Chapter 120: Pioneer and Trailblazer
Li Tang didn't dare move a muscle, afraid that the slightest motion might startle the trembling old man sitting next to him.
He finally understood: this group was made up entirely of retired senior experts—people with too much time on their hands who had come looking for something to do.
Rather than wasting away in a retirement home, continuing to contribute to mineral exploration was their greatest source of pride and satisfaction.
He didn't hide anything. To every question from the veteran experts, he offered thorough, down-to-earth answers.
When explaining the ancient land weathering metallogenic process of the Yunshang Bauxite deposit, he provided an exceptionally detailed breakdown.
Once the group of elderly experts was satisfied and had left, Lai Xiangrong personally led the project acceptance team to the site.
Trailing behind the acceptance team was He Feiyang, the Deputy Director of the Reform Leadership Office under the central state-owned enterprise supervisory department.
He Feiyang was the one in charge of coordinating the merger of several major aluminum companies into the new Hualu Corporation.
Following him were the top leaders of various aluminum plants and bauxite mining companies.
"This is the major exploration and discovery recently made by our Huazhou Aluminum Plant," Lai Xiangrong said enthusiastically as he walked beside He Feiyang.
"A large-scale bauxite deposit with 28 million tons of reserves. The main ore body has an average grade of 64% and a thickness of 3.5 meters!"
He Feiyang, hands clasped behind his back, nodded occasionally, clearly pleased by the achievement.
A discovery of this magnitude was a breakthrough for the bauxite industry.
But while some rejoiced, others despaired.
The other plant directors walking behind them were visibly tense, their minds racing.
For years, no major bauxite deposits had been found in China.
And now, just as the merger talks were underway, Huazhou Aluminum had stumbled upon a massive deposit!
Why had there been no prior signs?
They had been caught completely off guard. Now, each one followed along in silence, burdened by heavy thoughts.
Lai Xiangrong, however, was beaming. He delivered the speech he had rehearsed the entire night before.
"According to predictions from Expert Li Tang and the technical team from the Geological Survey Institute, besides the 28 million tons already delineated, the project area holds over 100 million tons of potential resources!"
"One hundred million tons?" He Feiyang stopped in his tracks, visibly shaken.
"Projected resource volume," someone behind him corrected with a sour tone. "Not proven reserves."
"Even if it's just projected, it shows there's tremendous exploration potential within the mining rights of Huazhou Aluminum Plant!" Lai Xiangrong quickly defended.
"This project has made such progress without making a fuss—very impressive!"
Before arriving, He Feiyang hadn't even heard about the discovery.
After all, he worked in the reform office, not the land resources department. A major discovery like this wouldn't be reported directly to his department.
It just so happened that the merger of Hualu Corporation was entering a critical stage. Lai Xiangrong had eagerly invited him to come and inspect the project, and now, he was given an unexpected surprise.
"You've done excellent work this year," He Feiyang praised Huazhou Aluminum.
It was a simple compliment, but it filled Lai Xiangrong with joy.
The other plant directors fell even deeper into silence.
"Thank you, Director He, for your guidance and support. Without you, Huazhou Aluminum would not be where it is today," Lai Xiangrong replied calmly.
"Oh, right."
Suddenly, He Feiyang stopped and scratched his head. "You mentioned a name earlier—who was it again?"
"Who did I mention?" Lai Xiangrong was momentarily confused.
"Your deputy director, Luo Qinzhong?"
"No, I know Luo Qinzhong," He Feiyang shook his head.
"Chief Engineer Ding from the Geological Survey?"
"Not him either," He Feiyang said. "You mentioned someone with the surname Li?"
"Li Tang!" Lai Xiangrong immediately remembered.
"Yes, yes! Li Tang—that's the one!"
He Feiyang's expression became animated, though tinged with confusion. "If I'm not mistaken, Li Tang is from Wukuang Group. What's he doing with Huazhou Aluminum?"
"He's the one who discovered Yunshang Bauxite," Lai Xiangrong said with a smile.
This was public knowledge now.
Not only the Geological Survey Institute, but the Huazhou Provincial Geological Association and the national Nonferrous Metals Association all acknowledged that the reason Yunshang Bauxite reached large-scale status was due to Li Tang's individual contribution.
In multiple professional review meetings, they had concluded that, without Li Tang, no unit would have been able to find this deposit.
Many professionals in the field openly admired Li Tang's mineral exploration ability—so much so that they had dubbed him a pioneer, trailblazer, and reformer in bauxite exploration.
Though there was a bit of jest in those titles, it was clear how highly respected he had become in the industry.
"Wasn't he the one who discovered Qulong Copper Mine?"
He Feiyang clearly knew about Li Tang's background. "How did he end up helping you guys find bauxite?"
"He's skilled in copper exploration—and bauxite too," Lai Xiangrong replied with a big grin, unsure how to explain it further.
"Who is Li Tang?" someone in the back couldn't help but ask.
He Feiyang answered personally, "You know Qulong Copper Mine, right? That's the one Li Tang discovered!"
"I remember now! That's the super copper deposit that made the national news recently!"
"Didn't President Niu from Wukuang compare him to Hancock from Austria on CCTV? That really stuck with me."
"He's incredible!" Even someone as high-ranking as He Feiyang couldn't help but marvel.
"Our minister was recently talking to President Niu from Wukuang, and they brought up Li Tang.
President Niu said Li Tang is a very unique young man."
"He really has made a massive contribution to our mineral industry," Lai Xiangrong quickly echoed the sentiment, seizing the chance to align with the leadership.
If the ministry held Li Tang in such high regard, praising him a little more couldn't hurt.
Wait a second—so even top officials know him?
Was this guy's background so powerful it could shake the sky?
"Where is Li Tang?" He Feiyang looked around, suddenly realizing he wouldn't even recognize him if he were standing right there.
"He's on-site with the acceptance team, inspecting the project," Lai Xiangrong quickly motioned to Luo Qinzhong.
"Go get Li Tang right now—tell him Director He wants to meet him!"
"No need," He Feiyang waved it off. "I'm just curious. Meeting him sooner or later makes no difference."
"You're right."
But even as he responded, Lai Xiangrong had already begun reassessing everything he thought he knew about Li Tang.
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