No, nothing of importance. Please continue. I'm finding this fascinating.
Of course, the logging operation will be carried out in concert with the mining operations. Neither project on its own would be profitable, but carried out in unison each becomes highly lucrative. In fact the timber will cover the direct cost of the development and the mineral recovery will be almost entirely profit. However, I will leave George Anderson, our senior geologist, to explain all this to you. Anderson's expression was as stony as one of his geological samples. His style was terse and dry. The only viable mineral deposits so far discovered in Ubomo lie in the north-western quadrant, below the forests that cover the lower northern slopes of the mountain range and lie within the basin of the Ubomo River. He moved the cursor on the map display in a slow northern sweep. This forest cover consists of almost fifty varieties of economically significant trees, amongst which are the African oak, the African mahogany, the African walnut, the red cedar and the silk-cotton tree. I will not weary you with their botanical names, but suffice it to say that their existence holds out major economic advantages, as my colleague has pointed out. He nodded wearily at Green, who flashed his bright salesman smile in return. The forest soils are for the most part leached laterites, the colour of which gives the Ubomo River its name, the Red River, and indeed the country itself, the Land of Red Earth.
Fortunately, these soils are very thin, generally less than fifty feet in depth, and below them lies a folded pre-Cambrian formation. He gave a dry and weary little smile. Again, I will not tax you with the technicalities, but these soils contain significant quantities of the rare earth, monazite, together with viable deposits of platinum almost evenly distributed in the upper levels. This series is unique. There is no other known formation that comprises this particular spectrum of minerals. Each of these individual minerals occurs in low concentrates, in some cases they are mere traces. Separately none of these would be PROFITable, BUT TAKen together they will be highly lucrative, and their profitability will be enhanced by the valuable stands of timber harvested in the process of exposing the ore body.
Excuse me, Mr.
Anderson, Daniel interrupted. Are you considering strip-mining the Ubomo river basin? George Anderson looked as though he had experienced a sudden stomach cramp.
Doctor Armstrong, the term "strip-mining" is an emotionally charged one, filled with negative undertones. BOSS has never undertaken strip-mining operations anywhere in the world. I must be very firm on that issue. I beg your pardon, I thought that the company's copper mines at Quantra in Chile were strip-mines. Anderson looked affronted.
Open-cast mines, Doctor Armstrong, not strip-mines. Is there a difference?Of course there is. However, I think that this is neither the time nor the place to examine those differences. just let me say that the open-cast mines that we intend developing in Ubomo will take full account of the sensitive environment of the area.
We will operate on a refill-and-renew policy. BOSS has a green approach to nature. In fact, Doctor Armstrong, we are convinced that in the long term the environment will be significantly improved by what we are going to do for the country. He looked at Daniel challengingly, and Daniel almost rose to accept it. Then with an effort he forced himself to smile and nod. You must excuse me playing the devil's advocate, Mr. Anderson.
These are the kind of questions people will ask, and I must be able to answer them. That's what BOSS is paying me for. Anderson looked mollified. Yes, of course. However, I must reiterate. BOSS is a green company. It's Sir Peter's firm policy. I know he is even considering altering the company logo. As you know the present design is a miner's pickaxe and a ploughshare.
Well, he intends adding a green tree, to show our concern for nature.
I think that's very tasteful. Daniel smiled placatingly. He knew that this discussion would be reported to Tug Harrison, there was even a likelihood that at this moment it was being recorded. If he displayed open hostility and opposition to the company, his free ticket to Ubomo and his contact with the Lucky Dragon and Ning Cheng Gong would evaporate. With the assurances that you gentlemen have given me, I will be able to go to Ubomo with a clear conscience and I will endeavour to show the world the enormous benefits that will accrue to the country from the intensive development that the BOSS consortium is undertaking. He spoke for the benefit of the hidden microphones, and then paused for emphasis. Now, what I want from you is an architectural mock-up of the hotel and casino development on the lakeshore. I'd like to film the area as it is today, and then superimpose the concept over it, to bring out the best features of the design and how it blends into the natural background. Sidney Green will take care of that, I'm sure. Pickering nodded. Right, then I want details of the present per capita income of the average Ubomo citizen, and an estimate of what that income will be in, say, five or ten years time, after the full benefits of the development programme begin to make themselves felt.
You'll see to that, won't you, Neville? The meeting ran on for another half hour before Daniel summed up with a note of finality. As a film-maker, I have to have a theme for this production. The general concept of Africa these days is one of a continent in trauma, plagued by seemingly insurmountable problems, demographic, economic and political. I want to strike a different note here. I want to show the world how it could be, how it should be. I see the theme of my production as. . .
He paused for dramatic effect, and then held up his hand to frame an imaginary screen. "'Ubomo, High Road to the African Future". The men at the table burst into spontaneous applause, and Pickering refilled the sherry-glasses.
As he escorted Daniel and Bonny back to the front of the building Pickering told them jovially, I say, that went rather well. I think you both made a very good impression. He beamed like an approving schoolmaster. And now a little treat in store for you. Sir Peter Harrison, himself. . . his voice took on a reverential tone, as though he had mentioned the name of a deity, Sir Peter in person has expressed the wish to have a word with you and Miss Mahon.
He did not wait for their agreement but led them to the elevators.
They waited a mere five minutes in the antechamber to Tug Harrison's office, barely long enough to appreciate the priceless works of art displayed on the walls and in the glass-fronted cabinets. Then one of three comely secretaries looked up and smiled. Please follow me. Sir Peter is expecting you. As she led them towards the door at the far end of the antechamber, Pickering dropped away. I'll be waiting for you outside. Don't stay more than three minutes. Sir Peter is 2 busy man.
The tall windows of Harrison's office looked out across the Thames to the National Theatre. As he turned from the window, the sunlight flashed off his bald head like a heliograph.
Danny, He said, offering his gnarled right hand. Have they looked after you? Couldn't be better, Daniel assured him. On the strength of what they've told me, I have come up with a theme for the production, "Ubomo, High Road to the African Future". I like id said Tug Harrison without hesitation, but he was studying Bonny Mahon as he said it. The approbation could have been as much for her as for Daniel's title.
Exactly three minutes after they had entered the inner sanctum of BOSS, Tug Harrison drew back the cuff of his Turnbull and Asset shirt.
Both his cuff-links and his wristwatch were of gold and diamonds. It was good to see you, Danny. Very pleasant meeting you, Miss Mahon, and now, if you'll excuse me. . . At the front doors of the BOSS building, Pickering had a taxi waiting for them. It's on the company account, he said, shaking hands and giving Bonny's bosom a wistful farewell appraisal. It will take you wherever you want to go. Caviar Kaspia, Daniettold the driver recklessly, 2nd whEnthcy were seated at a window table in the discreetly panelled frontroom.