Chapter 520 Iron Ore Safety

If you want to say that the longest river in the world is, it is the Nile River in Africa. If you want to say that the drainage area is the largest, then it must be the Amazon River.

 Qin Tao sat on the plane and looked at the lush rainforest area below.

This huge area of ​​rainforest plants is called the lungs of the earth. It is the largest green plant area in the world. It helps the earth purify carbon dioxide. The winding river below is even more spectacular.

In addition to its large drainage area, the Amazon River has a very strong flow, which is several times larger than the other three major rivers in the world, the Nile, the Yangtze, and the Mississippi combined. It is precisely because of this that the Amazon River’s mouth is 160 kilometers away from the shore. The sea water inside has become lighter.

 Therefore, there are no bridges on this kind of river, and it is too difficult to build. Especially during the flood season, the river often changes its course.

 More importantly, the river is very wide. At the mouth of the river, it is as wide as 240 kilometers! Near Manaus in the middle reaches, the width of the river also reaches 5 kilometers, and in the lower reaches it reaches 20 kilometers. Therefore, there is no problem in driving a 10,000-ton dragon on it. The depth of the river is basically more than 45 meters, so there is no need to worry about stranding.

 However, it will undoubtedly be very difficult to build a passage here.

 Qin Tao has frowned.

"We have done some research in advance, and now it seems that it is very difficult to build a passage here." Zhang Wenlong, a geological expert on the plane, said: "According to the original idea, we planned to directly cut down the logs and then use Logs are laid on the ground to open a road. However, the traffic conditions of this road are not good. It will be difficult for our heavy-duty vehicles to transport iron ore. It is difficult to transport more than 100 iron ore in a year. Thousands of tons, and, in the rainy season, once it starts raining here and the rivers swell, the water flow is likely to wash away the logs, so there will be no roads.”

Thanks to not being hot-headed and directly agreeing to the conditions of the football people, Qin Tao was a little scared. If he really agreed to the other party's conditions and started building an aircraft carrier, the roads here would be difficult to walk, and not enough iron ore would be transported in the end. Mingzhou Group is about to lose money!

"Mr. Irges, we can't choose the mine here." Qin Tao said to Irges on the plane.

 “Why?” Irges was very surprised.

Qin Tao did come back with the football people, but after coming back, Sagastres had other things to do, so he left all the next inspection of the mine to Irges, who was responsible for it. Take Qin Tao around.

Now, flying on this dilapidated plane over the Amazon River Basin, Qin Tao has directly given the answer.

Why?

Qin Tao's face was very serious: "This is the lungs of the earth. If we open a passage here, we will have to cut down a large number of trees, which will destroy the natural environment. We cannot destroy nature because of our own interests. "

 We want to be environmentally friendly, we cannot destroy nature! This reason is absolutely noble.

Irges frowned: "The transportation here should be the most convenient. If you are not interested here, then we can only go to Piaui State. Although this state is also close to the sea, the coastline is only sixty meters Many kilometers. Transportation is not convenient.”

If none of the three states are suitable, then their navy's plan to own a new aircraft carrier will come to nothing. With that meager military expenditure, it is estimated that they can only buy a second-hand aircraft carrier. Although the French aircraft carrier is useless, Cheap.

With this thought in mind, the plane changed its course and headed for Piaui State.

Most areas of this state are plateaus, and the coastal areas are lowlands and sandy lands. Moreover, the northern Panayba River Delta has many islands, lakes, tributaries, beaches, etc., and its rich ecological resources are almost comparable to those of the Amazon River Basin.

"The mine we explored is just ahead." Irges pointed to a mountain below and said: "This mountain is called the Tracy Mountains. It was found during an aerial survey a few years ago, but due to transportation difficulties , so no company has ever been willing to mine it.”

This kind of place where birds don't poop, usually no one comes to it unless they fly from the sky.

 Transportation difficulties?

Qin Tao looked at the terrain below and said with some curiosity: "Near this mountain, there is a tributary of a river that leads directly to the Panaiba River. Why is transportation difficult?"

 No matter how you look at it, it’s better than the first one.

"Mr. Qin, you don't know something. The rivers here are very shallow. Only inland river vessels with shallow drafts can move in. If inland river vessels are used for transportation, there are no suitable ports along the way, so they have to go directly to the sea. Inland river vessels It cannot sail on the sea, and it is hundreds of nautical miles away from the nearest port. Therefore, transportation is not easy. Vale once came to inspect it, but gave up in the end."

 Shallow draft?

Qin Tao had a smile on his face: "Don't be afraid of this. We have a way. If we dig a deep river channel, will your government agree?"

 Dig a deep channel?

Irges's face was still troubled: "Mr. Qin, this is not easy. The rivers below are different in width. In wide places, the river is slow, so only river sand is deposited. These are easy to clean, but there are also some narrow ones. The water in the river is very fast, and there are washed out pebbles underneath, which cannot be cleaned, so it is not easy to dig the river deep."

"It doesn't matter, it's easy for us, we'll book this mine!" Qin Tao was very satisfied: "Next, we need to go down and have a look, we have to do an on-site inspection."

 Very easy?

Irges suddenly thought of something, and a look of realization appeared on his face: "Yes, I didn't expect that you can easily build islands, and of course you can also easily deepen the river. It seems that , you don’t need our navy to help with transportation, you can complete the transportation task in this river."

 It is difficult for others, but here at Mingzhou Group, there is no difficulty at all. They have special dredgers. It can be said that the mines here are simply tailor-made for Mingzhou Group!

 The next day, we took other means of transportation. After several hours of bumpy terrain, we finally arrived at the Tracy Mountains at noon.

 It is very poor here.

 Piaui State is almost the poorest place in the entire football country. It can only make money by exporting agricultural products. The roads along the way are also quite primitive. Thanks to the lack of rain, otherwise, the roads would be even more difficult to travel.

There is a red rock under his feet. Just by looking at it, he can tell that it must contain iron. Zhang Wenlong knocked off a piece with a hammer and made a preliminary conclusion based on experience: "This is unweathered ferrite, and the iron content is 100%." Above forty, the exact number still needs to be studied with instruments."

"Okay, then we want the mine here!" Qin Tao finally made up his mind: "Next, we need to leave an inspection team here to prepare a detailed report. After we evaluate it, we will officially sign the contract! Preliminary Wish us happy cooperation.”

At this moment, Irges's face became excited: "Mr. Qin, I believe that we will have a happy cooperation! We look forward to the transaction starting as soon as possible. When can you start building an aircraft carrier for us?"

“When the first ship of iron ore is shipped from here.” Qin Tao said: “At that time, we will hold a steel plate cutting ceremony for the aircraft carrier!”

Irges was overjoyed: "That's great!"

At this time, Irges would never know that it would take a long time to transport the first ship of iron ore. After all, it is not easy to open a waterway, and Mingzhou Group even wanted to transport this batch of iron ore. , and also specially built a number of river-sea bulk carriers.

Ten million tons of iron ore is definitely not a small number. You must know that if you only count the sea time, shipping will take one month, and the round trip will take two months. It can make six trips a year. Taking into account loading, customs, etc. Other factors, four trips a year is pretty good.

In this way, even if each bulk carrier can transport 100,000 tons, twenty-five bulk carriers of the same type will be needed.

Therefore, the first shipment of iron ore started to be transported almost half a year later. The construction of the aircraft carrier for them also started at that time. The time was just right. The blocking ship specially built for the Green Innovation Company was just launched. What? There was no delay.

This is something to say later. After Qin Tao returned to China, he saw a large number of people greeting him at the airport, including Xu Lequan, the person in charge of Huating Steel Plant.

"Mr. Qin, you are so awesome. You bought a mine from abroad easily." Xu Lequan said to Qin Tao excitedly: "Now, our domestic steel companies can have a stable source of iron ore!"

Qin Tao frowned and looked at Xu Lequan: "Director Xu, Mr. Xu, when did I say that I would supply iron ore to you?"

This was too rude, but Xu Lequan was not angry: "Mr. Qin, your Mingzhou Group Steel Plant's current iron ore import volume is one million tons per year, and the import volume you obtain from football countries is one million tons per year. Ten million tons. Even if your steel plant doubles in size, it will only require two million tons. What about the remaining eight million tons? We don’t want more, just give us four million tons."

Mingzhou Group Steel Plant has long started importing. In the past, it was from Kangaroo Country. Now that there is iron ore from Football Country, there is definitely no need to import from Kangaroo Country. Moreover, 10 million tons of iron ore, Mingzhou Group has made it clear that it can’t bear it!

"We can put the rest away. We can just fill it between Dali Mountain and Xiaolie Mountain and use it when needed in the future." Qin Tao said, "We have no plans to sell it."

The smile on Xu Lequan's face froze: "You don't plan to sell?"

 Ten million tons of iron ore every year, accounting for half of the domestic iron ore imports!

  (The data for 1996 was not found. The import volume in 1998 was 28 million tons, so it was assumed to be 20 million tons in 1996.)

  Such a large amount of iron ore, Mingzhou Group would rather eat it in its own belly than sell it to a brother factory?

"Yes, we really don't plan to sell it." Qin Tao said: "Although there is a lot of iron ore now, when it arrives, it will not be enough. We have a large demand for steel in the country. In ten years, we will The amount of iron ore imported will reach more than 100 million tons. Our Mingzhou Group alone may need 10 million tons of iron ore every year. Therefore, we are not self-sufficient, and we really do not have the extra strength to support our brother units. "

  Needless to say, the scale is 100 million tons. By 2020, the import volume of iron ore has exceeded 1 billion tons, accounting for 40% of the world's iron ore exports.

 Xu Lequan was completely disappointed.

The output of Huating Steel Plant will increase every year, and the amount of iron ore required is increasing. If you purchase it from abroad, you will have to spend foreign exchange. If you get it from Mingzhou Group, it is a domestic transaction. You can just pay the domestic currency directly. .

 So, after learning that the Mingzhou Group had reached an agreement, he immediately came over. If he didn't take the lead, other domestic steel plants would also come to Qin Tao to purchase iron ore.

It’s just that I didn’t expect that Mingzhou Group never thought about giving it to others. They wanted to use it for themselves!

Mingzhou Iron and Steel Works is also constantly expanding its scale, but they are taking a high-quality route. They don’t like ordinary construction steel. What they smelt are high-quality and expensive products.

 For example, Invar steel, steel for shipbuilding, especially high-strength steel used in aircraft carriers and submarines, etc. Therefore, their steelmaking output is not among the top ten in the country, but in terms of profit, it can definitely be among the top three.

Now that we have cheap iron ore, we still don’t sell it to others and keep it for our own use. This is too petty.

"However, you came at the right time." Qin Tao said: "I just have some ideas. I will tell you about them first, and then you will convey them to other steel companies."

have a thought?

 Xu Lequan was stunned again.

"It's not convenient to say it here. Get in my car and we'll talk in the car."

So, Xu Lequan got into the car.

"Mr. Qin, do you have any suggestions? I will definitely help you convey them." Xu Lequan said.

“I just said that our iron ore imports will increase in the future. If our domestic steel plants do not work together, we will definitely suffer losses when purchasing.” Qin Tao did not pave the way and went straight to the point.

 The motherland has a vast territory and abundant resources, so there is no shortage of iron ore. However, most of the domestic iron ore is poor iron ore. The iron content in many of them is less than 30%, and many of them are still underground, making it very difficult to mine.

Determined by geological tectonic movements, domestic ores mostly exist in the form of fine-grained strips, ooids, and dispersed point structures, or even microscopically fine-grained structures. Some are polymetallic symbiotic composite deposits, and just the first step of beneficiation consumes a lot of energy.

It can even be said that the cost of iron ore imported from abroad is lower than that of domestic iron ore!

Of course, this also depends on the method.

Qin Tao remembers very clearly that for a long time, the domestic demand for iron ore has been getting higher and higher, so it has to be purchased from the international market. In this way, the iron ore producers have the right to speak, and it’s okay. Just raise the price and make the country suffer. Some domestic companies will even deliberately poach other people's orders and raise prices maliciously.

 I’m not good at prospecting, but I’m good at poaching!

At present, domestic steel companies are still doing their own things, but if they want to have a say in iron ore imports, they must work together!

"All steel mills with import needs should come together to form a dedicated import department, and then purchase iron ore through bidding. We will import the iron ore with the best quality and lowest price." Qin Tao said.

Xu Lequan frowned.

"Mr. Qin, this is not easy! First of all, it is very difficult for us to stand together. If we want to import, the import volume and the quota for the big guys will not lead to a quarrel."

Qin Tao said it simply, but the implementation problem is too big. Many domestic steel plants are in a competitive relationship. How easy is it to get everyone to work together?

Mingzhou Group is the leader. The steel produced by Mingzhou Steel Plant is mainly used by Mingzhou Shipyard. It is self-produced and sold, so there is no competition. Competition among other domestic steel plants is becoming fierce.

 Imported steel is the easiest way to reduce production costs and gain high profits and market share. If everyone talks about imports together, who wouldn’t want to order more?

Qin Tao rolled his eyes at Xu Lequan: "You are a top class fighter! Humph, go and tell them that I proposed it. The import quota is based on the annual output of each steel mill! If anyone disagrees, Mr. Qin will be angry, and the consequences will be dire. serious."

 Qin Tao didn't want to show off his authority, but when he thought about the scenes where he was manipulated by iron ore suppliers, he felt annoyed that he hated iron but not steel. He must unite now to avoid being bullied in the future, even if he uses some means.

“Also, in the international market, we have to face competitors from island countries, kimchi countries, etc. Even if we are united, those iron ore suppliers may ignore us!”

Even if we use iron-fisted measures to integrate domestically, what about internationally? We still have to face other competitors!

Those iron ore suppliers can just wait at home to make money, who will take the initiative to come to their door?

"This requires us to take a multi-pronged approach." Qin Tao said: "Currently, the most important exporter of iron ore in the world is Kangaroo Country. The iron ore has good grade and high utilization rate. However, we must not come to the door in a swarm of swarms. Buy, otherwise, a seller’s market will form, and we need to expand iron ore channels in many ways.”

Although the iron ore in the Kangaroo Country is good, the country composed of the descendants of exiled criminals often appears as a clown. Since Qin Tao already holds power, of course he cannot let this country eat too much meat.

 Want to sell iron ore? Come and beg us.

Qin Tao followed his own train of thought and explained: "In addition to Kangaroo Country and Football Country, other countries also have a lot of iron ore, such as Rainbow Country. The situation in this country is very good. We can definitely use this country as our main In addition to purchasing, you can also acquire their mines.”

 Not only purchasing, but also participating in foreign mine development! Mingzhou Group has actually made a start. During this trip to Football Country, they obtained the mining rights of a mine.

"Africa is a continent rich in mineral resources but underdeveloped in economic development. As a country that has always maintained friendly and brotherly relations with Africa, we must of course shoulder the important task of helping Africa better develop its rich resources, drive Africa's economic development, and solve our problems by the way. The source of iron ore.”

It is very important to jointly participate in development. In fact, it is not too late for domestic steel groups to take action in this regard. In 1987, Sinosteel Group cooperated with Rio Tinto to develop the Chana iron ore. In 1992, Shougang acquired the Peruvian iron ore. However, Although they initiated overseas development, they were very slow and the results were poor. Not much iron ore was mined.

There are of course many reasons for this. It is not easy to make a living abroad. If you don’t understand the situation abroad, you will easily get stumbled.

 However, these difficulties should never hinder them. They must complete this task and solve the iron ore import problem through these methods!

“Mr. Qin, do you want your Mingzhou Group to take the lead?” Xu Lequan asked.

"Me?" Qin Tao shook his head: "I'm not interested. Our Mingzhou Group will not be short of iron ore in ten years, and we will have our own path in the future. This is the path you must take."

 You can’t always feed him by yourself. After feeding him, he will become an Adou who cannot be supported. They must be encouraged to take active action on their own.

 Qin Tao doesn’t have that need.

 By the time he said this, Qin Tao had already arrived home.

“Um, I’m sorry, Director Xu, I’m already home, should I ask Xiangyang to take you back?”

"No, my car is following behind." Xu Lequan said: "Mr. Qin, I will convey your proposal seriously and strive to let domestic enterprises unite to solve our iron ore gap. I I also want to ask you for advice, can you give us some advice?"

The car has stopped. Qin Tao thought for a moment and then said: "In fact, we also have special iron-rich areas in our country. You can use this as a bargaining chip when negotiating with foreign businessmen."

 The grade of domestic iron ore is too low, and most of it is poor iron ore. This statement is actually unreasonable, and there is one place that is not included: the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau!

The Cuoqin rich iron ore area at the southern foot of the Gangdise Mountains, the Shiquan River area in western Tibet and other places are all areas rich in mineral resources. If the iron ore is developed there, there will be no need to import iron ore into the country. Stone.

Of course, it is not easy to develop it. Just building a road back then required a lot of sacrifices. There is no railway now, so even if there is a way to mine it, there is no way to transport it!

Although there is no way to develop it now, you can go out and fool people.

　Do you want to sell it? If we don't sell it, we will make up our minds to develop our own iron ore. We are just doing it for convenience. As long as you are willing to sell us iron ore at a suitable price, we will not develop it.

 This can be considered a trick.

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 (End of this chapter)