Chapter 31: Unequal Distribution
Copper ore smelting and processing fees are often inversely related to copper prices.
In other words, when copper prices are high, the smelting fees are low.
This seemingly illogical phenomenon is the result of supply-demand dynamics and the custom smelting business model.
When global copper supply is abundant and prices fall, copper producers have no problem finding smelters, so processing fees remain high.
But when copper supply is tight and prices rise, smelters compete for limited supply and are forced to lower their fees.
In China, over half of the copper concentrate used in domestic smelters is imported.
As the demand for copper in China continues to grow rapidly, the reliance on imported ore will only increase.
Currently, domestic and imported copper ore supply is roughly 50–50.
In twenty years, imported ore will account for as much as 80% of China's total supply!
While China has vast copper reserves, most of them are low-grade—that's an indisputable fact.
Zhao Hepu understood the smelter director's concerns, but he remained firm in his stance.
"Demen Copper Mine must be restructured. If we don't change, we're doomed."
He sighed deeply, weighed down by pressure.
"After the meeting, everyone should read up more on bioleaching technologies. External Affairs—draft a preliminary cooperation agreement with Jiujiang Copper as soon as possible. That's all, back to work."
With that, the meeting ended, and the staff of the Mining and Metallurgy Company filed out.
"Plenty to do…" Zhao Hepu murmured, visibly tired as he slumped onto the office sofa. Then he looked up at Qin Jianshe and the others.
"What brings you guys here?"
Qin stepped forward with a smile. "I mentioned this before—we're here about the dispatch labor compensation for Li Tang's team. You know how much they've contributed at Demen. Their results speak for themselves."
He gestured for He Runqi to hand over the reimbursement form.
Zhao gave the paper a quick glance, then pulled a pen from his breast pocket and signed it without hesitation.
"Take it straight to the finance office."
The total was only 1,700 yuan—nothing major. He signed it quickly.
"Thank you, Director Zhao," Li Tang said, accepting the signed document with a smile.
"You've come at the right time. I wanted to talk more about bioleaching."
Zhao's eyes remained fixed on Li Tang, making it obvious who he was really addressing.
"We weren't impressed with what we saw at Jiujiang Copper. Their bioleaching tech is... passable. But their leaching cycle is still 800 days, with a recovery rate of just 60%. That's no improvement from what I saw two years ago. They've completely stopped R&D. The technology has stagnated."
He clearly had ambitions—he wanted more advanced bioleaching capabilities.
Hearing this, Qin Jianshe suddenly remembered seeing Li Tang working on something in the computer lab.
Wasn't he typing up material on bioleaching?
"Li Tang, do you have a comprehensive understanding of bioleaching—especially the production line design and operations?" Qin asked on Zhao's behalf.
"I have a theoretical grasp, yes. But I'm not knowledgeable about the machinery and manufacturing side of production lines," Li Tang said honestly. "I've been organizing some theoretical material, though."
"Excellent!" Zhao clapped his leg in excitement. "Here's the plan: first we'll negotiate with Jiujiang Copper and try to get their documentation. If needed, I'll call you in to study bioleaching with us. Sound good?"
"No problem," Li Tang replied easily. "More than 60% of China's copper reserves are chalcopyrite—low-grade sulfide ores. If we can make breakthroughs in bioleaching, that would be a major contribution."
Qin chimed in with a grin, "Li Tang is our company's treasure. Use him wisely—don't wear him out!"
"Come on, I'll take you to the finance office," Zhao said happily.
Together, they walked over and quickly processed the labor reimbursement.
He Runqi held a thick stack of hundred-yuan notes in his sweaty palms—he'd never seen so much cash before.
Back at the office, his coworkers gathered around to gape.
"Li Tang, here's your fieldwork and dispatch pay—sixteen days, 880 yuan," he said, carefully counting eight crisp hundred-yuan bills and eight ten-yuan notes. "Sign here so you can't pretend we never gave it to you."
Li Tang took the money and casually slipped it into his pocket, calm as ever.
Gasps echoed around the room.
"Damn, more than 800 just for a half-month trip?"
"That's more than a month's salary!"
"If we got this much every month, we'd earn more than the department heads!"
"Next time you go, take me with you!"
Basking in their envy, He Runqi smugly counted five hundred-yuan bills and six ten-yuan notes. After licking his finger, he double-checked them and then carefully tucked them into his pocket.
"Wei Shixing, come get your money and sign here," he said, handing over 420 yuan.
"So much?" Wei was surprised and pleased. "Now I can buy that new game."
"Hu Yangyu!" Runqi called sarcastically, dragging out the syllables.
Then he handed over a thin wad of bills. "Here's your seventy yuan."
"Seventy?" Hu stared at the pitiful amount in disbelief.
He had watched everyone else get thick stacks—Li Tang alone got 880 yuan, more than a full month's salary.
He never expected that a two-week field trip could bring in this much cash.
This was the most generous allowance distribution since the company had been founded.
For those used to living frugally, it was a pleasant surprise.
But when he finally got his payout, and it totaled only seventy yuan, the emotional gap was staggering.
In an instant, his feelings turned to rage and suspicion.
"Why do you get 880 and I only get seventy?" he shouted, slamming the bills on the table with a loud bang.
He had just declared war on Li Tang.
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