Highlights
- China’s geological survey reveals vast thorium reserves that could power the nation for 60,000 years, positioning the country as a potential leader in next-generation nuclear energy.
- The world’s first thorium molten-salt reactor is under construction in the Gobi Desert, promising a more efficient and cleaner alternative to traditional uranium-based nuclear power.
- Despite the significant potential, challenges remain in economically extracting thorium and managing the environmental impacts of nuclear technology development.
China’s recent discovery of vast thorium reserves beneath the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia could reshape the global energy landscape. According to (opens in a new tab) the South China Morning Post (SCMP), from February 28, a newly declassified national geological survey points to China possessing enough thorium to power the nation for up to 60,000 years. This revelation concerning this critical mineral (not a rare earth element) underscores the growing international race to develop advanced nuclear technologies and transition away from fossil fuels.
World’s largest REE mine
Bayan Obo, known as the world’s largest rare-earth element mine, has long been a strategic asset for China. The mine is operated by China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co., a subsidiary of Baogang Group, one of the country’s largest state-owned enterprises in the steel and mining industry. The Chinese government maintains substantial influence over these operations, reflecting the broader structure of China’s economic system, where many nominally private firms have deep ties to state institutions. A study by Stanford University’s Center on China’s Economy and Institutions found that as of 2019, nearly 78% of China’s top private enterprises had equity connections with government entities. This entanglement ensures that strategic resources, such as rare-earth elements and nuclear materials, remain under Beijing’s effective control.
Converts to uranium-233
Thorium, a slightly radioactive metal, has long been viewed as a potential alternative to uranium in nuclear power generation. Unlike uranium, thorium is not naturally fissile, meaning it cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction on its own. However, when bombarded with neutrons in a molten-salt reactor, it converts into uranium-233, which can then undergo fission, releasing heat and producing energy. This process results in a cleaner and more efficient nuclear reaction than conventional uranium-based reactors, generating significantly less long-lived radioactive waste.
Nuclear energy race
China’s thorium discovery comes at a time when global powers are vying to modernize and expand their nuclear capabilities. The United States and Russia continue to invest in next-generation nuclear technologies, with Russia remaining a major exporter of nuclear reactors worldwide. Meanwhile, the U.S. has struggled to maintain its position in the nuclear energy race. The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration has even warned that, given China and Russia’s rapid advancements, America may need to restart its nuclear weapons testing programs for the first time since 1992.
World’s first thorium molten-salt reactor
The Chinese government has already begun capitalizing on its thorium reserves. Last year, Beijing approved the construction of the world’s first thorium molten-salt reactor (TMSR) in the Gobi Desert, designed to generate 10 megawatts of electricity. The project, led by the Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute (opens in a new tab), aims to establish China as the global leader in thorium-based nuclear technology. If successful, this development could render uranium-fueled reactors obsolete and significantly reduce dependence on coal and oil.
Questions remain
Despite its potential, thorium-based nuclear power is not without challenges. Extracting thorium in an economically viable manner remains a hurdle, as current mining and refinement processes are still in early development. Moreover, the environmental consequences of mining operations in Bayan Obo have raised concerns. Reports from Harvard International Review highlight the ecological damage caused by rare-earth mining, including soil contamination and radioactive waste storage issues. While thorium reactors generate less nuclear waste than traditional uranium reactors, the long-term management of radioactive byproducts remains an unresolved issue.
Game changer?
China’s discovery of vast thorium reserves at Bayan Obo could shake up global energy markets. With government-backed companies at the helm and a well-defined strategy to develop molten-salt reactors, China is positioning itself as the world leader in next-generation nuclear energy. However, the road ahead is complex. Economic, technological, and environmental challenges must be addressed before thorium can fully replace conventional nuclear fuels. As China moves forward with its ambitious plans, the rest of the world will be watching closely, considering the geopolitical and environmental implications of this monumental energy shift.
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