Chapter 108: Paleo-Weathering of Ancient Landmasses
At Ding Shaoying's request, the guesthouse prepared a banquet-style dinner to host Li Tang and He Runqi.
While traveling, being treated to a proper meal was a welcome relief. Li Tang and He Runqi had expected Director Lai Xiangrong and Luo Qinzhong to join them, but to their surprise, it was just the three of them.
Even more unexpected—there was no alcohol.
Of course, alcohol was placed on the table, and it was good liquor. But Ding Shaoying didn't drink, and Li Tang and He Runqi weren't looking to challenge each other over drinks either.
"Li Tang, He Runqi, I'm truly sorry. I'm not a drinker,"
Ding said with a bit of awkwardness.
"If you two want to drink, I'll keep you company and have just a little."
"We don't want to drink,"
He Runqi replied, happily stuffing his face. For him, alcohol was just a waste of good food. Given his low tolerance, even a small drink would ruin the meal.
Ding had picked up the bottle but hesitated, then sheepishly set it down.
"I know I haven't hosted you well over the past few weeks. I sincerely apologize."
"No need! I've been living here, eating and sleeping without spending a cent—I've probably gained a few pounds. I should be the one embarrassed,"
He Runqi said with a cheerful grin.
With him there, the atmosphere at the table stayed lighthearted.
Li Tang found the dishes quite to his liking, especially the long-life fish. It lived up to its reputation—beautiful presentation, rich aroma, and delicious flavor.
After eating about 70%, he looked up at Ding with a smile.
"Chief Ding, you prepared such a lavish dinner for just the two of us. I assume you have something you want to say?"
Seeing the two young men enjoying their meal, Ding felt comforted, though he himself hadn't eaten much.
"Uh… I've just been waiting for the right opportunity. I simply wanted to share a meal with you two."
"You've taken great care of us during the project. Honestly, we juniors should be the ones treating you,"
Li Tang said courteously.
"It's all the same."
Ding laughed, then hesitated before finally bringing up the matter that had been bothering him.
"Through this project, we've mostly been assisting you. To be honest, our exploration team has benefited tremendously from this experience."
"I've learned a lot too!"
He Runqi added sincerely.
He'd been burying his nose in textbooks recently, acutely aware of his own shortcomings and how little he actually knew.
Li Tang nodded in agreement.
"There are some things I genuinely want to ask you two about,"
Ding continued.
"Specifically regarding the Yunyue Bauxite Project. The way the ore body is situated falls outside our traditional understanding. I've been trying to figure it out—are you applying an entirely new exploration theory?"
He set down his chopsticks and looked intently at Li Tang, eager and focused, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Yes,"
Li Tang answered simply, nodding.
"A theory never seen before?"
Ding had been pulling all-nighters reading up on geological literature and losing hair in the process.
"I've looked through every book I own—I've never seen a deposit like this."
"It's not exactly a brand-new theory,"
Li Tang said calmly.
"Some people have proposed it before, but it's never been verified."
"So it's an immature theory?"
"You could say that."
"Can you share it with me?"
At this point, Ding was practically glowing with enthusiasm—it felt like he'd returned to his student days.
"It's a bit complicated,"
Li Tang admitted, setting his chopsticks down as he considered how to explain.
"No rush. We can talk while we eat,"
Ding reassured him.
After a pause, Li Tang asked,
"Chief Ding, are you familiar with the theory of paleo-landmass formation?"
"I actually am,"
Ding replied, finally feeling like he was back on solid ground.
"Our province and surrounding plains lie on an ancient continental block. Research into that can definitely help with mineral exploration."
"Exactly. The formation of the Yunyue Bauxite Deposit is closely tied to paleo-continents."
"Ancient landmasses formed between roughly 1.8 billion and 460 million years ago, during the Archean Eon,"
Ding recited.
"Over so many geologic ages, the world has changed drastically."
Every time he thought of the vast history of the Earth, he felt his own insignificance—and the fleeting nature of life.
"But I still don't see the connection to this deposit,"
he said, cutting to the point.
Li Tang knew this could be a multi-day lecture, so he simplified:
"Here's the basic idea—when ancient landmasses formed, surface bauxite could've undergone weathering and leaching. Through various processes, bauxite layers formed."
"Oh—"
Ding's eyes lit up. That explanation matched the mainstream theories of bauxite genesis.
"In the area of Tiemu Town, there was likely a lake. Surface runoff or wind transported the bauxite into the lakebed, where it began to accumulate."
"Mhm."
"Later, the lake dried up, leaving the bauxite deposits behind. Over time, tectonic activity altered the mineral layer. Acid rain may have removed sulfides and silica, enriching the ore."
"Got it."
"After that, new layers formed above, compressing the bauxite layer and burying it more than 200 meters underground."
Li Tang's explanation was concise and clear.
"I understand now—"
Ding felt as if a fog had lifted. A sense of clarity and wonder filled him.
After reflecting for a while, he asked:
"Li Tang, based on this paleo-weathering theory, since our entire province lies on an ancient continental block, could it be that there are many more deep bauxite deposits we've never thought to look for?"
"Maybe,"
Li Tang replied nonchalantly. He had already said plenty—it wasn't worth reciting a textbook over dinner.
He picked up his chopsticks again and continued eating.
The truth was, this theory wasn't entirely new. It had been speculated and studied before—but never confirmed or promoted.
No company would risk millions on an unproven theory.
When Li Tang agreed to help Huazhou Aluminum look for bauxite and chose Tiemu Town, he did it for a reason.
This discovery would overturn the old consensus and prove the new theory valid.
In the years that followed, based on the paleo-weathering theory, several more large bauxite deposits were discovered in Huazhou Province.
But that's a story for another time.
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