Chapter 485: Suddenly Became a Hot Commodity

The Guyana Shield.
This massive geological plate stretching across northeastern South America sounds like the kind of boring term you'd find in a geography textbook.
But to certain financial giants, this name shines brighter than gold, more alluring than diamonds.
Beneath its solid back lies a treasure trove capable of driving the world into a frenzy.
The latest exploration report, like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake, has stirred up a storm.
A specific area of ​​the shield contains an astonishing amount of rare earth mineral deposits!
Instantly, the eyes of countless global giants, like hungry vultures, are fixed on this long-dormant land.
“But, Brother Su, you know…
This stuff is gold to others, but for us, in the past, we might not have valued it that much.”
Su Hao frowned slightly:
“Yes, Chairman Qin, as far as I know, our country is already the world's largest rare earth producer, with absolute dominance in reserves, technology, and production. This…”
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear:
We're already the world's largest rare earth producer; is it really necessary for us to scavenge for a new mine overseas?
"First? Yes! But first doesn't equal 'only'!
Brother Su, what we hold now is an 'advantage,' while that piece of land in Guyana will give us a 'monopoly'!
Think about it, what's the most crucial thing in this global resource game right now?
It's not that we have another trump card, but that we ensure our opponents can't play any!
If we get this mine, it can solidify our strategic advantage for another fifty years!"
Qin Han's tone shifted,
"But what if those people in the US get it?
They'll immediately pour money into building a complete supply chain independent of ours.
Then, our biggest strategic asset will be dissolved overnight, perhaps even completely vanished!"
Su Hao's eyes turned serious; he understood.
This was no longer a simple business deal, but a battle for national destiny.
“So,” Qin Han’s eyes flashed,
“this mine isn’t something we need, but something we absolutely must not let our competitors get!”
Admittedly, China is the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements, but its advantage was achieved through generations of tightening their belts and sacrificing enormous environmental costs.
Why didn’t the West do it back then?
They complained about the pollution and low profits!
They reaped the benefits of China’s cheap rare earths, then turned around and criticized China for its environmental destruction.
But times have changed. Rare earths are now like flowing gold.
Their uses are expanding, and the demand is growing.
Neodymium, dysprosium, terbium, and praseodymium—these four “kings” of the rare earth family—are the lifeblood of all cutting-edge industries.
China’s technology is constantly upgrading, focusing on green refining, and it has finally begun to realize the strategic value of these elements, thus tightening its export controls.
The Western countries, whose necks were being held hostage, immediately became anxious. While bargaining with Xia and engaging in a game of interests, they were also searching for minerals all over the world, hoping to start anew!
Development plans that were previously shelved due to cost-effectiveness issues such as environmental pollution and high R&D costs have now become extremely attractive under the current export restrictions imposed by China.
What was once a liability has suddenly become a hot commodity.
“Therefore, rare earth elements are now a crucial strategic resource for us to counterbalance the West. Once they find a substitute in Guyana, our advantage will be gone!”
Qin Han said solemnly,
“Furthermore, transporting this stuff back to their own Western territories would involve labor costs, environmental regulations, labor unions… it could drag the project on forever.
Only Guyana is the perfect place tailor-made for them!”
This place is sparsely populated, with no environmental pressure, laws that are practically non-existent, and a huge pool of cheap labor…
Western capital is not going to let this juicy piece of meat slip through their fingers!
“Moreover, the most troublesome problem facing the Guyanese government right now is those lawless illegal mining gangs.
Those desperados are the real culprits behind environmental destruction!
That's why Guyana is so eager to attract investment from you, Fang Huan, to expand its military and wipe out those local tyrants!
However, this time, Jiang Jin and a few friends in the industry are willing to contribute to the military expenses and other costs!”
“Oh?” Su Hao keenly caught the key phrase. “It seems Jiang Jin isn't the only one wanting to get on board.”
“Hahaha, yes!” Qin Han laughed loudly.
“The West is sharpening its knives; who in the country isn't worried?
Some see a crisis, and naturally, others see a golden opportunity!
The higher-ups entrusted us with this task, so naturally, we'll reap the rewards.
But right now, the biggest problem is—security!”
Venezuela and Guyana are currently in complete chaos, with those ruthless criminal groups lurking around.
Rare earth is precious, but you need to be alive to get it!
Previously, major conglomerates sent people in, but within three days, the workers were kidnapped, and the equipment was dismantled and sold for parts!
The military conflict between the two countries and the arson, murder, and looting by criminal organizations acted like two ferocious roadblocks, firmly guarding the entrance to this treasure trove.
“But now, Fang Huan has arrived! You, this powerful dragon crossing the river, aren't you here to solve this problem?”
Qin Han said excitedly,
“So, things have suddenly become clear!
We're willing to pay ‘protection money’ and enter the market with you!
You, Fang Huan, have swallowed so many mineral veins in one go, requiring a large number of professionals for actual development.
Outsource this work to us, the ‘national team,’ and we'll form a joint fleet to expand overseas!
You, Fang Huan, with the strongest security, will be in control and can steadily share the biggest slice of the pie—isn't that wonderful?”
Fang Huan invested, using money and force to establish order in this chaotic land in exchange for the development rights to the mineral veins.
Then, these development rights are subcontracted to various domestic companies, forming a vast and robust community of shared interests…
“…!”
In an instant, Su Hao's mind cleared, and an indescribable thrill surged through him like an electric current. His intuition was excitedly signaling this brilliant idea!
This was no longer a business deal; it was a war!
A resource war that would determine the fate of high technology for the next ten, even a century!
"So, Brother Su, how's this project plan going?"
"More than good." Su Hao picked up his glass, a long-lost relaxed smile appearing on his face.
"I was just worrying about how to utilize all those mines I'd acquired.
Chairman Qin, you've provided a timely help—no, you've directly sent a well-equipped engineering team!"
"Hahaha! Isn't this the very essence of our circle?
United as one, we make money together, and at the same time, we contribute to the country! Cheers!"
The two glasses clinked crisply in the air with a "bang."
Amidst the crisp sound of impact, a massive alliance, powerful enough to shake the global resource landscape and embark on expeditions for national interests, quietly took shape.