Chapter 131: Into the Depths

Currently, the drilling has reached a depth of 29 meters, with a visible ore of 3 meters, and a copper equivalent grade of 12.1%. This drilling is done with a diamond drill, and the core recovery thickness is estimated to be 70% of the mineralization thickness.

The head of Valen Mining Company briefed Tony on the discovered copper ore situation.

"What's the copper equivalent grade?" Tony, who was already prepared, asked the head.

Equivalent grade is a method of evaluating ore bodies by converting the content of associated components in the ore into the content of the main elements of the ore. Generally, the higher the value, the higher the ore body evaluation.

"5.9%," the head told him the value of the equivalent grade.

"Hmm, this value is good. It seems that the newly discovered deposit is a rich one. I suggest including it in the pre-feasibility study to be completed in the first quarter of this year," Tony said, very satisfied with the reporting results.

"But there are some unforeseen circumstances," the head said hesitantly to Tony. "The high-grade ore body extends 220 meters to the south underground, close to the mountains near the state park."

"The state park? I know, the place where Hunter Kraven met his end. It sounds like a place where countless dark creatures lurk, ready to jump out and bite off your nose," Tony shrugged, "But I guess we won't have any intersections."

"In fact, we dug a prospecting tunnel near the state park and sent a exploration team to do basic exploration work. Since the day before yesterday, we lost all contact with this exploration team," the head said.

Tony frowned upon hearing this news.

He took off his sunglasses and said to the middle-aged head, "Mr. Danvers, are you telling the story of 'Arthur Gordon Pym'?"

("Arthur Gordon Pym" is a suspense novel that tells the story of adventurers encountering various strange and mysterious events and disappearing.)

Danvers shook his head, "Although I'd like to say that, it did happen."

"We sent people into the mine to investigate, but those who entered also lost contact. Considering the recent incidents there, so," Danvers was interrupted by Tony, "So you suspect it's the work of those werewolves and dark creatures?"

"It's indeed possible. We're planning to send members in again today."

Tony thought for a moment, "You don't mind if I stay and join your operation, right?"

"Of course, we'll ensure your safety, but you must follow our rules, Mr. Stark."

Stark nodded in agreement, "Of course, you're in charge here."

The helicopter roared towards the state park.

"In fact, I've been to the Antarctic world before. Erebus Peak and Terror Peak were the first to come into view, followed by the continuous Parry Mountains. The huge ice barrier's snow-white and low edge rose vertically two hundred feet, almost causing my helicopter to crash into the damn ice barrier," he said to Danvers sitting in the helicopter, "I'm not someone who hasn't seen a big scene."

Although he was a playboy, he didn't admit to being incapable.

Half an hour later, the helicopter landed near the entrance of the mine in the northern part of the state park.

Professionally skilled geologists and security guards escorted the senior personnel of Valen Mining Company to the site.

The camp near the mine entrance was the first thing that caught their eyes.

Some instruments, partially illustrated scientific and technical books, flashlights, batteries, fuel, spare tents, and other items were still intact.

Some of the books had irregular red droplets on the edges, resembling blood.

Scattered food items also formed another smaller mystery—some were intact, while others had been bitten into.

Tony looked at the campsite in front of him, his expression becoming serious.

He looked up towards the mine entrance, feeling as though he was entering the lair of a beast that chose its victims.

"This doesn't look good."

Tony put his sunglasses back on. "Now we're just one bad outcome away."

With the guards accompanying him, he walked towards the straight stretch of the mine.

The moment he reached the entrance of the mine, he felt as though he had entered a nest harboring ancient secrets.

Danvers, the president of Valen Mining Group, originally wanted to stop Tony Stark.

But seeing him enter what seemed like a secretive opening, it was too late to stop him.

"Mr. Stark, as we agreed, for your safety, I suggest you stay away from this entrance," Danvers said.

"It's safe enough here. At least I won't worry about a cave freak rushing out and kidnapping me, since you guys are here to protect me," Tony said dismissively.

Danvers was somewhat helpless and could only assign more guards to keep an eye on him.

After entering the mine, Tony didn't just stay at the entrance to observe, but continued to walk further inside.

Danvers had someone stop him.

"Mr. Stark, this is as far as you go."

"But I've just started."

Stark changed his previous casual attitude, "I thought we were close partners, but it seems there's still a lot of distance between us."

Danvers hesitated for a moment and asked, "What do you mean, Mr. Stark?"

"It's simple. I think you've deceived me, or at least haven't been completely honest."

Tony confronted him directly, "I know you've discovered a cave here, probably hiding many secrets."

"No, this is just a copper mining site."

"Come on, do you think your clumsy words can fool me? I'm a genius scientist, emphasis on 'genius', not just 'scientist'. You've falsified the copper reserves here to drive Stark Industries' acquisition plan and get rid of the debt crisis, am I right?"

Danvers stood in the dim cave, watching this playboy billionaire, his expression constantly changing.

He realized he had underestimated this playboy billionaire.

He thought the other party would be easily fooled, but now he was being directly exposed.

"I guess you're wondering what to do now, whether to desperately explain or tie me up and force me. The latter isn't a good idea. Why don't you listen to my suggestion?" Tony snapped his fingers.

"I have the exploration rights to this relic, and I will continue to push Stark Industries' acquisition of Valen Mining. How about it?"

Danvers looked at the guards around Tony, then at the confident man.

He suddenly realized that perhaps Tony Stark's confidence stemmed from having a trump card.

After hesitating for a moment, he nodded heavily.

"Deal!"

"But," Danvers glanced towards the depths of the cave, "the disappearance of the exploration team wasn't fabricated by me, it really happened!"

...

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