After the Divorce, I Found a Thousand Bitcoins - Chapter 54
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Got Divorced and Found a Thousand Bitcoins Episode 054
Nickel has grades.
This grade called battery grade was used to classify the quality of raw materials that go into batteries.
The highest Class 1 grade goes into high-performance, high-stability products like ESS.
It could be said to be the most needed raw material quality in the battery market.
“Even in the current market situation where nickel supply and demand are balanced, Class 1 grade nickel is still in short supply.”
Kang Hyeon nodded at Kim Ha-ryul’s explanation and asked Vice President Cha Tae-hun.
“Can we tell how much Class 1 grade nickel is deposited in the mine through the samples discovered this time?”
“We can’t know the exact reserves at this point. However, based on what the personnel who directly surveyed the site told us, since it was discovered from the beginning of the ore vein, the reserves seem to be considerable.”
Ore veins also have starting and ending points.
But the fact that high-grade nickel was discovered from the starting point could be interpreted to mean that its reserves were considerable.
With good news coming one after another.
Kang Hyeon could think that the light discovered on that hill wasn’t for nothing.
“What’s the Barma Group’s reaction?”
“They seem to be showing vitality after a long time. The stock price is also showing signs of trying to rebound.”
Rumors couldn’t be stopped from spreading.
Already, predictions that the nickel grade would be high were spreading by word of mouth, moving the stock price.
If Barma Group’s stock price rose, it would be good news for him as the third-largest shareholder, so Kang Hyeon left it alone.
“For now, I’ll try to make a deal with the Indian Government regarding this matter. What’s important is the mining rights after all.”
“Understood.”
“What are you thinking about the Government of South Korea?”
“The Indian Government comes first for now. If they don’t give us mining rights, then we’ll have to request help from the Government of South Korea.”
Sometimes dialogue between nations worked better than dialogue between an individual and a nation.
“That’s a good idea. If we receive help from the Government of South Korea, from that point on we won’t be able to ignore their demands either.”
Choi Byeon was right.
If they requested help from the Government of South Korea, it could be easier to persuade the Indian Government.
The problem was that from that point on, the Government of South Korea’s requests wouldn’t end at the level of mere requests.
Knowing this, Kang Hyeon was putting off their help as much as possible.
“Well then, let’s adjourn.”
After ending the meeting like that, when Kang Hyeon was investigating materials, Ha-ryul approached.
“President.”
“Yes?”
“Regarding this nickel discovery, I think it would be good to talk with Dr. Nathan once.”
“With Nathan?”
“Yes. Although nickel isn’t directly used in Dr. Nathan’s liquid immersion cooling technology, it goes in indirectly.”
“Is that so? I hadn’t thought of that part. Thank you for letting me know.”
The most important part of liquid immersion cooling was indeed the solution.
But besides that, nickel could also be used in various ways like circuit boards that wrap hardware.
Kang Hyeon, who had no engineering knowledge, hadn’t thought that far, but thanks to Ha-ryul’s advice, he thought he should talk with Nathan.
‘The Indian Government comes first for now. To do that, I need to confirm the consortium members first.’
To receive mining rights from the Indian Government, the most important thing was confirming the consortium members.
Only then could they give confidence that there would be no changes even after granting mining rights.
‘One by one, let’s get it done.’
There were many things to do.
* * *
LC Energy Resources’ India headquarters was turned upside down.
“What? Class 1? Really?!”
“Yes. This is what we heard through personnel who went directly to survey the site.”
“Huh…!”
“To think it’s Class 1 grade…”
“The fact that Class 1 came out from the beginning means the reserves are considerable, doesn’t it?”
General Manager Jeon Jun-ho nodded at his subordinates’ words.
“Looking at the data so far, that possibility is high.”
“KH Construction has hit another jackpot.”
“These guys hit jackpots whenever they get involved in business.”
LC had also investigated them before accompanying KH.
KH Construction’s beginning was strange.
It started when they caught rental fraud and received orders for the Yeongjong Island theme park project, then unexpectedly received highway construction orders in India.
And now they discovered a nickel mine, and that mine contained Class 1 grade quality nickel.
‘At this point, winning the lottery first prize consecutively would be easier.’
While he was thinking that, a subordinate said.
“If it’s Class 1 grade, shouldn’t we make another proposal from our side?”
“That’s right. If we can secure nickel of that quality, we can lower ESS unit costs.”
Like all products, when there are many intermediaries, the price of goods naturally goes up.
But if they participated from the consortium stage for mining, the story would be different.
Since they could receive a certain amount from the Indian Government and purchase it, in this case the nickel purchase unit cost would be greatly reduced.
Then the unit cost of the finished product ESS would also be lowered, instantly gaining price competitiveness.
‘If we succeed in this, the evaluation from headquarters will change too. But if we fail…’
What would happen was as clear as day.
What needed to be done was clear.
“Contact them right away and set up an appointment.”
“Understood.”
It was time to persuade KH Construction.
* * *
While LC Energy Resources was moving somewhat conservatively, a group of Koreans arrived at Indira International Airport.
“President, this way.”
The man who appeared to be the leader of the group, Lee Tae-sik, quickly exited the airport with staff guidance.
Getting into a car prepared outside the airport, Lee Tae-sik roughly threw off the coat he was wearing and asked.
“How did the meeting with KH Construction go?”
“We made contact, but they said they don’t have the capacity to meet right now.”
“Tsk!”
Even though he told them to set up an appointment from Korea, they still hadn’t even set up an appointment.
It was pathetic.
“This is Class 1 grade nickel. It was discovered from the early stages. Don’t you know what that means?”
“Ah… I know.”
“But you’re just waiting around because the other party told you to wait?”
“I’m… I’m sorry. I’ll contact them again right away…!”
“Never mind. Where’s our hotel?”
“We reserved at Park Hyatt.”
“What about the hotel where KH Recovery’s President Choi Kang-hyeon is staying?”
“He’s understood to be staying at InterContinental Suite.”
“Change the hotel right away. Get new accommodation at InterContinental.”
“But there are no suite rooms available there…”
“Is that important right now?! Any available room is fine, book us at the same hotel as them!”
“Yes, yes!”
Lee Tae-sik had staked everything on this matter.
That’s why he flew directly to India.
Class 1 grade nickel was worth doing that for.
‘I have to get into this consortium somehow. Only then can we overtake LC.’
His desperation, thinking this was his last chance, was stronger than ever.
* * *
Kang Hyeon proceeded with a video call with Nathan as Ha-ryul had advised.
“It’s been a while, Nathan.”
-Haha… Yes. I’m a bit tired. Shall we get straight to the point?
Nathan still lacked social skills as always.
Knowing this aspect of him, Kang Hyeon casually brought up the main topic.
“Among the companies I own, there’s one called KH Construction. They discovered a nickel mine. It seems like Class 1 grade nickel is deposited there.”
-Oh… Congratulations. So?
“Does your liquid immersion cooling technology also require Class 1 grade nickel?”
-Yes. Of course it does. It goes into the circuit boards that come into contact with the solution, not the solution itself. The mechanism works like this…
“No. The explanation isn’t necessary. So, it does go in, right?”
-…Yes.
Was he disappointed that he couldn’t explain?
His somewhat regretful expression was conveyed even through the monitor.
But such technical explanations weren’t necessary.
What he needed to know was that liquid immersion cooling technology also required nickel.
“What level of quantity would that be? Would it require about the same amount that currently goes into batteries?”
-Not quite that much. But initially, we’d need about 20 to 30 percent of the total market volume.
“That much?”
-Liquid immersion cooling technology has the effect of greatly reducing maintenance costs for data centers worldwide. Naturally, all newly built DCs will adopt this technology, and existing ones will also convert.
Since these words came from the developer of liquid immersion cooling, there might be some exaggeration mixed in.
Even so, he could conservatively think that an additional 10 percent demand would be created from current supply.
‘Since it would be difficult to supply 10 percent of the volume in a short period, supply could naturally become insufficient. If that happens, prices are likely to rise for a certain period.’
According to market principles where prices are determined by supply and demand, this was highly likely to happen.
‘Perhaps the discovery of this nickel mine could become even more important.’
The market still doesn’t know how far liquid immersion cooling technology has developed.
But Kang Hyeon himself knew clearly since he had secured the technology running at the forefront.
On top of that, he was in a situation where he also owned a Class 1 grade nickel mine.
He thought that perhaps he had obtained both at the most perfect timing.
-Um… But CEO.
“Yes?”
-Could you provide a bit more research funding? The research funds you gave last time have already run out…
Of course, it did cost quite a bit of money.
“Of course. I’ll process it right away.”
-Thank you!
Still, this investment wasn’t something to hesitate about.
* * *
After finishing his call with Nathan, Kang Hyeon left his room.
He had an appointment with the Government of South Korea today.
He was crossing the hotel lobby to move when it happened.
“CEO Choi Kang-hyeon?”
When he turned his head at the voice calling him, he saw three men who appeared to be Korean standing there.
The man standing at the front looked familiar, but he couldn’t immediately place him.
“Who are you?”
“I’m CEO Lee Tae-sik of SS Battery.”
SS Battery.
It was one of the major corporations that divided South Korea’s battery industry in half.
And he also knew the name Lee Tae-sik.
‘So this man is the third son of SS Group.’
Lee Tae-sik, a so-called third-generation chaebol.
He had been evaluated as a genius since childhood and was considered the talent who would lead the next generation of SS Group.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Kang-hyeon of KH Recovery.”
“Nice to meet you.”
After a brief exchange of names, Lee Tae-sik brought up the main topic.
“If you have a moment, could we talk briefly?”
“Well, I do have a prior appointment…”
“Just a moment will do.”
At Lee Tae-sik’s request, Kang Hyeon checked the time briefly and then nodded.
“About 30 minutes would be fine.”
“Thank you. This way…”
Unlike Manager Jeon Jun-ho, Lee Tae-sik’s courteous behavior made Kang Hyeon feel strangely pleased.
So he moved to the cafe with Lee Tae-sik and the SS Battery personnel.
An Asian man who had been watching the two from the cafe made a phone call somewhere.
“Manager, we have a big problem! SS Battery’s CEO Lee Tae-sik just met with CEO Choi Kang-hyeon!”
He was none other than someone from LC Energy Resources.
And the person he was talking to was.
-I’m coming right now!!
Naturally, it was Manager Jeon Jun-ho of LC Energy Resources.
Kang Hyeon had become the man that major corporations desired.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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