KEO.PLUS

Australia is known as a country sitting on a mine cart, and although some of the famous large-scale mineral deposits in Australia have not been discovered yet, it is already a country rich in mineral resources based on the known deposits.

As for the indispensable iron ore and coal mines for industrial development, several have been discovered in the uninhabited areas of western Australia, with total reserves reaching 360 million tons and 1.9 billion tons respectively.

Perhaps these two numbers seem huge at first glance, but compared to Australia’s later discovered iron ore reserves of 150 billion tons and 900 billion tons, these numbers are just a fraction of the total.

But when compared to other countries of this time, Australia’s already discovered mineral resources are already quite substantial.

Even considering the current steel production of the British Empire, Australia’s iron ore alone would be enough to supply the United Kingdom for thirteen years.

Although the British Empire’s steel output will not remain constant, it would be impossible for Australia to catch up with the UK’s steel production without a few or even ten years.

This also means that even if Australia now puts all its energy into developing industry, there is no possibility of a lack of mineral resources within more than a decade.

Well, as a country rich in mineral resources, Australia will always be in shortage only of funds, equipment, and talents, not the readily available minerals.

“Minister Pierre, tell me your plan in detail.” Pierre Silvio Berlusconi’s proposal was in line with Arthur’s own plans, so Arthur expressed his interest to Minister Pierre.

“Your Highness, our country’s western uninhabited area has a large amount of mineral resources, among which coal and iron ore are essential for industrial development. I propose that first, we build large-scale industrial production bases in the western uninhabited area, utilizing the equipment provided by Your Highness. We will increase our steel production to at least 100,000 tons and 200,000 tons within three years. Meanwhile, using the steel we produce, we will construct railways between the western industrial area and our urban cities, building a transportation network. After three years, when our steel output reaches a new level, it will not be too late to seek technology industries.” As Arthur showed interest in his proposal, Minister Pierre’s voice became louder.

“Minister Pierre, does your plan mean that we first increase steel output, and other matters can be put aside for the time being?” Arthur asked with a smile. Increasing steel output may be difficult for other backward countries, but it is actually quite simple for Australia.

Australia holds 50 million pounds worth of industrial equipment from the United Kingdom, which was carefully selected by Arthur, including some basic industrial equipment such as steel furnaces.

The advantage of this is that Australia can quickly master the use of these industrial equipment, and once they are fully absorbed and utilized, Australia will be able to reach a top twenty position in world industrial powers.

“No, Your Highness. My proposal is that we must first prioritize the development of basic industries, including steel factories. This does not mean that we have to abandon other industrial development initiatives in the short term. I believe that our ultimate goal is to develop Australia into an independent research and production industry with a complete system. I think our final goal for technology industries, including military factories and shipyards, is to achieve independent research and development. Therefore, we must import talent from Europe on a large scale and fill in the talent gap in our country caused by a lack of basic education while we’re developing our basic industries. In the industrial aspect, the development of industry and the attraction of talent must go hand in hand.” Minister Pierre said.

Compared to some countries also seeking development, Australia has significant advantages.

Because of the same race and geographic location far away from Europe, Australia basically does not have any major conflicts with European countries and can attract advanced technology and talents from various European countries.

What Minister Pierre refers to is actually a request for Australia to have the strength to independently research and develop advanced technology and equipment in the future, rather than just importing it from Europe.

This means that Australia must attract a large number of talents from Europe, otherwise independent research would just be an empty talk.

Arthur nodded, Minister Pierre as a talent previously sent to Australia by the British Empire was indeed not to be underestimated.

If the introduction of equipment for the development of basic industries is well underway, then attracting talent and enhancing R&D capabilities would be seeking the future.

In order for a country to rise and even dominate one region, it is absolutely indispensable for the nation to have independent research and development capabilities in science and technology.

If a country’s advanced industrial products can only be imported from abroad, then even if the country relies on a large number of imported advanced equipment and significantly enhances its strength, it will ultimately be restricted by others and cannot truly become a powerful nation.

“Minister Pierre, what are our current steel and iron outputs, respectively?” Arthur asked.

It had to be said that the colonial period was also a time when the gap between Western countries and backward countries was at its widest.

At a time when Western countries’ steel output had already broken through millions, even reaching tens of millions, the island nation which would later rely on the Meiji Restoration to take its place among the great powers had a steel output of just over a thousand tons.

Australia’s situation was slightly better, but only by a little. Due to the presence of a large amount of iron ore and coal mines, Britain had established small- scale steel factories in Australia.

“Your Highness, last year’s annual steel output in the Six States was about 3,700 tons, and iron output was 5,000 tons,” Pierre said without hesitation.

These figures were all the real data on Australia that Pierre had learned during the week, and knowing that this data would likely come in useful, Minister Pierre remembered them well.

“I’ll give you three years to triple Australia’s steel output each year. Can you do it?” With a smile, Arthur looked at Pierre, who seemed quite confident.

Triplicating every year is not an easy task. The first year may be simple, but the difficulty level will multiply in the second year.

Triple of five thousand tons of iron is fifteen thousand tons, and triple of that is forty-five thousand tons.

Not to mention the last year when the triple of forty-five thousand tons will reach nearly 150,000 tons, with a total steel output of around 250,000 tons.

“No problem, Your Highness! As long as you provide me with sufficient funds and equipment, I promise to triple the steel output every year for the next three years,” Minister Pierre replied decisively without any hesitation.