205: United Mining starts operations

Blue Star, Donglian Capital, New Chang'an.

Inside the meeting hall of the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Blue Star headquarters, a holographic projection slowly rotated at the center of the long table, displaying a distribution map of the Solar System's mineral resources.

Jade sat at the head of the table, her slender fingers gently tapping the surface, her gaze sweeping over the various representatives present.

There was Hu Gang, Chairman of the Eastern Federation Mining Group, the Chairman of the Mining Union, and several high-ranking officials from the Eastern Federation Ministry of Industry.

"Gentlemen, as per our prior discussions, the Grand Infrastructure Plan can now commence," Jade's voice was elegant and steady. "According to the Interstellar Peace Corporation Strategic Investment Department's assessment, relying on a single planet for the raw materials needed for large-scale construction in the space age is unrealistic. Therefore, we can begin with space mineral development."

With a flick of her finger, the projection switched to data charts: "According to the Interstellar Peace Corporation's exploration results, the mineral reserves in the asteroid belt and Kuiper Belt far exceed expectations and are an excellent source of minerals. Technically, it's also the simplest."

Topaz picked up the conversation: "The Construction Materials Logistics Department has completed testing of the new generation of mining spacecraft, equipped with the latest intelligent mining systems."

She brought up a holographic image of a mining spacecraft, full of industrial aesthetics, flexibly navigating through space, its robotic arms precisely cutting into the mineral layers on the surface of an asteroid. Then, it 'dropped' the cut ore into its storage bay.

"This model of mining vessel, a single unit's daily output is equivalent to ten times the daily output of a medium-sized mine on the ground, and it only requires three operators to monitor in shifts."

Hu Gang frowned slightly: "The efficiency is indeed astonishing, but what about the Eastern Federation's existing miners? If we fully transition to automation, at least 300,000 people will lose their jobs in the short term."

"They are a generation that has no choice but to bear the brunt of societal transformation. We cannot force them into a dead end."

Jade chuckled softly, waving her hand to signal her assistant to open a new document: "The Interstellar Peace Corporation understands this point. Therefore, we have proposed a win-win solution."

The assistant swiped a finger, and the projection switched to a cooperation agreement: "Establish 'United Mining.' The Interstellar Peace Corporation will provide technology and spacecraft, and the Eastern Federation will provide capital, materials, and manpower."

"The Interstellar Peace Corporation is responsible for the research and development and maintenance of the core mining system, and the Eastern Federation is responsible for the training and management of miners."

Jade added: "Although mining spacecraft are highly automated, they still require human intervention for equipment maintenance, emergency repairs, and operations in complex environments."

"We can absorb the existing miners and retrain them as technical maintenance personnel."

The union representative pondered for a moment: "That is feasible, what about the specific proportions?"

"The Interstellar Peace Corporation holds 60% of the shares, and the Eastern Federation 40%," Jade said straightforwardly. "Of the mined minerals, the Interstellar Peace Corporation takes half, and the remaining half is yours. Of course, if you are willing to sell, the Interstellar Peace Corporation would also be very happy."

"Don't think it's too little. You don't yet have an intuitive concept of the mining capacity of a large mining fleet. I can tell you the conclusion directly."

"A large mining fleet is sufficient to support the construction of a kilometer-class starship. And the Interstellar Peace Corporation can provide twenty such mining fleets."

A brief silence fell over the meeting hall.

Li Yan, Deputy Minister of the Eastern Federation Ministry of Industry, suddenly spoke: "If United Mining is established, how will the welfare of the Eastern Federation miners be guaranteed?"

"An increase of 20% above the Eastern Federation's current standards," Jade smiled, "or they can be treated as contract employees of the Interstellar Peace Corporation. The salary would be the average level of a P2 employee, but they would enjoy 50% of the Interstellar Peace Corporation's employee welfare system."

To be fair, this price was very reasonable. Hu Gang and Li Yan exchanged a glance and slowly nodded: "In principle, we agree."

A satisfied smile curved Jade's lips: "Then, happy cooperation."

Three months later, Mars orbit, United Mining Headquarters.

A massive circular space station floated in Mars' mid-orbit, its silver-white hull emblazoned with the giant 'United Mining' logo. Inside the space station, hundreds of Engineers and technicians were busy debugging equipment.

Han Yan, an old miner who had worked in Blue Star's coal mines for twenty years, now stood in a training capsule, looking at the complex control panel in front of him, feeling completely lost.

"Don't be nervous," his training instructor, a young technician, patted his shoulder, "This system looks complicated, but the operating logic is actually very simple."

He pointed to several key buttons on the panel: "Green is start, red is emergency stop, yellow is switch to manual mode."

"Your main job isn't mining, but monitoring system operations and intervening manually when necessary."

Han Yan swallowed, nodding. He had never imagined that he, an old miner who had dug coal underground for half his life, would one day stand in a space station learning to operate an Interstellar mining spacecraft.

"Oh, right," the technician suddenly remembered something, "The Interstellar Peace Corporation has equipped you all with new miner armor, for use in low-gravity environments. Remember to pick it up from the Equipment Department."

Han Ming paused: "Ar...armor?"

"Yes," the technician smiled, "You can't expect to wear regular work clothes to repair a spacecraft in space, can you?"

Asteroid Belt, United Mining First Mining Zone.

A 'Digger' mining spacecraft slowly approached an iron-nickel-rich asteroid, its robotic arm precisely piercing the rock layer and beginning cutting operations.

Inside the cockpit, three operators stared at the data on the holographic screen.

"Mining progress 30%," the main operator reported, "Energy consumption is normal, cooling system is functioning well."

Suddenly, an alarm sounded!

"Warning! B-section robotic arm joint overheating!"

The co-operator quickly brought up the fault point: "It seems the lubrication system is blocked, requiring manual intervention."

"I'll go," Han Yan stood up and walked towards the equipment room.

Ten minutes later, Han Yan stood in the airlock, his 'Worker Bee-1' sealed armor gleaming with a cool metallic luster.

This armor was much lighter than traditional spacesuits but offered stronger protection. It was resistant to extreme temperatures, radiation, had a built-in life support system, and even miniature thrusters for space maneuvering.

"Armor self-check complete," the system prompt sounded, "Pressure stable, oxygen reserve sufficient, life support system normal."

Han Yan took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air circulating within the armor. The hatch slowly opened, and the black expanse of space unfolded before him, countless stars twinkling in the distance.

He took a step, his magnetic boots automatically adhering to the spacecraft's hull. In the microgravity environment of the asteroid belt, every step required caution. Although the armor had anti-drift locks, a single mistake could still turn him into a space derelict.

At least, that's what he thought.

"B-section robotic arm joint," the main operator's voice came through the communicator, "three meters to your right."

Han Yan moved carefully, and soon, he saw the fault point. The lubricant delivery pipe at the robotic arm joint had been struck by splashing slag, and some metal fragments floated nearby.

He took out a repair gun from the tool slot on his armor's waist and aimed it at the blockage.

"Repair procedure ready," the system prompted, "Please remain stable."

Buzz—

A subtle vibration emanated as nanobots surged from the repair gun, rapidly breaking down the blockage and repairing the pipe wall. Lubricant began to flow again, and the robotic arm's temperature readings gradually returned to normal.

"Fault cleared," Han Yan reported, "Can resume operation."

"Good job, Old Han!" The co-operator's voice was tinged with a smile, "It seems your batch of old miners has pretty good learning and adaptability."

Han Yan didn't immediately return but stood still, looking at another mining spacecraft operating in the distance. In the dark expanse of space, the spacecraft's silhouette was outlined by starlight, its robotic arms gleaming with a cool metallic luster.

Once, he thought he and his fellow workers would be made obsolete by the times. As Blue Star's coal mines gradually closed and automated equipment replaced manual labor, these old miners seemed like relics of a bygone era.

But now, wearing this armor, standing on a spacecraft in the asteroid belt, he suddenly realized that miners had never disappeared; they had merely evolved.

"Old Han?" The main operator's voice interrupted his thoughts, "Time to return to the cabin."

"Received." Han Yan retracted his gaze and turned to move towards the airlock.

The armor's thrusters gently activated, helping him move steadily along the spacecraft's hull. After entering the airlock, the hatch slowly closed, and the prompt for normal pressure restoration sounded.

The moment he took off the armor, Han Yan stretched his shoulders. Although the 'Worker Bee-1' was already very lightweight, wearing it for several hours could still make muscles a bit stiff.

"You worked hard," the main operator handed him a cup of hot coffee, "The next mining cycle is in half an hour, you can rest for a bit first."

Han Yan nodded, taking the coffee. Through the porthole, he saw the half-mined asteroid slowly rotating, its mineral layers gleaming with a metallic luster in the starlight.

Ten years ago, he was still toiling in the underground coal mines of Blue Star; now, he was in this dark expanse of space, wearing high-tech armor, repairing Interstellar mining equipment.

Times had changed.

And he was still a miner.

Pierpoint, Ten Stonehearts' exclusive bar.

Jade sat at the bar, swirling a glass of red wine in her hand.

"The first batch of three thousand mining spacecraft has all been put into use," Topaz reported, "Mining efficiency meets expectations."

"And the cost?" Jade asked softly.

"18% higher than the purely automated solution," Topaz shrugged, "but within controllable limits."

"However, if compared to the cost of using an automated equipment maintenance solution, the expected profit has increased by 14%."

Jade smiled slightly: "Very good."

Her gaze lingered on the side of the wine glass, the remaining red wine sliding down evenly.

United Mining was just the beginning. With this cooperation as a blueprint, the ten-year Grand Infrastructure project began with great fanfare.