China may have unlocked a nearly limitless energy source that could sustain the nation for tens of thousands of years. A recently declassified geological survey has revealed that the country’s thorium reserves, already considered among the world’s largest, may have been vastly underestimated.
Scientists believe that this radioactive metal could transform the energy industry, providing an alternative to fossil fuels and conventional uranium-based nuclear power. The discovery is centered around the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, one of the world’s most significant rare earth mineral sites.
According to the survey, waste from iron ore extraction at this location alone contains enough thorium to power every U.S. household for more than 1,000 years. Some estimates suggest that, if fully exploited, these reserves could provide China with a stable energy supply for up to 60,000 years.
A Potential Game-Changer in Nuclear Energy
Thorium has long been considered a promising alternative nuclear fuel. Unlike uranium, it produces less long-lived radioactive waste and is significantly more abundant in the Earth’s crust.
The key to its potential lies in molten salt reactor technology, which allows thorium to be converted into uranium-233, a material capable of sustaining a nuclear reaction. Unlike conventional uranium reactors, molten salt reactors operate at lower pressures, reducing the risk of catastrophic meltdowns.
In 2021, China built the world’s first experimental thorium molten salt reactor (TMSR) in the Gobi Desert. This project was designed to test the viability of thorium as a primary energy source and marks a significant step toward commercializing thorium power. If successful, thorium reactors could provide a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable form of nuclear energy.
Could Thorium Replace Fossil Fuels?
China’s energy sector is still heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for more than 55% of the country’s energy consumption. A transition to thorium-based nuclear energy could dramatically reduce carbon emissions, lessen reliance on imported fossil fuels, and position China as a global leader in next-generation nuclear power.
However, significant technological and logistical hurdles remain. Existing nuclear plants are designed for uranium, meaning an industry-wide shift to thorium would require extensive infrastructure development.
While molten salt reactors have demonstrated promise, scaling them up for commercial use will demand further research and engineering breakthroughs. The energy industry is still dominated by fossil fuels and traditional nuclear power, and any large-scale transition will require strong political and economic backing.
The Future of Thorium Energy
China’s thorium reserves could represent one of the most important energy discoveries of the century, but whether the country can successfully harness them remains to be seen.
The coming years will determine whether thorium becomes the fuel of the future or remains an untapped resource. If China succeeds in scaling up its molten salt reactor technology, this breakthrough could reshape the global energy landscape, challenging fossil fuels and redefining the role of nuclear power.
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China was not the first. Oak Ridge National Laboratories operated a thorium-based nuclear reactor called the Molten-Salt Reactor (MSRE) from 1965-1969.