Before reading this article, please click "Follow", which is convenient for you to discuss and share, and can bring you a different sense of participation, thank you for your support.
In the field of aviation equipment, the engine has always been known as the "heart" and is an important part of the aviation industry. China has made many breakthroughs in the process of modernization, but compared with other countries such as the United States and Russia, there are still shortcomings in aircraft engine technology.
However, unexpectedly, a move by Japan sent precious resources and provided the possibility of solving this problem that has plagued the mainland for 30 years, which became a major turning point for China's aviation industry.
The shortcomings of China's aviation sector
The core part of the aircraft is the engine, which is directly related to the overall performance, endurance and operational safety of the aircraft. High-performance engines generate more power, enable aircraft to fly faster, load more, and are more fuel efficient, effectively reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, helping to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
In the past, Continental was constrained by technological blockades and resource shortages in engine design, manufacturing, and material development.
Since high-performance engine technology is monopolized by a few developed countries, China has been subject to technological blockade. Engine design and manufacturing involves many sensitive technologies, which are generally kept secret and controlled in different countries. This has limited Continental's engine design and manufacturing, making it difficult to access the latest key technologies.
Therefore, Continental still faces dependence on foreign engines in aircraft research and development, and is also directly purchasing foreign passenger aircraft for use.
The blades on the engine are a critical component of an aero engine, subjected to the harsh environment of high temperature, high pressure and high-speed air flow, so excellent performance and longevity are essential. This delicate process requires excellent high-temperature performance and durability of the blade material, as well as a stable supply of material.
In the past, this key process has been monopolized by a number of developed countries, of which the United States is one of them. They have leading positions in the field of aero-engines, including the development and manufacture of blade materials. This monopoly has led to the relatively slow scientific and technological progress of the mainland in the field of aircraft engines, which has been subject to people.
In order to overcome the shortcomings of aero engine performance, Continental purchased Japanese engines for research. However, Japan was well prepared when selling the engine, using a rare shell material, which made it difficult for Continental to delve into the core technology of the engine. Although we have made research breakthroughs in other fields, such as the successful development of nuclear submarines, this engine research is a challenge for us. However, experts on the mainland have not given up and have been working hard to solve this problem.
Although some technologies can be obtained by purchasing foreign engines for research, there are still difficulties in in-depth research and key technology research. The lack of independent innovation capability limits the independent development of the continental aviation industry.
Aero-engine manufacturing involves a large number of rare metals and high-performance alloys such as cobalt, nickel, tungsten, etc. Although the continent is rich in rare earth resources, it has relatively small reserves of some key materials such as cobalt. The lack of sufficient resource supply limits the large-scale application and improvement of aero engines.
However, at this time, the Japanese side "took the initiative" to send a big gift. They discovered rich cobalt mines in the African Congo, which gave the mines to China, solving a long-standing problem for China's aviation industry.
The importance and rarity of cobalt
Cobalt-based alloys are important superalloys that are often used in key components of aero engines. Components such as turbine blades, nozzles and turbine discs in aero engines must also maintain good mechanical properties when working in high temperature and high pressure environments for a long time, and cobalt-based alloys are one of the ideal materials to meet these requirements.
Cobalt plays an indispensable and key role in aero engines. The high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance of cobalt-based alloys enable the engine to operate in extreme heat environments, providing sufficient power and thrust to ensure the performance and safety of the aircraft during all phases of takeoff, flight and landing.
Cobalt-based alloys have good wear and fatigue resistance, which is essential for extending the life of the engine. During the operation of the engine, the parts often face harsh working conditions, and the wear and fatigue resistance of cobalt-based alloys enables these components to operate stably for a long time, reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacement, and reducing the maintenance cost of the aircraft.
When the engine continues to run, it will produce a very high temperature, and the cobalt-based alloy has good thermal conductivity, which can dissipate heat in time, create a good operating environment for the engine, and avoid mechanical damage caused by excessive high temperature.
Although cobalt plays such an important role in aircraft engines, cobalt reserves are very limited worldwide, which makes its supply a serious challenge. It is estimated that the current global cobalt reserves are about 700,000 to 800,000 tons, and most of the cobalt mineral resources are distributed in African countries such as Congo and Zambia.
However, due to the concentrated distribution of cobalt reserves and its high importance, the mining and supply risks of cobalt resources are high. Global demand for cobalt continues to grow, especially in high-tech industries such as aerospace and electric vehicles, and the demand for cobalt is rising year by year. At the same time, the supply of cobalt resources is relatively scarce, resulting in greater price volatility.
According to the World Bank, the price of cobalt has risen nearly fourfold in the past decade. In 2016, the international price of cobalt was around $25,000 per tonne, and by 2021, the price had soared to around $65,000 per tonne. Such price fluctuations put a lot of pressure on the aviation industry, especially for engine manufacturers, and the rise in cobalt prices directly affects engine costs and profits.
In addition, the global cobalt supply chain is relatively fragile and subject to political and economic factors in the African region. Cobalt mining in Africa has been affected by political turmoil and resource competition, which has made the supply of cobalt unstable, and may even be disrupted due to some unexpected events, bringing uncertainty to the global cobalt market.
So, how was cobalt found in Africa?
Japan's global prospecting strategy
As we all know, Japan is a small island country, not only has limited land area, but also very few natural resources. Lacking most important natural resources, especially energy resources such as oil, natural gas and coal, Japan has had to rely on imports to meet domestic demand. This has kept Japan in a resource-dependent position in international trade.
Cobalt is an indispensable and important material in the aerospace industry. Reserves are limited worldwide, and there are almost no recoverable reserves in Japan. Therefore, Japan needs to find other ways to access this scarce resource to meet the needs of domestic industry and economy.
Given its lack of resources, Japan has been actively looking for opportunities for cooperation, especially in resource-rich regions. As a resource-rich continent, Africa has attracted the attention of many countries. For Japan, cooperation with Africa can not only meet its domestic resource needs, but also enhance its influence abroad.
In overseas development cooperation, Japan often combines technology and aid, and wins the trust and cooperation of the country through aid and loans. Such an approach will not only help strengthen Japan's relations with other countries, but also promote Japan's own technological progress and industrial development.
In the process of searching for opportunities for resource cooperation, Japan has set its sights on Africa, especially the Congo, in the hope of acquiring some precious mineral resources. In cooperation with African countries such as the Congo, Japan has also sent technicians to conduct expeditions and explorations.
This time, Japanese technicians discovered cobalt resources in mines in the Congo. It was an unexpected gain, and a huge discovery for resource-poor Japan. The existence of cobalt ore means that Japan has access to scarce cobalt metal, further enhancing the competitiveness of Japan's aviation industry and high-tech industries.
Just as Japan was dreaming of making a fortune, the news came that Congo had decided to hand over the huge cobalt mine it had discovered to China.
Friendly cooperation between China and Africa
Since 1950, China has actively supported the independence and liberation movements of African countries and carried out long-term exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields. In recent years, due to the rapid development of China's economy, the pace of foreign investment has accelerated, which has brought new opportunities to many African countries.
China has provided African countries with the technical and economic assistance they have needed for a long time to build infrastructure and promote industrialization and modernization. China has accumulated rich experience in mine development and resource utilization, and has provided effective technical guidance and resource management experience for African countries.
China-Africa cooperation has always adhered to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, and both sides can obtain tangible benefits from cooperation. For African countries, granting cobalt mining rights to China can obtain stable investment and resource development, drive the development of related industries, and improve employment rates and people's living standards. For China, obtaining the right to exploit cobalt resources will help solve the shortcomings of key areas such as aircraft engines, promote independent scientific and technological innovation, and enhance the competitiveness of the aviation industry.
China has established profound political mutual trust and friendly relations with African countries. For a long time, China's assistance and assistance in Africa has been highly praised and appreciated by African countries. In this context, African countries' willingness to grant cobalt mining rights to China also reflects trust and friendship with China.
China has demonstrated strategic wisdom in resource cooperation, and has achieved effective development and utilization of resources through flexible cooperation methods and pragmatic cooperation concepts.
China advocates multilateral cooperation in resource cooperation and has cooperated with a number of African countries. Through multilateral cooperation, China can not only obtain more resource exploitation rights, but also realize the integration and optimal utilization of resources, and improve the overall efficiency of resource cooperation.
Chinese enterprises and African enterprises jointly participate in resource development projects to achieve win-win cooperation. In the process of resource development, Chinese enterprises actively cooperate with local communities to promote the integration of resource development with local economic and social development to maximize the benefits of resource utilization. This cooperation model not only promotes the common development of both sides, but also promotes the sustainable use of resources.
China regards resource cooperation as an important way to export technology and innovate science and technology, and improve the level of resource extraction and utilization in African countries through technology export. At the same time, China has also gained valuable technological experience and innovative achievements in resource cooperation, which has promoted China's own scientific and technological progress.
China emphasizes sustainable development and green cooperation in resource cooperation, and encourages the combination of resource development and environmental protection. Chinese enterprises have adopted environmental protection measures in the process of resource development to reduce the impact of resource extraction on the environment, laying a solid foundation for sustainable development.
China and African countries have demonstrated a pragmatic concept of cooperation and flexible cooperation methods in resource cooperation, and have achieved effective development and utilization of resources. The willingness of African countries to grant cobalt mining rights to China is also a manifestation of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.