
Chen Guo smiled and said:
"The first good news is that the positive effects of the live broadcast on the Beijing-Shijiazhuang section have begun to show up. According to data monitoring, people'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 'National Science Popularization Plan' you proposed has already achieved initial results."
"But that's not all I have to say."
"The better news is that due to the comparison of the live broadcast of the Los Angeles High Speed Rail in the United States, the promotional effect of our program far exceeded previous expectations."
"Especially the promotion of machinery is almost like a large-scale advertising film."
"So, the good news is, we got the order."
"The Gauteng high-speed rail project in South Africa has expressed its intention to cooperate with us."
"Gauteng High Speed Rail?"
Chen Nian was shocked.
In fact, he was quite impressed with this thing.
Because the construction process of this high-speed rail line was also filmed as a documentary in South Africa.
However, hasn’t the Gauteng high-speed rail project been controlled by Bombardier?
In my impression, by this time in 2006, Bombardier should have formed the Bombela 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 the design are extremely complex, and what determines the ownership of the project is far more than just the "technology itself".
How could South African officials give up the fat they were about to acquire and instead extend an olive branch to us?
So, he continued to ask:
"What about Bombela Consortium? Where about Bombardier? South Africa doesn't want them anymore?"
Seeing Chen Nian's reaction, Chen Guo sighed, and then continued:
"Okay, let's get into the second news in advance."
"This is bad news. The Bombella consortium did not withdraw from the project. On the contrary, they offered more favorable conditions in order to win the Gauteng high-speed rail."
"They even made an offer below the cost price, which seemed like a desperate move."
"Of course, this is easy to understand."
“Although the first phase of the Gauteng high-speed rail plan is only 80 kilometers, it is an expansion project. If they can get the admission ticket, they will be able to get huge profit returns 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."
Before Chen Guo could answer, Chen Nian interrupted directly.
Because he knew that the so-called Gauteng High-Speed Railway was only built for 80 kilometers from beginning to end.
Although South African officials proposed expansion plans more than once later, due to the weakening local economy and the turmoil throughout Africa, these expansion plans were not implemented at all.
It just whets the appetite of the consortium again and again and deceives them of free operation and maintenance services.
With such a broken project, is it still worth losing money to grab the market?
Don't be ridiculous.
The moral character of South Africa is not much different from that of India. I don’t even want the project given to me, why are you still grabbing it?
Grab a hammer!
He paused for a moment and said patiently:
"The news currently released by the Gauteng High-Speed Railway is basically uncertain. The reason why the Bombela Consortium wants to take over 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 away the white elite, those black people, er, can't get the economy back on track on their own."
"The only potential flashpoint is the 2010 World Cup."
"But judging from historical experience, no country has become rich 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 taken these issues into consideration."
"The situation is indeed as you said. If we just win this project, it is indeed impossible for us to make money."
"But the problem is that South Africa has attached a condition to the project."
"That's the third news, the good news."
"The conditions are the exploration rights for gold mines within the territory and the mining rights after gold mines are discovered."
"???"
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 entire exploration rights? Or is it limited to certain areas?"
In Chen Nian's impression, although South Africa exports an astonishing amount of gold every year, 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 it. Mining rights, and the benefits are not very good.
The reason is simple. Wherever they can issue mining licenses, the ore grade is basically lower and mining is more difficult.
Or in other words, it’s the bones that they can’t do themselves that they use for others to do.
If it's still like this this time
Although it is indeed a little better than simple bidding, it is not much better.
Unless South Africa opens up exploration and mining rights throughout the country, this will be considered a breakthrough.
Looking at Chen Nian's expectant eyes, Chen Guo didn't show off, but answered Chen Nian's questions directly one by one.
"It is determined that the gold mining rights will be transferred, but not the entire territory, but a few defined 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 Mine is the largest gold mining area in South Africa and even the world. Since 1886, the gold produced by this mining area has accounted for 22% of the entire world's gold reserves.
Moreover, even twenty years later, the mineable gold reserves in the entire mining area are still as high as 18,000 tons, which is approximately equivalent to the reserves of two and a half United States and 12 Chinas.
Prior to this, the Rand mining area had rarely been open to investment, but now it has broken precedent.
——
Perhaps the difficulty of gold mining has exceeded the cost-effectiveness limit that South Africa can afford?
Chen Nian frowned slightly, and then continued to ask:
"Have you done a feasibility study? If we get the exploration rights, can we make money?"
Chen Guo shook her head slightly and replied:
"The detailed feasibility study has not yet been completed, but according to the data, the rich ores around the Rand mining area have basically been discovered, and the rest are lower-grade ore veins."
"However, we do not rule out the possibility that there are also veins buried at deeper depths."
"As long as the ore grade reaches 4 or above, we will be profitable."
"After all, the current grade of our domestic gold mines is really too low."
Chen Nian nodded slightly. He actually had some understanding of this.
The ore grade of domestic gold mines is generally between 2 and 5, which means that one ton of ore can only extract 2 to 5 grams of gold.
In contrast, the gold ore grades in Africa, especially South Africa, are basically between 5 and 15, and there are even some rich ores that can reach astonishing figures of 30 grams per ton.
Therefore, it is no wonder that after South Africa proposed this condition, domestic policymakers became excited.
After all, if we can get a mine, it will be a huge boost to the domestic gold reserves.
You know, one of the important reasons why the United States can continue to export crises while still standing is its 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 for us to replicate such a global policy. In the short term, we can only rely on accelerating gold production to close the gap.
However, having said that, it still seems a bit too shabby to pick up leftovers from the Rand mining area, right?
Thinking of this, he asked:
"Apart from the Rand mining area? Are there any other areas open to exploration rights?"
"Mainly all in the Witwatersrand basin, including Rand, Clarksdorp, Bottaville, Free State and Evend."
"But if we had to choose, we would definitely choose the Rand area."
"After all, the mineral reserves and proven mineral grades in other areas are relatively poor. If we choose, the risk will be relatively high."
"Huh? Just wait."
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."
“To the west is Klaxdorp.”
"Go east from Johannesburg. This is Swaziland."
“Below Swaziland, that’s Evander??”
Chen Guo heard some changes in Chen Nian's tone, so she quickly came over.
After taking a look, he nodded and said:
"Yes, this is the Evander area."
"It borders Swaziland, and there is a very famous wildlife reserve there called"
"White River Nature Park."
Chen Nian accepted Chen Guo's words without any delay.
"Yes, Baihe Nature Park--how did you know?"
How do I know?
A smile appeared on Chen Nian's face.
I know too much about him!
I remember that in his last life, he was sent to Swaziland on a two-month business trip due to work. There, he also experienced being caught in a police car for no reason, and then after paying 200 yuan, the police car was on the scene. The experience of becoming a taxi.
——
But of course, that's not the point.
Like everyone who has been to Swaziland, the wildlife reserves there are basically must-visit attractions.
The place where Chen Nian checked in was the Baihe Reserve.
So, he was very impressed with this area.
And after 2016, when the news of the discovery of a large gold mine in the Baihe Reserve came out, his impression became even deeper!
In his memory, the preliminary proven gold reserves of the White River deposit reached more than 500 tons, and the ore grade reached 8 grams per ton. This was another surprise given to them by nature after the development of South African gold mines reached the end.
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 infrastructure construction is, it is no big deal here!
In the last life, this deposit was eventually taken over by European companies.
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 is very little competition in this area, and the discounts will not be too high!”
“We don’t want anything else but the exploration and mining rights in this area!”
"Of course, we can't show it so obviously and let those business comrades give us a hard time."
Chen Guo scratched her head subconsciously and asked doubtfully:
"Evande? This is the worst piece of land open to exploration rights. Are you sure we want this piece? Do you think there is a mine here?"
"Must have!"
Chen Nian said firmly.
Chen Guo subconsciously wanted to ask "why", but soon, he suppressed his thoughts.
No matter why.
Don't ask if you shouldn't ask.
So he opened his mouth and replied:
"I can report this strategy up."
"If we really follow this plan, the possibility of us winning the project is still very high."
"But whether the Evendshire area is worth it is a matter for 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 rush."
He leaned back on the chair with satisfaction, thinking to himself:
Exchanging projects for resources is a road that has been traveled for a long time.
However, in this life, maybe we can do better
(End of chapter)
