Mountain quest reveals hidden riches

He also emphasized the challenges posed by the local coniferous forest vegetation. Thick layers of pine needles on the ground make it extremely slippery, and many team members have slipped off slopes and grabbed onto trees to stop their fall. The rugged terrain, with slopes reaching a 40-degree incline, makes the path difficult to climb, allowing them to cover only about 1,000 meters of straight-line distance each day, with their step count exceeding 10,000.

Unlike Wang and Zeng's group, whose work is almost done, Li Jinwang's group will be engaged throughout the entire exploration project. Their responsibility is to conduct geological mapping, a crucial phase where rock characteristics — such as types, colors, textures, and structures — are accurately plotted on a topographic map at a specific scale to uncover regional geological patterns.

"To ensure uniform recording practices, my group spent the first week at the known lead-zinc mine for field training and calibrating measurement protocols," Li said, adding that for abnormal rocks that are difficult to judge, they will carefully mark the location, take clear photos, and collect a sample to bring back.

The dense vegetation in Yunnan results in a relatively thick humus layer, which presents certain challenges for their work. As Li moves from place to place, he swings a geological hammer with his right hand to strike the rocks, revealing their internal structures. With a small instrument in his other hand, he conducts preliminary tests on the rocks' elemental content and physical properties.

"It can be very frustrating if no abnormalities are found throughout the day. However, no result is also a result and needs to be dealt with seriously," he said.