Beijing
China’s hands have felt such a huge treasure hand that can fulfill its energy needs forever. A national survey in China has revealed the immense stock of thorium near China. The South China Morning Post quoted an expert as saying that this radioactive metal can revolutionize global energy production alone, which can eliminate the dependence of the world on the fuel fuel. China already has a large thorium reserves. However, according to the classified report of the survey conducted in 2020, it can actually be several times more than the previous estimates.
India has the largest reserves
According to a report published in the Chinese magazine Geological Review in January, only five -year mining waste from an iron ore site in Inner Mongolia has so much thorium that we can meet America’s domestic energy demands for more than 1000 years. The special thing is that India also has a huge stock of thorium. According to reports, India’s Thorium reserves are currently the largest in the world. The Department of Atomic Energy of India has planned to use the huge stock of thorium available in the country as a long -term option.
According to estimates from some experts, the Bayan Oo mining complex can produce a million tonnes of thorium when fully exploited, which is sufficient to give China fuel for 60,000 years. A geologist based in Beijing told the South China Morning Post on the condition of anonymity that it was revealed that the endless energy sources are just below our feet.
What is thorium?
Thorium is a silver colored metal named after the old Scandinavian deity Thor. It produces 200 times more energy than uranium. Unlike uranium reactors, thorium Molten-Sult Reactor (TMSR) is small. Can not melt and they do not even need to cool with water. Apart from this, they also leave radioactive waste in small amounts.
Last year, China approved the construction of the world’s first TMSR power plant in Gobi’s desert. This pilot project with a capacity to generate 10 MW power is expected to start by 2029.
The road is not easy yet
According to the survey, 233 thorium rich areas have been identified across China, located in five major belts. However, despite expectations, there are obstacles. A large amount of acid and energy are required to separate thorium from rare soil ores. About hundreds of tonnes of waste water is required to purify 1 gram thorium.