Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 59: Chalcopyrite

"Zhang just told us—they're looking for shallow, low-temperature hydrothermal ore bodies," Li Tang said as he turned around and pointed to the Feasibility Study Report on Copper Exploration in Tibet Province that they were all holding. "In my report, I clearly stated that we should be looking for porphyry-type deposits in this region. That means we're searching for igneous intrusions that reached the surface."

The moment Li Tang laid eyes on the wind-burned faces of the geological survey team, he had already recalled the story behind the super copper mine.

If his memory served correctly, after years of fruitless searching for shallow hydrothermal deposits, Zhang's team would eventually shift their approach to porphyry-type exploration—and that was when they would finally discover the ten-million-ton-class super copper deposit.

But that realization would come years later.

Now, Li Tang understood the correct exploration direction before they did.

He stood gazing into the distance at the snow-covered mountains, holding a clear glass cup. The water inside had already gone cold.

Perhaps he thought he looked like a man immersed in poetry and dreams of far-off places.

To He Runqi, however, it seemed like Li Tang was just being dramatic.

"Li Tang, did you steal that cup from the geological bureau guys?" He Runqi asked, breaking the moment.

"No," Li Tang turned and walked back into the room with the cup still in hand. "This isn't an ordinary cup."

"What is it then? A luminous cup from legend?" He Runqi joked, laughing out loud.

Li Tang swirled the water in the cup and held it up. "Did none of you notice something strange about the hot water they served us?"

"You mean it's poisoned?!" He Runqi jumped up in alarm.

"No, not poisoned." Li Tang rolled his eyes and held the cup close to them. "Look at the color of the water. What do you see?"

"Blue."

"Green?"

"Maybe it really is poisoned…"

"No wonder it tasted weird!"

Everyone leaned in close, staring at the water.

They had all just drunk it, but none had paid much attention. Now that Li Tang had pointed it out, they were on edge—some even trembling.

"It's not poisonous. It just has a faint metallic taste," Li Tang said as he took a sip from the now-cold water. "Back at the little restaurant, I noticed the water they drank also had this same faint green tint."

"Their water has copper sulfate in it!"

Li Zaiqiang suddenly realized.

"When you were renting the place from the locals, I asked them where their water comes from," Li Tang explained. "They said it's mountain spring water."

He pointed toward the snowy peaks outside. "That mountain—right there—is inside the exploration area we just secured. The spring water they use for drinking flows down from it."

"There's copper on that mountain!" Li Zaiqiang's eyes lit up.

The hope that had just been crushed by Zhang Tao's pessimism came rushing back.

"Li Tang, you're amazing!" Pan Yuexing was in awe of everything Li Tang had just revealed.

They had barely arrived, and already Li Tang had identified multiple clues pointing to a copper deposit.

"No wonder he's a top geology student from Yanjing. You really do have the talent."

"How come I didn't realize the green tint was due to copper sulfate?"

"I can't wait to get out into the field and see if there's really copper out there."

While the others joked and chatted, Li Tang had already taken out a pen and spread out the topographic map on the floor.

Their exploration license covered a vast area, requiring multiple maps.

After flipping through them, Li Tang circled three spots.

Li Zaiqiang, watching from the side, waited until his son stood up before asking, "What are you doing?"

"I've marked the three surface mineralization points that I found the last time I came here with my professor. Focus your work on those three locations."

What Li Tang had circled were the three main porphyry-type ore bodies in the area.

Porphyry copper deposits form from magma intrusions that reach the surface and cool. These typically form cylindrical or columnar ore bodies.

Some protrude above ground; others are buried.

Some deposits are small and hard to find.

Given how large the licensed exploration area was, finding those porphyry bodies could require tremendous time, manpower, and resources.

But now, with Li Tang marking the key spots, their fieldwork could be laser-focused.

What might have taken a year or two could now be discovered in weeks.

The ten-million-ton super copper deposit would be made up primarily of those three porphyry bodies.

After a day of rest and acclimatization, the team began adjusting to the high-altitude climate. They geared up in thick protective clothing, packed satellite phones, first aid supplies, and other essentials, and ventured deep into the project zone.

They walked more than ten kilometers, crossing countless ridges, before reaching one of the three key areas Li Tang had circled.

They stood in a rocky ravine. Beneath their feet, jagged scree crunched with every step. Before them stretched a vast valley dotted with small glacial lakes.

Around the lakes, the terrain was flat and green with grass.

Farther off, mountain ranges rose and fell in waves, their peaks capped with snow.

"Shh—"

The local guide suddenly froze, raising his hand to signal silence while tightening his grip on his weapon.

Everyone turned in the direction of his gaze.

There, against the grey rock, four or five wolves stood perfectly still, blending almost completely into the background.

They stared, alert, curious about the intruders.

For nearly ten minutes, humans and wolves held their positions.

Eventually, the wolves bounded over the ridge and vanished into the horizon.

"Everyone stay within this area for mapping," Li Zaiqiang ordered. "No one goes off alone. Even if you need to use the bathroom, someone comes with you!"

The group fanned out, each heading in a different direction within the valley to begin their work.

Li Zaiqiang approached the edge of one of the glacial lakes. He bent down and picked up a piece of rock, then struck it with his geological hammer. The rock split cleanly in two.

On the fresh face, faint yellow metallic streaks glistened.

"Pyrite?" Pan Yuexing asked, peering at the fragment.

But after examining it more closely, he hesitated. "There's a brighter golden color inside. Could it be gold?"

"No, it's not gold—it's chalcopyrite," said Li Zaiqiang.

He wasn't yet familiar with the local geology, but he could identify the mineral by its appearance. "It's chalcopyrite wrapped in pyrite."

"Chief Li!"

Someone came running over from the distance, holding a chunk of stone. "I found something strange!"

The rock was brought to the group.

Even to the naked eye, it was clear—the surface sparkled with golden metallic specks.

"There's copper here!" Li Zaiqiang's voice trembled.

They had found clear signs of mineralization on the surface.

Pieces like these were scattered all over. Anyone could bend down, pick up a rock, and spot chalcopyrite with ease.

On their first day of fieldwork, they had already achieved a major breakthrough.

On this cold, barren mountain, the team couldn't help but hug each other in celebration.

Some, overwhelmed with emotion, cupped their hands and let out wild, jubilant howls across the valley—releasing all the tension and excitement in their hearts.

Li Zaiqiang walked over to his son and gently ruffled his hair. "I really have to thank you—and your professor. There's copper here!"

Outsiders could never truly understand what it meant for a geologist to find a mine.

It was their life's glory—the ultimate proof that their contribution to the country was real, tangible, and unforgettable.

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