Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 960: Proper Management and Strict Protocols

Chapter 960: Chapter 960: Proper Management and Strict Protocols

"How is that possible? Mining in winter is dangerous! We can be trapped inside!"

"In spring, rainwater can clog the mines and lead to miners trapped inside and drowning!"

"Indeed! The soil also softens when it rains, so cave-ins become frequent. We might die inside!"

"There are a lot of miners who have died from such incidents before!"

The people refused to believe Norbert’s words due to past experiences they had encountered here.

"We understand that you may have worries since mining can be dangerous, and accidents may happen.

However, with proper management and equipment, appropriate strategies, and strict protocols, these hazards and the possibility of accidents can be lessened.

In Fidelis, after strictly following set guidelines and protocols and having competent management teams while improving and updating mitigating strategies, we have suffered zero casualties for the last 10 years in mines personally owned by my family," Norbert confidently responded.

"Impossible! I have been a miner for more than 10 years, and every year, there are a lot of casualties every time accidents occur," some from the crowd said in disbelief.

"Me too! That’s not possible at all! I know more than 10 of my closest neighbors who died from mining," another said.

"Please don’t lie. We already know the risks, but we go anyway because we need money," another miner added.

"I’m not lying. This is a record of the mines we own in Fidelis," Norbert opened a document, and Alwin used magic to show a bigger copy of it so the people could see for themselves.

The document was signed and sealed by Duke Fidelis, so it was a legitimate record.

Falsifying important documents like this was punishable by law, so this was a real one.

"It indeed shows zero!"

"The other mines not owned by their family have casualties, but it’s still so much lower than the yearly casualties here!"

"How is this possible?!"

Norbert smiled victoriously at their reactions.

"This is all made possible by years of hard work by our researchers.

In Fidelis, a part of our duchy was almost always winter and had mountainous terrain.

But we refused to give up on it because of the snow.

After realizing it was rich in underground resources, we resorted to mining it.

But we did not do it blindly.

When we mind and it leads to casualties, we have studied it for years, finding ways to minimize casualties and mitigate the hazards.

Years of hard work paid off, and we finally enjoy its benefits without zero casualties on our own mines and minimal casualties on other mines not managed by us," Norbert explained.

"Then, how did you minimize casualties?"

"What are the mitigating measures?"

The people finally believed Norbert after seeing the records sealed by the Duke.

Their curiosities were piqued since a lot of mines in Sibruh could be mined again if only they knew how to minimize casualties like Fidelis did.

"Please watch this recording of one of our mines. This was captured using a magic tool made by His Eminence," Norbert played a surveillance magic tool Alwin made.

Norbert and Riley had gone to Fidelis just to capture this recording.

Norbert also spoke with the experts in their dukedom and already found some who agreed to share their knowledge and experience.

Of course, they and the Fidelis Dukedom will receive a handsome pay for sharing the results of their decades of research in the mining industry.

"This is what the inside of our mines looks like, and these are our miners.

As you can see, all of them are wearing safety gear and are working following all imposed protocols and guidelines.

They also alternate with each other and have breaks every several hours to ensure they do not stay too long in an area and lose track of time.

There are also supervisors watching per area and ensuring that everyone follows the rules..."

Norbert showed them their mines that were wider than usual inside.

The walls of the mines were reinforced with ample supports to prevent cave-ins.

All their miners were also wearing protective equipment, even if it was hot inside.

There were also a lot of tubes providing enough ventilation inside to prevent heatstroke and ensure everyone had ample air to breathe.

[Even their mines look sophisticated! This is the difference from a rich dukedom to a far-flung territory like us?!]

[The supports they built looked so sturdy, but it must have cost a lot. Even the protective equipment is also costly for people like us.]

"This is only possible because you have a lot of money to pour into your mines before you begin. We don’t have that kind of resource here," a miner pointed out.

"That may also be true.

We spent a lot of money to achieve this level of safety.

However, in exchange, we earned more than a hundred times the money we spent on our mines," Norbert clarified.

"More than a hundred times?!!" The people gasped at the revelation.

The nobles and merchants who were silently listening suddenly considered investing in mining.

"Yes, you can earn this much. It’s because the level of productivity also increases as the safety of mines is increased," Norbert confirmed.

"But that is only if you are sure that the location you chose has ample resources to be mined. What if you don’t get much after investing so much money?" A merchant who had tried investing in mining operations pointed out.

"That may also happen.

Which is why, before mining an area, you must first spend money on an expert who can tell which area has the highest possibility of producing the ores you are looking for.

Only after that will you spend money on hiring people and buying equipment and tools.

So, for instance, if you lack resources, instead of opening several mines at the same time, you can open just one focused on a specific resource and ensure safety procedures and necessary training for all miners and workers you will hire.

And if you succeeded and earned at least more than 5-10 times what you invested, only then should you think of opening another mine.

You are lucky, though, since His and Her Majesty had agreed to invest in Sibruh.

The expenses to fully operate mines here in Sibruh will be paid by the Empire," Norbert clarified.

"All of it?!!"