A recently declassified geological survey suggests that China may have far more thorium than previously estimated, placing the country at the forefront of next-generation nuclear energy.
The discovery, centered around the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, could contain over one million tons of thorium, potentially providing 60,000 years of clean energy.
This breakthrough comes as China aggressively pursues thorium-based molten salt reactors (TMSRs), a nuclear technology that could replace uranium reactors and significantly reduce nuclear waste.
A New Energy Frontier in Inner Mongolia
For decades, thorium has been regarded as a potential alternative to uranium for nuclear energy, yet its widespread adoption has remained elusive. The Bayan Obo mining complex, located in China’s northern region, has long been recognized as one of the world’s largest sources of rare earth metals, crucial for high-tech industries.
However, a recent geological survey has suggested that the mining waste from these operations contains massive concentrations of thorium. According to Indrastra, these deposits could provide a nearly inexhaustible energy supply—potentially transforming the global nuclear power landscape.
Why Thorium Could Revolutionize Nuclear Energy
Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that is three to four times more abundant than uranium in the Earth’s crust. When used in molten salt reactors, thorium can generate up to 200 times more energy per ton than uranium. This higher efficiency could make nuclear energy significantly more sustainable in the long term.
Another major advantage of thorium is its ability to produce less nuclear waste compared to uranium-based reactors. Traditional nuclear power plants generate long-lived radioactive byproducts that pose environmental and security risks for thousands of years. In contrast, thorium reactors produce far less hazardous waste, making storage and disposal easier.
Safety is another key factor driving interest in thorium. Unlike conventional uranium reactors, molten salt reactors are designed to be self-regulating. If the reactor overheats, the fuel automatically drains into a separate chamber, where the reaction stops. This built-in safety feature reduces the risk of nuclear meltdowns, a concern that has long plagued public perception of nuclear energy.
Thorium also poses a lower risk of nuclear proliferation. Unlike uranium and plutonium, thorium cannot be directly used to build nuclear weapons, making it a more politically viable energy source for nations seeking energy independence without raising security concerns.
Several countries, including India, France, and the United States, have experimented with thorium reactors, but China has taken a leading role by actively developing prototype reactors.
The Challenges of a Thorium-Powered Future
Despite its advantages, thorium has yet to replace uranium as the dominant nuclear fuel. One of the primary challenges is its complex extraction and processing. Thorium is typically found in monazite sands and other mineral deposits, requiring expensive and environmentally challenging methods to extract and refine.
Another significant hurdle is the need for specialized reactors. Unlike uranium-235, which is naturally fissile and can sustain a chain reaction on its own, thorium requires an external neutron source to be converted into uranium-233, which can then be used as fuel. This additional step makes reactor design more complicated and costly.
Developing thorium reactors would also require massive infrastructure investments. Most of the world’s existing nuclear power plants are designed to run on uranium, meaning a transition to thorium would involve the construction of new facilities and regulatory approvals, adding to the financial burden.
China, however, is determined to overcome these obstacles. In 2021, the country launched its first experimental molten salt reactor in the northwestern desert city of Wuwei, Gansu Province. If successful, this prototype could pave the way for a full-scale commercial thorium reactor by 2030.
A Race for Nuclear Dominance?
While China is currently leading the push for thorium energy, other nations are closely monitoring its progress. The United States, India, France, and Russia have all explored thorium reactor technology in the past, with India being one of the most enthusiastic proponents due to its large domestic thorium reserves.
However, China’s recent discovery could give it a strategic edge in nuclear energy development. If these reserves are fully verified and successfully harnessed, thorium could become a cornerstone of China’s long-term energy strategy, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and cementing its position as a global leader in next-generation nuclear technology.
