This work faithfully documents the prospecting journey of the Second Team of the 208th Brigade of the Northwest Geological Exploration Bureau of the Ministry of Nuclear Industry, from northern Shaanxi to the old strata of the Yinshan Mountains in Inner Mongolia, and finally into the Mesozoic-Cenozoic basin of the Erlian Basin. It vividly depicts the struggles and daily lives of nuclear geologists in the field.
Three years of hard work had honed their skills. After the Second Team entered the Erlian Basin, it applied new technologies and maintained a rigorous, solid work ethic. In 1984, it discovered the landmark 2-17 uranium mineralization site in the Eren Nuur area. Subsequent exploration led to the discovery of the medium-sized Subeng uranium deposit and the giant Nuhuting uranium deposit near the 2-17 site.
For its outstanding prospecting results in the Eren Nuur area, the Second Team was awarded the prestigious title of “Advanced Unit” by the Ministry of Nuclear Industry. This honor was the fruit of countless days and nights of hard work and ingenuity, and the highest tribute to all those who persevered and explored in the Gobi Desert. It belongs not only to every member of the Second Team, but is also deeply etched into this vast land, which bears the glory and dreams of generations of geologists.
With the introduction and adaptation of advanced foreign theories and experience in sandstone-type uranium prospecting, and the steady improvement of exploration technology and equipment, the long-silent Erlian Basin finally came to life. Building on the work of those who came before, later generations continued their diligent efforts. Between 2008 and 2018, they discovered the Daersu, Bayan Ula, Hadatu, Saihan Gaobi, and Manglai uranium deposits, with one medium-sized, large, and even super-large deposit after another emerging like pearls…
"The deep part... No one can explain this clearly," Zheng Heping's eyes flashed with a glint, and then he was overwhelmed by deeper helplessness. He looked at everyone tiredly, as if he was seeking a non-existent answer...
I was stunned. According to the usual practice, it takes at least seven or eight years to go from technician to technical manager, but I have only been here for three years...
As one of the first members of Team 2 to enter the Erlian Basin, and also the technical person in charge who personally submitted the results that year, only I can fully tell the story of every decision, every challenge, every turn during this period of prospecting, as well as the hidden stories behind the geological reports.
This is not an escape, but more like a turning point that has to be faced. After thinking about it, the seed that had been lingering in my heart for a long time finally took root - instead of barely holding on in confusion, it is better to take the initiative to go out, create a new world for myself, and actually share the pressure for the family.
I was filled with emotion: once a country declines, even its military supplies become commodities for sale, and this six-wheeled truck actually sold the other three wheels regardless of its own safety. Such a desolate scene is really unbelievable.
Even after hearing about such a difficult situation, the main theme of the meeting remained firm: reform.
Due to a strange combination of circumstances, I left the second team and was transferred to an operation and management position. This change completely changed my life. If I continue to engage in the technical work that I love, maybe I can do better in my subsequent mining work.
The launch of the Eastern Volcanic Rock Battle originated from the abnormal aerial survey information captured by the 703 aerial survey team in the early stage. Our systematic detailed surface investigation and deep exploration have confirmed that these anomalies are mostly found in the shallow part of the surface, are limited in scale, and belong to hydrothermal uranium mineralization. The formation of this type of mineralization is the result of deep magmatic hydrothermal fluid rising to near the surface oxidation-reduction interface, and being precipitated and enriched in an environment with sudden changes in physical and chemical conditions. This situation is exactly the same as when we carried out uranium survey in Jining-Zhuozi from 1980 to 1981.
In the mainland, watching movies may be commonplace, but for pastoral areas located in remote border areas, this is undoubtedly a rare event on the grasslands.
However, the cornerstone of the historic status of the Erlian Basin as an important national uranium resource base was undoubtedly the epoch-making breakthrough achieved by the Second Team in the Erennur uranium mine survey. This was not only a successful exploration, but also the extraordinary wisdom and tenacity of Team 2, which opened the door to a new era in the history of prospecting for sandstone uranium deposits in the Erlian Basin. This historic discovery, with its unshakable value, is like a magic needle that fixes the sea, building an unshakable strategic uranium resource foundation for the entire region.
"The deep part... No one can explain this clearly," Zheng Heping's eyes flashed with a glint, and then he was overwhelmed by deeper helplessness. He looked at everyone tiredly, as if he was seeking a non-existent answer...
I was stunned. According to the usual practice, it takes at least seven or eight years to go from technician to technical manager, but I have only been here for three years...
As one of the first members of Team 2 to enter the Erlian Basin, and also the technical person in charge who personally submitted the results that year, only I can fully tell the story of every decision, every challenge, every turn during this period of prospecting, as well as the hidden stories behind the geological reports.
This is not an escape, but more like a turning point that has to be faced. After thinking about it, the seed that had been lingering in my heart for a long time finally took root - instead of barely holding on in confusion, it is better to take the initiative to go out, create a new world for myself, and actually share the pressure for the family.
I was filled with emotion: once a country declines, even its military supplies become commodities for sale, and this six-wheeled truck actually sold the other three wheels regardless of its own safety. Such a desolate scene is really unbelievable.
Even after hearing about such a difficult situation, the main theme of the meeting remained firm: reform.
Due to a strange combination of circumstances, I left the second team and was transferred to an operation and management position. This change completely changed my life. If I continue to engage in the technical work that I love, maybe I can do better in my subsequent mining work.
The launch of the Eastern Volcanic Rock Battle originated from the abnormal aerial survey information captured by the 703 aerial survey team in the early stage. Our systematic detailed surface investigation and deep exploration have confirmed that these anomalies are mostly found in the shallow part of the surface, are limited in scale, and belong to hydrothermal uranium mineralization. The formation of this type of mineralization is the result of deep magmatic hydrothermal fluid rising to near the surface oxidation-reduction interface, and being precipitated and enriched in an environment with sudden changes in physical and chemical conditions. This situation is exactly the same as when we carried out uranium survey in Jining-Zhuozi from 1980 to 1981.
In the mainland, watching movies may be commonplace, but for pastoral areas located in remote border areas, this is undoubtedly a rare event on the grasslands.
However, the cornerstone of the historic status of the Erlian Basin as an important national uranium resource base was undoubtedly the epoch-making breakthrough achieved by the Second Team in the Erennur uranium mine survey. This was not only a successful exploration, but also the extraordinary wisdom and tenacity of Team 2, which opened the door to a new era in the history of prospecting for sandstone uranium deposits in the Erlian Basin. This historic discovery, with its unshakable value, is like a magic needle that fixes the sea, building an unshakable strategic uranium resource foundation for the entire region.