Rebirth: Super Banking System Chapter 2475 - 2313: Too Expensive

Taking it all in.

Qi Yi was visibly stunned.

Whatever could it be?

The Myanmar Gold Group?

How could he possibly remain ignorant of such a corporate giant? It operates directly under the Myanmar Bank Group, with a primary focus on gold extraction. They have pulled upwards of seven or eight thousand tons of gold from the earth in recent years.

Central Bank reserves.

Wholesale distribution.

Regional trade.

The sum of these three channels creates a figure that incites jealousy in all.

Since 2008.

Three hundred tons.

Five hundred tons.

One thousand tons.

Add in the three billion worth of gold futures sold just last year, and the bulk sales alone have surpassed an staggering four thousand tons. This is pure gold, mind you.

Valued at over one trillion RMB.

My goodness!

How could this entity be such a titan?

However.

When he considered the ties between the Tang Family and Myanmar, the situation became crystal clear. Even more shocking was the recent report that Myanmar had discovered a gold deposit within the shallow coastal waters.

And so.

His breath began to hitch.

"Is it really true?"

"It is."

Tang Qing offered a slow nod.

Qi Yi pressed further, "What exactly is the estimated magnitude of these gold reserves?"

"Impossible to say yet."

Tang Qing shook his head, offering a casual warning, "This news hasn't gone public, so I must ask you to keep it under wraps, or it will make our management efforts incredibly tedious."

"Furthermore."

"According to our current pact, the Floating platform will relocate to that site in a week. If there is indeed a massive silver vein below, there is no need for haste; after all, it sits firmly within our Exclusive Economic Zone."

"It is not going anywhere."

"Ultimately, it remains the property of our nation."

"Should you desire."

"You could place an order with our company to procure a similar drilling platform, or perhaps coordinate with state-owned enterprises to develop a joint platform."

This offer.

Served as a soothing balm for Qi Yi and the others.

Indeed.

If a massive mine truly exists, it will not vanish. Whether excavation begins now or later is merely a matter of technical capacity, and equipment can always be purchased.

Therefore.

He posed a follow-up inquiry.

"Boss Tang."

"If we were to purchase one, what would the price tag for such a platform be?"

This question.

Was asked on behalf of his department, as he had previously paid little mind to the costs of the Floating platform, assuming that exploiting surface mines would be more than enough.

To his shock.

From the very start.

It has been a grand spectacle.

A silver mine.

And a high-grade one at that; how could anyone not be tempted?

Upon hearing the query.

Tang Qing began his breakdown:

"It varies widely based on size, displacement, and configuration, but the baseline will not dip below ten billion RMB. If you want something comparable to the Floating platform."

"Thirty billion RMB." Tang Qing gestured with three fingers.

"What?"

"Thirty... billion?"

Qi Yi was dumbfounded.

All around him.

The members of the observation team were equally paralyzed.

Incredible!

Is it truly that expensive? Thirty billion is an astronomical figure. In 2011, considering the price index, how many skyscrapers could one buy with that? How many miles of expressway could be constructed?

"Nothing can be done about it."

"The overhead is immense!"

Tang Qing offered a casual shrug.

To this.

Qi Yi remained skeptical, "Boss Tang, is thirty billion not slightly excessive? Was that truly your expenditure when constructing the Floating platform?"

"Absolutely!"

Tang Qing replied with total composure.

"The research and development costs for marine equipment of this scale are colossal. The crucial aspect lies in the specialized materials, which must meet stringent criteria for wind resistance, wave stability, and operational longevity."

"Observe."

As he spoke.

A document manifested beside Tang Qing.

He flipped to a specific page.

"You are all industry professionals; what do you believe the cost of this particular high-performance steel to be?" The page detailed the performance specifications of a unique alloy.

After a quick look.

Qi Yi felt a flash of surprise, and a rough estimate crossed his mind.

"Sixty thousand."

As soon as he spoke.

Tang Qing gave a slight smile, "Spot on. This grade of steel is essential for our balance, structural connectors, and watertight components; the consumption volume is massive."

"Consequently."

"The steel costs alone for the Floating platform exceed ten billion RMB, and that is before accounting for the other varieties used."

"So."

"When sold for thirty billion, do you still consider it an exorbitant price?"

This point.

Left Qi Yi speechless.

Items.

Naturally have market valuations. If that quality of steel is indeed used in such quantities, a cost of one hundred billion would not be an exaggeration. Its performance metrics are nearly on par with aircraft carrier plating.

Tens of billions were poured into it as if it were child's play.

Certainly.

If a real purchase agreement were drafted, there might be room for a discount, but the total cost would never be trivial. In any case, Tang Qing is not the type to engage in a losing venture; do not even harbor such thoughts.

Around him.

Everyone was reeling from the shock.

Initially.

They were stunned by the sheer cost of acquiring such a platform.

Secondly.

They were astonished by Tang Qing’s swift maneuvering in finding potential clients, specifically for gold mining, which included a ten-percent stake if a major gold discovery was made.

Hah!

Everyone shook their heads in unison.

Impossible.

In this world.

How many miracles can one expect? Although today gave them a miracle, they struggled to believe Myanmar could stumble upon another immense gold mine; the odds were far too slim.

Of course.

If it is not excavated, the Myanmar Gold Group would surely need to provide a substantial guarantee to protect Tang Qing from losses; otherwise, without a minimum baseline, who would risk it?

A fifty-billion damage claim, based on what, exactly?

They speculated.

The Myanmar Gold Group likely provided a starting annual guarantee of at least five billion, perhaps even ten billion. There is no getting around it; they have the capital.

...

At the silver outlet.

Tang Qing noticed Qi Yi deep in thought, smiled, and replaced the silver fragment. The construction cost of the Floating platform, which ran slightly over a hundred billion, was still just the internal cost.

Steel.

Supplied by Wan Qing Mining.

Technology.

Contributed by Qingyuan Technology.

And so.

The Floating platform is not exclusively held by Qingyuan Technology but is a asset of Wan Qing Mining. Qingyuan Technology retains forty-nine percent of the earnings, making it a joint venture.

Engaging in commercial trade externally.

Everything is handled strictly according to market rates.

After a long silence.

Qi Yi gathered his thoughts and gave a wry smile, "Boss Tang, it still seems quite expensive."

"You receive the value of what you spend."

Tang Qing reiterated, "Besides, if this silver deposit is sufficiently large, the payoff period will be short, making this a mutually beneficial situation."

"Agreed?"

Upon hearing this.

Qi Yi could not help but nod.

True enough.

Should this silver vein prove extensive and of high quality, recovery of costs would be no issue. The value of the silver just excavated already exceeded ten million RMB.

If mining continued round-the-clock.

Without pause, one could realistically look at a billion RMB in valuation.

One year.

Even accounting for maintenance downtime.

That is a floor of thirty billion.

In this light, the figure is somewhat justifiable. It is not that they fear high costs; as long as the return on investment is sufficiently high, price has never been an insurmountable concern.

"Then, I must ask you, Boss Tang, to conduct a thorough exploration of this silver mine." Qi Yi let out a deep, relieved breath.

"Naturally."

...

Shortly after.

Qi Yi transmitted the update back to his ministry. In general, ministries and commissions are not tasked with direct mining operations, and the profits generated from such activities are irrelevant to them, nor do bonuses exist in that sector.

However.

This silver mine represents a unique case.

If it is massive enough, as the relevant national authority for land and resources, they possess a duty to remain invested, particularly now that the entire nation has its eyes on the project.

Expectations are soaring.

Three hundred billion.

Their department cannot cover that, but just like not securing a direct share, the purchase would not fall to them but rather to larger state-owned mining conglomerates.

Lack of capital?

Insufficient funds?

Is that really an issue? Banks are at the ready.

Being state-sanctioned entities, applying for bank loans worth hundreds of billions to acquire a drilling platform is not difficult to navigate for those massive Central Enterprises.