China Discovers Vast Thorium Deposits, Enough to Power the Country for 60,000 Years

China has reportedly discovered an extensive thorium deposit capable of supplying energy for up to 60,000 years, according to a recently declassified national geological survey. The discovery was made at the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, where scientists estimate the site could yield approximately one million tonnes of thorium if fully developed.

The survey, which identified 233 thorium-rich zones across China, highlights that significant thorium reserves remain untapped within mining waste. Researchers suggest that just five years' worth of mining byproducts from Bayan Obo contain enough thorium to meet the United States’ energy demands for over 1,000 years.

Thorium, a naturally occurring and slightly radioactive element, has long been considered a viable alternative to uranium for nuclear energy production. While not directly fissile, thorium can be converted into uranium-233, which sustains nuclear fission. In a molten-salt reactor (MSR), thorium is mixed with lithium fluoride and heated to approximately 1,400°C (2,550°F), where neutron bombardment initiates a controlled chain reaction. This process is more efficient than conventional uranium-based reactors, generates significantly less nuclear waste, and reduces the risk of catastrophic meltdowns.

China has been at the forefront of thorium-based nuclear technology, investing heavily in its development. The country has already begun constructing the world’s first thorium molten-salt reactor (TMSR) power station in the Gobi Desert. Expected to generate 10 megawatts of electricity, the facility is projected to be operational by 2029. Beijing sees thorium reactors as a crucial component of its long-term energy strategy, aimed at reducing dependence on coal and imported fossil fuels.

Thorium is estimated to be 500 times more abundant than uranium-235, the primary fuel used in conventional nuclear reactors. According to the World Nuclear Association, thorium can produce 200 times more energy than uranium, making it a promising alternative for future nuclear power generation. However, experts caution that cost-effective extraction and commercial development of thorium-based reactors remain key challenges.

This discovery aligns with China's broader nuclear energy expansion, which includes plans to build 24 new nuclear power plants by 2030. As Beijing advances its thorium reactor program, researchers continue to explore its potential for ensuring long-term energy security. A Beijing-based geologist, speaking anonymously, emphasized thorium’s vast availability and its potential to contribute to global energy stability.