Chapter 357: The Best Copper Deposit
The distance from the provincial capital of Katanga, Congo, to the project area was approximately 250 kilometers.
A paved road led directly to a nearby town, followed by about ten kilometers of muddy dirt road to reach the actual project site.
The surrounding area was flat, marking the frontier between lush greenery and encroaching desert. The gradual color shift from green to yellow clearly defined the boundary where exploration activities began.
"The drilling rigs have already reached the town," Frando informed Li Tang.
Frando, being from Jia Country, didn't observe the Chinese New Year and had remained onsite throughout this period. He had already obtained exploration permits, contacted equipment rental companies, and purchased several drilling rigs outright. Local workers had been recruited, trained ahead of schedule, and were ready to begin immediately.
"We'll start drilling directly within the zone I marked earlier," Li Tang instructed. He wasn't entirely sure about the exact location of the copper deposits beneath the sand. If not for the thick covering of desert sand, this deposit of chalcocite should have surfaced, visibly stretching for tens of kilometers across the region.
Given the vast extent of the desert margin, pinpointing the deposit's precise location was challenging. The only feasible method was continuous drilling—penetrating through sand and deeper rock layers until reaching the copper-bearing horizons below.
"Let's begin with several air drills, probing up to 100 meters deep to identify the ore layer. Once we locate it, subsequent work will become much easier."
Frando had previously visited copper mines in the south, observing the characteristics of mineralization in the Central African Copperbelt. Here, ore layers tended to appear as continuous strata, like shale, stacked one upon another. Once a single borehole confirmed the presence of ore, it would reliably indicate extensive mineral layers underground.
Sedimentary deposits were straightforward to trace, following predictable inclinations and angles. Among all ore types, sedimentary deposits were generally the easiest and most convenient to prospect, especially for large-scale reserves.
Li Tang personally preferred sedimentary-type deposits because of their simplicity and predictability.
"Go ahead and start drilling," Li Tang agreed, confident that exploration in this area wouldn't be overly complicated. The primary difficulty had already been overcome—the belief that rich copper deposits lay concealed beneath the desert sand.
The flat terrain made drilling operations quite convenient, allowing rapid progress with air drills. Within a few days, initial drilling goals would likely be achieved.
Li Tang returned to stay temporarily in the provincial capital. Within a week, he revisited the project site.
"Come and take a look—is this the chalcocite layer?" Frando, having received a call about the discovery, eagerly accompanied Li Tang to the project site.
Li Tang squatted down, examining the freshly drilled rock cores. The drill hole had barely penetrated 20 to 30 meters underground, having only just passed through sand layers and reached bedrock a few meters beneath.
Holding a rock core in his hand, Li Tang gently rubbed its surface with his fingertips, feeling a slight granular texture.
"Siltstone," he remarked, squeezing the core gently until it easily crumbled in his hand. "Highly weathered. Clearly, these rock layers were once exposed on the surface before the sand buried them underground."
"Do these weathered siltstones seem unusual to you?" Frando, experienced in geological exploration, had clearly noticed something special.
"Yes. There are two layers. The uppermost, heavily weathered section contains visible coarse-grained chalcopyrite."
Li Tang pointed at relatively well-preserved pieces of rock. "See these gold-colored grains here? That's chalcopyrite."
Picking up another core from deeper down—approximately 30 meters below—he indicated a thin streak: "Below that, in these unweathered rock sections, this thin layer is clearly finely disseminated chalcocite."
Li Tang spoke calmly, confidently, showing deep geological expertise and ease in identifying the minerals.
Frando couldn't hide his admiration, raising his thumb in approval. "You recognized it instantly! Truly, you're a top-tier exploration expert!"
He pointed at the rock core in Li Tang's hand. "We've already tested this. The copper sulfide content exceeds 5%."
"It seems we've found the copper-bearing layer," Li Tang acknowledged with a slight smile, still remaining calm and composed. "Your guess was right—this region beneath our feet is indeed an extension of the Copperbelt."
"Yes! We found it!"
Frando laughed heartily and pointed again at the core Li Tang was holding. "Look, the chalcocite layer clearly shows a sedimentary-type deposit!"
With a snap of his fingers, an assistant promptly opened a toolkit, meticulously prepared a cigar, and handed it lit to Frando. Instead of smoking it himself, Frando passed the cigar to Li Tang. "Come, have a cigar with me. Let's celebrate our initial success!"
"It is indeed worth celebrating," Li Tang agreed, taking the cigar without hesitation. Drawing smoke into his mouth, he let it swirl before exhaling. "Now that we've identified the ore-bearing horizon, it indicates tremendous potential here. Let's increase our exploration efforts—I'm convinced this area holds a substantial, intact copper deposit!"
"Absolutely! Our vision and judgment have clearly been validated!" Frando beamed with joy. For a global mineral exploration adventurer, nothing was more exciting than discovering significant ore deposits.
"No one would believe copper ore layers lie just 20 meters beneath the desert sand!" Frando laughed openly.
"Actually, we should thank desertification for covering it up. But, honestly, if we have the chance, we should properly manage this desertification and prevent its further spread." Despite his business ambitions, Li Tang cared deeply about environmental preservation.
"After earning big money from mining, we can handle desert control!" Frando joked halfheartedly. He then gestured toward an assistant, who quickly brought forth a large champagne bottle from the vehicle.
"Come, my friend! Let's celebrate our success!"
"Cheers!" Standing in the wilderness, Li Tang raised a glass of expensive golden champagne, clinking glasses enthusiastically with Frando.
The crisp sound echoed through the open landscape. Drinking deeply, they gazed across the vast, flat terrain, their hearts filled with pride, as though they had conquered this untamed wilderness.
Together, they named this newly discovered copper deposit the Kakula Copper Mine.
Drilling operations progressed with remarkable speed thereafter. Having identified the ore layer, it became straightforward to predict nearby mineralized layers' positions and depths, systematically verifying their assumptions through drilling.
Repeated confirmations proved their hypotheses entirely accurate!
The chalcocite ore was extraordinarily rich! The average grade in the richest sections exceeded 5%, with even more concentrated intervals surpassing 8%! Moreover, many drill holes encountered exceptionally thick mineralization, some layers genuinely exceeding five meters in thickness, and in rare cases, even fifteen meters!
Such a copper deposit was rare worldwide. While the Central African Copperbelt ranked third globally and had previously produced deposits of several million tons, no known deposit had exhibited such high quality, grade, and thickness.
The scale of this discovery appeared substantial, clearly marking Kakula as the most enriched deposit found during decades of exploration in this copper belt.
Meanwhile, major breakthroughs also occurred at the Malihe Iron Ore project on Jia Country's Bafen Island. Drilling deeper had confirmed extensive, well-preserved iron ore layers underground.
Thus, Frando temporarily diverted his attention back to Jia Country to oversee the Malihe Iron Ore project, arranging its next phase.
Li Tang preferred to avoid Jia Country temporarily. The previous year's arrest in Vancouver hadn't deeply affected him personally, but had severely frightened his parents. To prevent any further incidents, limiting his visits to Jia Country was prudent.
While Frando was away, Li Tang remained on-site with He Runqi and other colleagues, closely monitoring progress and providing technical guidance.
Thousands of kilometers away in Yanjing, major mining corporations anxiously awaited news, constantly vigilant and prepared for any updates.
Niu Fu received an unexpected visitor explicitly requesting to speak with Zhongcheng Mining's owner, prompting him to call in Qin Jianshe.
The visitor introduced himself as Wang Wengen, head of Zhengwei International Group, a large high-tech enterprise based in Yuezhou Province. Wang explained that his company was rapidly expanding across major cities, investing billions into copper wire manufacturing facilities.
Clearly interested in cooperation, Wang hoped to secure copper metal supplies, particularly anticipating Zhongcheng Mining's promising Tallegh Copper-Gold Mine in Meng Country entering production soon.
As global copper demand surged and international copper prices reached nearly $7,000 per ton, Wang emphasized mutual benefits, envisioning strategic, long-term collaboration between their enterprises.
Listening closely, Niu Fu and Qin Jianshe recognized potential opportunities for significant partnerships ahead.
"It was also just a brief price decline—it rebounded almost immediately afterward," Wang Wengen said with obvious pride. "Back then, when I insisted on investing heavily in acquiring mining rights to expand our business upstream, my whole family opposed me. Fortunately, I persisted, and now everyone at home admires my decisiveness."
"Given the prices then and now, your investment has probably returned more than tenfold!" Niu Fu was genuinely astonished to learn of Wang Wengen's substantial foresight and resources.
"When I bought those mining rights, copper prices were below three thousand USD per ton. Today's copper prices are simply outrageous," Wang said, his smile sincere and heartfelt.
Just a year ago, copper prices were slightly over three thousand USD, and now they had surged to seven thousand USD. The price had more than doubled in just a year! Moreover, numerous media outlets and the three largest metal exchanges globally continued reporting copper inventories below one hundred thousand tons, signaling continued supply shortages.
Under these circumstances, it was clear that copper prices had not yet reached their peak. Which sector benefited most from such conditions? Without doubt—copper mine developers!
Copper ore prices directly tracked fluctuations in copper metal prices. Conversely, companies like Zhengwei International Group, whose core business involved copper processing, faced considerable pressure. High raw copper prices inevitably raised production costs, and they couldn't always pass these costs on to their customers immediately. Most copper wire buyers were major state-owned electric companies with stringent pricing regulations, though Zhengwei was also aggressively expanding into more sophisticated high-tech markets.
"The price increase has been astonishingly fast, almost rocket-like," Niu Fu admitted, a bit surprised himself.
"Our group plans to invest in several cities across northern China, setting up multiple facilities for precision copper wire production, each with annual capacities of around 100,000 tons. In total, our projects will require hundreds of thousands of tons of copper annually."
Wang Wengen delivered this statement calmly, without excessive bravado. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of copper consumption mentioned startled Niu Fu and Qin Jianshe.
Several hundred thousand tons annually? And these were just their newly planned projects. Such demand spoke volumes about Zhengwei International Group's financial power and ambition, far surpassing their earlier expectations.
Niu Fu and Qin Jianshe exchanged a meaningful glance, both now taking Wang Wengen seriously as they realized the magnitude of the person they were dealing with. Truly, companies from Yuezhou Province possessed global ambition, rapidly expanding domestic operations with an international perspective.
"Are you looking to directly purchase copper from our Wukuang Group, or are you aiming to secure future production from Zhongcheng Mining?" Niu Fu asked directly, his expression serious.
"I understand Wukuang Group has extensive investments in copper mining. Recently, I heard you're pursuing the acquisition of a large enterprise in Jia Country, specifically targeting its copper mines," Wang responded, his smile unchanging. "My visit today is primarily to introduce myself and express my hope for future support from General Manager Niu, General Manager Qin, and Wukuang Group."
So this was essentially a courtesy visit?
When the topic turned to acquiring Noranda Company, Niu Fu felt a deep pang of regret. If only they had completed the acquisition at last year's price of six billion USD! Viewed with today's copper prices, that price was astonishingly cheap. Now, acquiring Noranda would undoubtedly cost much more—perhaps even double or more—as Noranda's subsidiary, Falconbridge, had seen its share prices skyrocket alongside copper's meteoric rise.
Global capital had turned sharply toward mineral resources, recognizing mining as a hugely profitable venture. Every mining company, large or small, was experiencing stock price increases.
Just then, there was a polite knock, and Lang Hemin entered, surprised to see a visitor alongside Niu Fu and Qin Jianshe. "A guest?"
Wang Wengen stood up quickly, politely asking, "May I know who this is?"
Niu Fu quickly introduced the newcomer, "This is Chairman Lang Hemin of Wukuang Group. Chairman Lang, this is Mr. Wang Wengen from Yuezhou Province, head of Zhengwei International Group."
"I've heard of you," Lang Hemin said warmly, gesturing everyone to sit down. He didn't wish to engage too deeply in day-to-day business discussions and had only come to deliver an important announcement. "I hope I'm not interrupting something?"
"Not at all," Wang Wengen assured politely. "If you have something urgent, I can step out momentarily."
"It's nothing confidential, just some positive news that everyone can hear," Lang Hemin smiled amicably, turning to Niu Fu and Qin Jianshe. "The Chinese embassy in Congo has just transmitted excellent news back home. Our higher-ups know Wukuang Group's recent interest in copper, so they prioritized informing us."
"Congo?" Niu Fu appeared puzzled. "We have no business interests there. How could we receive good news related to that country?"
Qin Jianshe quickly guessed, "Li Tang met me briefly after Chinese New Year, then immediately went to Congo. Could this good news be related to Li Tang?"
Hearing the name "Li Tang," Wang Wengen perked up immediately, settling deeper into his seat. He had intended to politely withdraw but now stayed firmly planted, fully attentive.
Lang Hemin nodded cheerfully. "Exactly, it's about Li Tang!"
"What has that kid done now in Congo?" Niu Fu asked, suddenly wary. "He hasn't been arrested again, has he?"
"If he'd been arrested again, it wouldn't be good news," Lang Hemin laughed, handing Niu Fu a document. "Li Tang discovered a new copper deposit—Kakula Copper Mine—in southern Congo."
"Rich ore sections averaging 5% copper with thicknesses averaging five meters?" Niu Fu read aloud, eyes widening in shock. "Overall average grade at 2.5%, total reserves already surpassing ten million tons, with expected total reserves exceeding twenty million tons!"
He looked up at Lang Hemin for confirmation, stunned. "Are these figures accurate?"
"Straight from our embassy—absolutely reliable," Lang Hemin affirmed.
Wang Wengen silently processed this revelation. Earlier, he had proudly spoken about Zhengwei Group's smaller copper deposit of merely one million tons, which paled dramatically compared to this massive discovery. Everyone dreamed of owning large-scale deposits, yet such opportunities were usually tightly controlled by mining giants. He had visited Wukuang Group precisely because he sought access to major deposits like Qulong and Talege Copper-Gold Mine. But even Talege Copper-Gold Mine's impressive average grade of 1.3% was nothing compared to Kakula's remarkable 2.5% average and over 5% in the richest sections.
Such exceptionally high grades made Kakula globally outstanding. In mining, ore grade was paramount; mining a ton of copper from 1% ore costs five times as much as from 5% ore. Kakula Copper Mine was easily ten times richer than Qulong's mere 0.3% grade.
"Let me see," Qin Jianshe hurriedly read the document himself, equally astonished. "High grade, shallow depth, sedimentary deposit—these figures look unbelievable." Yet, deep down, he fully trusted these findings. Li Tang's track record had consistently proven correct.
Lang Hemin added thoughtfully, "Even the international mining giants exploring the Central African Copperbelt never imagined they missed such a huge deposit right under their noses!"
Everyone wondered aloud how Li Tang and Frando had located this remarkable deposit while global giants had failed to detect it, especially given its shallow depth and 30-kilometer surface strike length.
"Maybe foreign companies were selectively blind while exploring," joked Niu Fu.
"Li Tang's prospecting methods have always been unconventional. We'll have to wait until he returns for the full story," Qin Jianshe remarked knowingly.
Everyone was deeply impressed by this groundbreaking discovery. Niu Fu studied the document again, marveling, "The world's largest copper mine in Chile produces over a million tons annually with average grades of only 1%–2%. If Kakula's reserves are confirmed, it would truly be unique globally."
"Exploration has only just begun, and we already have tens of millions of tons. Who knows how much more we'll discover?" Lang Hemin remarked excitedly. "With international copper prices so high, this deposit is priceless."
"Li Tang again," sighed Niu Fu, reflecting how this find would undoubtedly reshape the global copper market.
"Indeed, Li Tang again," Qin echoed more calmly, accepting this news almost as expected. Li Tang had repeatedly proven his extraordinary ability to find major deposits globally, especially in copper.
"Li Tang's global track record is already legendary," Lang Hemin concluded, noting Li Tang's discoveries now spanned Asia, America, Australia, and Africa—universally acclaimed in the mining industry.
After a long silence, Wang Wengen raised his head, smiling instinctively, and asked softly, "When does Li Tang return home?"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen