When the diaspore reached the gemstone grade, it would refract a brilliant light due to its extremely high fiery color. At the same time, it had a very strong multi-color property. Unlike other color-changing gemstones that could change from one color to another, it could refract multiple colors at the same time. The most obvious one was the mixture of red and green. It was no wonder that the locals gave it the name of multicolored. When Barov introduced it to him, Roland immediately thought of this stone when he saw it with his own eyes.
In addition, when diaspore lost water, it would turn into corundum. The gemstone level of corundum was the famous ruby and sapphire. Compared with the former, the latter was more famous.
But what excited him was not the gemstone itself.
After a long time, the prince closed the wooden box and asked excitedly, "What about the residues dug out from the mine?"
"You mean... the gravel dug out from the mine?"
"Yes, not just the stones, but also the mud. How did you dispose of the waste?"
"They were all dumped at the foot of the mountain after they were shipped out." Denver did not seem to understand the meaning of the prince's question. "Your Highness, please rest assured. We have carefully screened these ores. They are either of poor quality, or they were broken during the mining process and can no longer be polished into gemstones. The most experienced veterans in the family were in charge of the screening process. It was impossible to miss anything. "
"You're wrong." Roland shook his head with a smile. "Those things... are probably the real treasures."
"What?" Denver was stunned, and the others looked quite surprised as well. It seemed that they could not associate mud with treasures.
But he could not explain it, because in this era, it was difficult to even make steel, let alone refine aluminum.
The main component of diaspore was alumina, and it was also an associated product of bauxite. The discovery of diaspore probably meant that this place was rich in aluminum, and the soil and rocks could be used as raw materials to refine aluminum. As the most abundant metal element in the earth, aluminum was more abundant than iron and could be found almost everywhere. In other words, Lucia could also decompose a small amount of aluminum from a random stone dug out of the ground. It was just that it was not cost-effective to use it for industrial refining. Therefore, only places rich in aluminum could be mined.
For example, the cave in front of them.
Roland called Pérot aside and asked in a low voice, "How has the Crain Family managed the gemstone mine for the past two hundred years? What I mean is … how did the previous lords pay them? "
"I've checked the accounts left behind by Osmond Ryan. The method of payment is very simple. Every year, the Cran Family can choose a box of lesser gemstones from the gemstones they collect as payment. It's basically the same as weighing wheat." Pérot explained, "The square box is about the length and width of a palm, and the depth is about half a palm. As long as the lid is closed, you can put as many pills as you want. Of course, the rarest gems must be handed over to the lord. "
"In other words, the two treasures he gave me just now weren't the best?"
"In terms of quality, it is indeed the best. He wouldn't dare to lie to you about this, but you also know that the bigger the gem, the more expensive it is."
"You've also received gifts from him, haven't you?" Roland looked at the eldest son of the Honeysuckle Family with interest.
"Uh …" the latter replied awkwardly, "Yes, Your Highness. I'll give the gemstones to you when I return."
"Keep them, I don't care about that," the prince said carelessly. "I'm just curious, who can guarantee that the payment is true? What if the family secretly takes more during the mining process? Unless they turn the mansion upside down, they won't be able to find out anything, right? "
"Every batch of ore is transported out of the mine and screened, and even if the Cran Family steals, they won't do it too obviously. This is a mutual check and balance. They're afraid that the lord will find out and punish them, and the lord won't be able to find so many people who know the mine like the back of their hand." Pérot paused. "Besides, even if it's our own people, who can guarantee that they won't steal?"
"I see." Roland nodded. "Then continue according to this rule. But in addition to the five-colored stone, I also want the gravel and mud dug out. When I return, I'll make a preliminary collection plan for you. First, carry it out according to the requirements. "
"Your Highness, this mud … is it really more precious than the gemstones?"
"It depends on whose hands it's in," the prince replied.
What was aluminum? It had countless uses. Its low density and corrosion resistance were already half of the industrial production sky, and it was also an essential key material for aviation technology. Although aluminum refining was troublesome, and the electrolysis equipment required an astronomical amount of electricity for Neverwinter, with Lucia's help, they could always save up some. By then, some miraculous weapons in this era, such as large airships, could also be produced.
Roland had originally planned to focus on the two iron mines, but now it seemed that he had to adjust his plan slightly.
…
It was completely dark when he returned to the castle after inspecting the remaining two mines and a salt well.
After dinner, Roland could not wait to take out a pen and paper and start to plan the use of the new resources.
First, the steam engine.
Whether it was the drainage of the mines, hauling, or extracting brine from the salt well, the steam engine could double the efficiency. Now that the Maple Leaf and Wild Rose families had been destroyed, he planned to transfer a group of skilled workers from the North Slope Mine and hire a large number of workers from the Longsong Area to start the operation of the two new iron mines. The ore could be hauled back to the Border Area for smelting. As for the gemstone mine, Roland needed to wait for Lucia to go to Longsong to test the aluminum content in each tunnel before arranging the next mining direction.
Another important point was the salt well.
It was close to what Roland had expected. In addition to using the steam engine to pump water to increase the output, the only thing left to do was to remove the impurities. Considering the complex geological composition, he decided to take a tube of brine from each well back to the Border Area and hand it over to the chief alchemist, Kyle Sichi, to study the specific steps of removing impurities. After figuring out the process, he would set up a factory on the spot to produce salt on a large scale.
Of course, the salt industry, like grain, should also be monopolized by the City hall. The Elk and Honeysuckle families' salt wells could receive technical support from Neverwinter, but the salt produced must be sold to the City hall at the stipulated market price, and they could not be sold to other cities for profit. If they could obtain a large amount of salt at a low price, it would undoubtedly open up a new trade route for Neverwinter.
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