A few days later, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Hu Wanyou sat in the office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, quietly waiting for the next meeting.
He is a representative of MCC Saidi Company. This time he was assigned by the Office of Democratic Development to come to South Africa with the purpose of negotiating with the South African side regarding gold exploration matters in the Evander-White River area.
He had a habitual calm smile on his face, but in fact, his heart was not as calm as he showed.
the reason is simple.
This time, the prospect of the mining area they want to capture is too uncertain.
He is a veteran who has been involved in gold mining for more than 30 years. He first started in geological exploration and later took over the global investment work of MCC Saidi.
It can be said that he cannot say that he has a 100% understanding of all the gold mines in the world, but he can at least reach 80%.
Among them, his research on South African gold mines is far better than that on other gold mines.
In his opinion, are there any mines in Baihe?
there must be.
It is located within the Kaapvar Archean Craton and is also on the extension line of the main Rand vein. No one will believe you if you say there is no mineral at all there.
But, how many are there?
You know, the Baihe area is already on the edge of the craton. According to general experience, the gold reserves in this kind of place will not be too rich.
In other words, not rich.
Moreover, it is not only not rich, but also extremely difficult to mine, because most of the edges of the craton are rigid rock formations. Its texture is very hard and is far less easy to mine than those sandstone terrains.
If this mining area is really exchanged for a high-speed rail project worth more than 30 billion yuan, South African officials will probably laugh out loud, right?
So, who gave the domestic decision-makers the confidence to make such a judgment?
Hu Wanyou shook his head and did not continue to think about it.
He looked at Li Jing sitting beside him and asked:
"Xiao Jing, are you confident this time?"
Although the two of them did not work in the same company, they were considered seniors. They had collaborated before and were acquaintances, so Hu Wanyou's tone was relatively casual.
Hearing his question, Li Jing shook her head and replied:
"The only thing we know for sure is that there must be gold mines in that area."
"However, the amount of reserves and grade can only be determined after further exploration is completed."
"This is a bit of a gamble. If we can discover the gold mine first, we will have a greater say in the subsequent mining rights negotiations - or, in other words, we may not be able to get it directly."
“At least we no longer need to compete with the Bombella consortium, it’s just a matter between us and the Ministry of Mines.”
Hu Wanyou sighed softly and said in agreement:
"So, actually, the situation is clear for all of us."
"And, compared to what you said, the situation this time is actually more serious."
"The exploration rights and mining rights are released simultaneously, so we can only make the decision without regrets."
"That's right."
The two looked at each other with worried looks in their eyes.
At this moment, the office door opened, and the key person they had been waiting for finally arrived.
The visitor is Carver, the Minister of Mines and Energy of South Africa. He will be overall responsible for the gold mine-related part of this "exchange". Next, the negotiations between the two parties will completely determine the bargaining chips in this exchange.
The first time he saw Carver, Hu Wanyou stood up immediately and greeted him with his signature smile.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Carver."
"Good afternoon, Wanyou."
Carver said in not fluent Chinese.
Then, he pulled out the chair behind his desk and sat down. While sorting out the documents that were still messy and scattered on the desk, he said:
"I heard that you have already made a decision on the selection of exploration areas?"
Hu Wan nodded and replied:
"Yes, according to the instructions from our superiors, we have determined the mining area we want to exchange for."
"Oh, that's nice."
Carver's tone was calm, but it vaguely revealed an unquestionable majesty.
"However, before we officially start communicating, I would like to give you a piece of advice."
"Don't be too greedy."
"You know, I have just concluded negotiations with the Bombela Consortium. To be honest, they don't want much."
"They have only applied for exploration rights from us for part of the West Rand, covering some small veins on the west side of the current main Rand vein."
"According to estimates by professional organizations, the total value of this mining area is approximately US$1.5 billion - this is the total price they proposed."
"You know, they have no intention of asking us for a penny in the construction of the Gauteng high-speed rail."
"We can get a loan from their bank and the only thing we have to pay in 20 years is the interest."
After hearing his words, Hu Wanyou's eyes narrowed slightly.
Although he has never been exposed to projects such as high-speed rail, he has actually done many large-scale mining infrastructure projects and is familiar with the financing process.
So he knew as soon as he heard that the quotation method used by the Bombella consortium this time could be said to be the most radical one.
The loan is provided in full, and the loan period is super long. The principal will not be repaid within 20 years, only interest.
Taken together, such a quotation can almost be said to be a loss-making quotation.
The only thing that can make money, apart from subsequent maintenance and expansion work, is the few small gold mines.
And for the gold mines they invest in South Africa, they still need to pay money and taxes to South African officials.
——
Win-win? No, it was South Africa that won.
Under such conditions, the other party's favorability towards the Bombela Consortium can almost be said to be maxed out.
But fortunately, this is not something Hu Wanyou needs to consider.
He did not hesitate, but said directly:
"I think my colleagues from China Railway Group will discuss this condition with you."
"My job is just to present our options for the mine."
"Then just tell me and listen."
Carver said without looking up.
In fact, he has given up hope that China will take over the Gauteng high-speed rail project.
The Bombela Consortium's offer is so low, even if China follows through, it will be the same as them at most.
But when the price is the same, why should we choose Huaxia?
It is true that their technology is equally advanced, but after all, they have not experienced the experience of large-scale projects. In terms of maturity, they are definitely not as mature as Bombardier like the Bombela Consortium.
However, since the two parties have communicated before, even if it is out of politeness, they have to listen to their quotation.
Carver secretly made up his mind, and after Hu Wanyou revealed the mining area they wanted, he immediately refused.
After all, he knew that the value of the land the other party wanted would not be too low, otherwise it would be impossible to make up for their losses in the high-speed rail project.
However, the next second, after Hu Wanyou spoke, he froze on the spot.
“We want prospecting and mining rights in the Evander-White River area.”
Carver finally put down the document in his hand. Then, he looked directly into Hu Wanyou's eyes and asked with disbelief:
"What?"
"Tell me again, where do you want to go?"
"We lost the bid!"
In the office of Bombela Consortium, the commercial director of Bombardier said seriously.
Just a few hours ago, they received the results of the tender opening for the Gauteng High Speed Rail project.
——
Although this is not a completely standardized and standard bidding, there is no doubt that the result is also unchangeable.
The unchangeable result is that China has won the construction rights of the Gauteng High-Speed Railway, and China Railway Corporation is responsible for it.
As soon as he received the news, he immediately used all the resources at hand to confirm whether there was still room for recovery, but the answer he got was no.
Later, he asked someone to inquire about China's bidding conditions, hoping to make himself more clear.
But just after asking about it, he was completely shocked.
Not only did the other party maintain a quotation and loan policy that was completely consistent with its own in terms of business, but in terms of gold mining rights, which should have been an important condition, they were actually ruthless and only wanted an area with extremely low valuation!
Evander-White River area.
There are indeed gold mines in that area, both from historical records and field surveys.
But is it really worth that much?
Our proposed West Rand area is worth US$1.5 billion, but what about the Evander-White River area?
It would be great if it was worth 300 million US dollars!
Making such a choice presents only one problem:
The Chinese people are determined to win the Gauteng high-speed rail project.
They don't even care about losing money. Their purpose is to get this ticket and gamble on the profits of the subsequent expansion plan.
Such a strategy is too radical.
The person in charge of Bombardier sighed heavily. He looked around the venue and then continued:
"At this point, there is no room for recovery."
"The project cooperation has not been achieved. Our mission has failed. What we need to solve now is how to report to the employer."
"I think everyone knows very well that in order to win this project, investors from Wall Street have invested huge amounts of money in us."
"But now, that's all gone."
"I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation."
After hearing his words, someone in the middle of the conference room raised his hand and said:
"We probably don't need an explanation."
The person in charge looked at him and asked:
"Why?"
The man replied calmly:
"Because, under the Chinese offer, no company or investor in the world can compete with them."
"We need to understand that we want to win this project to make a profit, not to defeat them."
"Now that they have chosen a completely unprofitable solution, what's the point of competing with them?"
"This is very simple logic. I think our investors will never blame us for such a ridiculous 'failure'."
After hearing his words, the person in charge was stunned for a moment.
Then, his heart suddenly became enlightened.
yes.
I am just a businessman, and I am not given too many so-called "strategic" considerations when performing the tasks of an investor.
The decision you make is correct in every aspect.
So, what do you have to worry about?
What should be worried is probably the China Railway Group, which is about to suffer heavy losses, and the Chinese officials behind them.
Not long after, in the office of May Meeting.
Houston looked at the report in front of him with satisfaction, with a smile on his face as if the conspiracy had succeeded.
He looked at the assistant opposite and said while smoking a cigar:
"This time, we finally beat them."
"They probably thought that the Gauteng high-speed rail expansion project would recover their losses."
"It's a pity that they don't know at all, this is just a lie!"
The assistant opposite nodded slightly. Although there was no expression on his face, deep down, he was as proud as Houston.
After months, or even years of planning, and with the help of capital and public opinion, they finally made the Gauteng high-speed rail project a hit.
In the eyes of almost all investors in the world, this project is the starting point for large-scale high-speed rail projects in Africa. Not to mention other countries, as long as this high-speed rail project is completed, South Africa is bound to continue to promote high-speed rail construction. Large-scale expansion will make The builder who is the first to enter the market earns a lot of money.
This is a smooth and correct logic.
But the premise of correct logic is that the project is real.
But the problem is, the project is not real!
In other words, the real part only accounts for a small part of the propaganda.
Yes, South Africa does want to build the Gauteng high-speed rail.
However, the purpose of building this high-speed railway is not at all to boost the economy of the entire country and shorten the distance between cities as advertised.
Rather, it serves as a business card for the 2010 South Africa World Cup, using the most eager for quick success to obtain the greatest publicity results, thereby attracting more capital to enter South Africa!
In essence, the Gauteng high-speed rail project has the same purpose as the Los Angeles-San Francisco high-speed rail project.
The Los Angeles project at least has real social significance, but the Gauteng high-speed rail has no other value other than attracting more scammers.
But now, the Chinese have become the first to be taken advantage of.
Thinking of this, the assistant said:
"Chinese people once said that lies should be nine truths and one falsehood."
"In this operation, we finally grasped the core."
"I have to say that in some aspects, their wisdom is indeed amazing."
"It's just that they may not have imagined that such wisdom would eventually harm themselves."
"They deserve that!"
Houston spit out the tobacco leaves in his mouth and said with a little disdain.
During this period of time, he has been shrouded in the shadow of China for too long.
Now that he finally had a chance to feel proud, he had no intention of holding back any longer.
Although it only cost them a small price, they also wanted everyone in the world to see their failure.
Otherwise, who can I talk to about my careful layout?
So, after thinking for a moment, he said:
"Notify all media outlets and ask them to release the news."
"Make it public that China won the Gauteng high-speed rail project."
"As for keywords"
"Reconstruction aid, charity."
"That's right, just these two!"
The power is out, I will write again tomorrow.
Three chapters and twelve thousand words will be updated tomorrow.
(End of chapter)
