Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 76: Alma Mater

In the adjacent office, the atmosphere remained heavy.

Ding Shaoying was doing his best to calm himself.

As long as the project went forward, Huazhou Aluminum wouldn't skip out on paying their exploration fees. But to seriously carry out exploration in an area they knew was geologically barren felt like a betrayal of professional ethics.

As a responsible technician, it was hard for him to convince himself it was right.

Li Tang, however, didn't care what others thought. He pointed at the circle he had drawn on the topographic map and said in a commanding tone, "Chief Engineer Ding, your next task is to collect all available geological, geophysical, and geochemical data for this area—as detailed as possible."

Ding glanced at him and said nothing—just gave a reluctant nod.

"What methods have you used in previous bauxite exploration projects?" Li Tang asked.

"Mainly geological mapping," Ding replied. "Everyone in the field knows bauxite occurs near the surface, rarely deeper than 150 meters. So, traditional geological methods are highly effective."

"No."

Li Tang shook his pencil. "For this project, we'll conduct geological mapping and geophysical surveys simultaneously."

"What kind of geophysical surveys?" Ding was already skeptical and now felt Li Tang was just making things up.

"Microgravity surveys and magnetotelluric (MT) sounding."

"Gravity surveys are useless for bauxite!" Ding rejected the idea outright. "There's almost no density contrast between bauxite and the surrounding rock. You can't differentiate them."

"High-precision gravity measurements can distinguish karst-like ore bodies from surrounding rock based on lateral density differences," Li Tang replied firmly.

"Well, I hope you're right."

Ding clenched his teeth and kept writing notes, pressing his pen so hard that the paper tore slightly.

"What's the target depth for the magnetotelluric sounding?"

"200 to 600 meters."

"That deep? Bauxite doesn't occur below 200 meters!" Ding almost slammed his notebook on the floor. "All bauxite deposits are shallow—I've never seen one deeper than that!"

"I have." Li Tang stared him straight in the eye.

To discover hidden ore bodies, geophysical surveys are essential, and drilling is the only way to confirm them.

Li Tang already had a rough idea of the deposit's extent. But to define its exact location and depth, he still needed technical confirmation.

"Well, let's hope you're right," Ding muttered, scribbling again so hard he nearly tore another page.

"Collect data, apply for exploration rights, start surface mapping and geophysical surveys," Li Tang repeated as he counted the key steps on his fingers. "Get these done as quickly as possible. Only then can we determine the next steps."

"Got it," Ding replied tersely.

He felt wronged. This young man clearly looked inexperienced, yet here he was, forced to take orders from him.

Was this some kind of divine punishment?

"Oh, by the way, our institute can handle the MT work," Ding added, "but we don't have the instruments or personnel for microgravity surveys."

He really didn't care whether gravity surveys were included or not—he didn't think they were effective anyway.

Li Tang didn't hesitate. "I'll handle the microgravity survey arrangements."

Everyone dispersed to work on their respective assignments.

Ding still saw Li Tang as an unqualified upstart—and couldn't understand why Huazhou Aluminum was placing so much trust in him.

But that's how work often goes. You don't always get to do things your way.

No matter how unwilling, Ding still performed each task to the best of his ability.

To resolve the microgravity issue, Li Tang and He Runqi returned to Yanjing Geology University, their alma mater.

Li Tang remembered that the school had imported high-precision gravity instruments from the U.S. while he was a student—and he'd even used them during training.

"Feels like the campus hasn't changed at all," He Runqi said, clearly excited to be back.

But Li Tang thought otherwise. The school looked different now. Many buildings were still old—no new ones had been built yet.

Along the tree-lined walkways, groups of students with books and backpacks bustled about, full of youthful energy.

A tall girl with a ponytail strode past like she was walking a fashion runway, leaving a fragrant trail in the breeze.

They brought a box of fruit and went straight to the faculty building. Upon seeing their familiar faces, the teachers were happy—two recent graduates, already coming back to visit, and even bringing gifts.

They asked around and learned that the geophysics professor, Zhang Zhongyu, was leading a group of students in a fieldwork session at the soccer field.

To the north of the field was a large patch of overgrown land, perfect for field training with instruments.

Professor Zhang was currently instructing a group of freshmen in how to use seismic equipment.

"Hit it again!" a student shouted from the distance.

BANG!

A heavy iron plate on the ground rang out sharply as a student brought an 18-pound sledgehammer crashing down on it.

The impact created ground vibrations. The resulting seismic waves would travel through the Earth's layers.

Different materials would alter the waveforms, especially when passing through fractures or strata boundaries.

Seismometers captured the data, which would then be processed to infer underground geological structures.

Li Tang and He Runqi had done this very training themselves and were quite familiar with the setup.

They stood watching quietly for a moment until Professor Zhang looked up and spotted them.

"Li Tang? He Runqi?" he exclaimed, walking over in surprise. "I remember you two—didn't you both go to work at Wukuang?"

"We did. We're here for work today, actually," Li Tang said with a smile.

"Good to see you again, Professor Zhang!" said He Runqi, beaming.

"Good to see you too!" Zhang replied warmly. Looking at He Runqi's round, sun-darkened face, he felt genuine fondness. "It's lunchtime. Let me treat you to a meal!"

Back in school, Zhang often took students out for hands-on training, and he was known for being generous with food afterward. Students remembered that.

"Really?" He Runqi's eyes lit up.

"We're eating at the cafeteria," Zhang said, pulling out his meal card.

"Actually, I've missed those cafeteria meals," Li Tang added with a chuckle.

Zhang turned to his students. "Once you finish the survey, return the instruments to the equipment room. Class rep, make sure everything is accounted for."

Then he led the two young men toward the dining hall.

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