Chapter 88: Good News
"Really?" Luo Qinzhong had heard numerous pessimistic comments from Bi Junjie and Ding Shaoying about the Yunyue Bauxite Project over the past few weeks. Deep down, he'd already given up hope. After all, those two were well-known geological experts in the province, and their words carried considerable weight. Because of that, he hadn't followed up on the project's progress lately.
"Take a look at this sample analysis result."
Ding Shaoying handed over the report and explained, "Based on the analysis, our first drill hole struck ore. The alumina content reached 64%, and the thickness was 3.5 meters."
"Wow, that's real!"
Luo Qinzhong was pleasantly surprised. The numbers on the lab report were indeed excellent.
"The industrial grade for alumina is 50%. This find qualifies as a high-quality ore body—even by Huazhou Province standards," Ding Shaoying added.
"It's just a pity the Al/Si ratio is slightly low—it didn't hit 7," Luo Qinzhong said, somewhat regretfully.
The aluminum-to-silicon ratio (Al/Si) is crucial in metallurgy. A higher ratio makes refining easier and more cost-effective, since silicon is hard to dissolve and raises processing costs when present in large amounts.
In terms of metallurgy, Luo Qinzhong clearly knew his stuff. He sighed, "Our current mine has a similar profile—low Al/Si ratio. Actually, most mines across the country are like this. Still, the grade of this bauxite is really impressive!"
"This is just the first hole. I think we need to carry out more drilling and conduct more detailed studies to fully understand the ore body," Ding Shaoying said.
"We actually found bauxite…" Luo Qinzhong murmured.
At that moment, he felt just like Ding Shaoying had earlier—like he was in a dream, unable to fully believe it.
They had both been fed too much doubt and skepticism. He had started questioning Li Tang's judgment.
Sometimes, he felt Li Tang was just too stubborn—completely dismissing the opinions of senior experts, acting like a reckless maverick.
Now, looking back, he felt a pang of guilt. It was he who had invited Li Tang to the project—and he had doubted him.
Thinking of Li Tang, he looked around the room. Not seeing him, his eyes fell on a small, dark-faced young man. "He Runqi, Li Tang's not back from Tibet yet?"
"No, not yet," He Runqi replied, shaking his head.
"Now that he's not here, what do we do next?" Luo Qinzhong had regained his faith in Li Tang. "Should I call him now and have him come back?"
Ding Shaoying actually wished Li Tang were present, as he had many unresolved questions.
But after thinking it over, he shook his head. "No need to call him back just yet. Since we've struck ore on the first hole, our next step is to ramp up drilling. Li Tang would've done the same. Our goal is now clear—we need to determine whether this is just a small, lens-shaped pocket or a large, continuous deposit."
"Good. Based on the project's early budget and work plan—are we within the financial limit, or do we need to revise and resubmit the design?"
Now that ore had been found, Luo Qinzhong naturally had to ensure proper logistical support, especially when it came to funding.
As long as they'd found ore, money wouldn't be a problem for the plant.
"Director Luo, I must apologize. If Li Tang were here, I'd offer him a sincere apology as well."
Ding Shaoying bowed slightly, genuinely remorseful. "In hindsight, it's clear Li Tang's judgment was wise and correct. I was short-sighted and dismissed the project's potential too easily when drafting the initial plan. From today onward, I'll draft a brand-new plan and ensure we fully investigate the bauxite deposit."
"You're being too hard on yourself, Chief Engineer Ding."
Seeing Ding Shaoying bow his head, Luo Qinzhong quickly reached out to stop him.
"Director Luo, I have another small request. If Elder Bi is available, I hope he can come to the site. His opinion would be very valuable."
"Absolutely."
While they were deep in conversation, Lai Xiangrong passed by the office and peeked in. "Still working overtime? Where's Li Tang? Not joining us for dinner?"
Everyone turned to look—outside, the sky was already dark.
"We're discussing the Yunyue Bauxite Project. We'll work a bit longer. Li Tang had an urgent matter and went to Tibet," Luo Qinzhong replied as he stood up.
"Don't skip dinner! Don't work too late," Lai Xiangrong said with a wave, then turned and left.
Luo Qinzhong had intended to tell him about the bauxite discovery but decided against it when he saw him walk away.
Maybe it was better to wait until the overall situation became clearer. Talking about it now would be premature.
After sending Ding Shaoying and the others off, it was already late at night.
The next morning, after much thought, Luo Qinzhong finally picked up the landline and dialed Li Tang's cell.
"Li Tang, we hit ore on the first drill hole at the Yunyue Bauxite Project—and the result is promising." He went straight to the point, leading with the good news.
"Mm, I figured," Li Tang replied calmly, as if he had expected it.
"If you've wrapped up over there, come back soon. This project needs your oversight. Let me know before you return to Huazhou so I can send a car to pick you up at the airport."
"Alright."
After the short call, Li Tang looked up at Chen Jinhe and said apologetically, "Sorry, that was a call from Huazhou Aluminum Plant."
Every time Li Tang saw Chen Jinhe, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This plain-looking, dark-skinned middle-aged man looked like an ordinary farmer—yet he had led Zise Mining to the global stage.
Chen Jinhe smiled warmly, understanding. "No problem at all."
"Shall we talk while we walk?"
They strolled beneath a grand palace. Red and white walls stood tall under a blue sky and drifting clouds—a breathtaking sight.
Li Tang and Chen Jinhe walked side by side out front, followed closely by the rest of their entourage.
"President Chen, from our earlier call, I remember you saying that you were ready to invest heavily in copper-gold exploration in Tibet?" Li Tang recalled.
"That's the idea. But we don't yet have a concrete plan."
"Are you aware that the site selection and feasibility report for Qu Long Copper Mine were all prepared by me?"
"I heard that from Zhao Hepu." Chen Jinhe offered another word of praise. "You're impressive. It's a shame you're with Wu Mining Group. Otherwise, I'd have already poached you for Zise."
"In Tibet, I feel like an eagle soaring through the sky—at one with the clouds and mountains. No one knows the mineral potential of this land better than I do."
Li Tang rarely boasted, but this time he was determined to secure the cooperation.
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