Author: September Sauce

A few days later, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hu Wanyou was sitting 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 on 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 be said to have 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 superior to 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 must know that 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, he is 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 do not work in the same company, they are considered seniors and have worked together before, so they are acquaintances, so Hu Wanyou's tone is 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, it is not certain that we can 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 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 somewhat 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 want 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 only applied to us for exploration rights in part of the West Rand, covering some small veins on the west side of the current Rand main 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 need 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 very long. The principal will not be repaid within 20 years, only the interest will be repaid.

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 those 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, South Africa wins.

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 Bombella Consortium.

However, since the two parties have already 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 bid opening results 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 received was no.
To be continued...