Thorium: The Future of Safe and Sustainable Nuclear Energy

Kazi Abul Monsur#

At a time when the world is actively searching for renewable energy sources and striving to reduce carbon emissions by moving away from fossil fuels, thorium is emerging as a promising and sustainable alternative nuclear fuel. It is considered safer than uranium, capable of producing more electricity, and generates significantly less nuclear waste.

Recently, approximately 3.68 million tons of natural thorium (Th-232) have been discovered in China’s Sichuan Province. According to researchers, this amount of radioactive thorium could potentially meet China’s electricity needs for up to 60,000 years. Although this is still a preliminary estimate, the discovery has further strengthened the global interest and optimism around thorium-based energy. This new reserve is expected to surpass China’s previously declared proven reserve of 1 million tons, by several times.

Thorium (symbol: Th) is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can serve as an alternative to uranium in nuclear energy generation. It is primarily found in the Th-232 isotope, which can absorb neutrons and be converted into uranium-233—a fissile material. One of the major advantages of thorium is its inherently safe and self-regulating energy generation process. In Molten Salt Reactors (MSR), Th-232 absorbs a neutron and converts into uranium-233, which produces about 90% less long-lived radioactive waste compared to conventional uranium reactors.

India, especially its Kerala state, holds the world’s largest proven thorium reserve with around 846,000 tons. This has positioned India as a potential thorium superpower. Other countries such as Brazil (630,000 tons), Australia (590,000 tons), and the United States (40,000 tons) also have estimated thorium reserves. However, China’s newly discovered 3.68 million tons of thorium could significantly shift the global balance, placing it in a stronger position. Today, China is leading globally in the research and development of safe, radioactive thorium-based energy.

China is investing billions of dollars into the development of Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR) technology. In 2021, the country launched a high-tech experimental Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) system in the Gobi Desert, which is said to function as a self-regulating system with a reduced risk of core meltdown or nuclear explosion.

Scientists have confirmed that radioactive thorium cannot be directly used to make nuclear weapons, making it a “non-proliferation” fuel. Additionally, this radioactive element exists in abundant natural supply. Although the commercial use of thorium is currently very limited, high-purity radioactive thorium oxide (ThO₂) used for research can fetch a price of $3,000 to $10,000 per kilogram in the international market. While the technology is still at an experimental stage, scientists are hopeful that commercial-scale thorium energy generation could be launched by 2060 to help achieve net-zero carbon emission goals.

In conclusion, thorium-based energy is no longer just a subject of research—it is now being recognized as a powerful and viable alternative for the clean energy systems of the future. In the coming decades, it may well spark a new revolution in safe and sustainable global energy production.##

1. South China Morning Post, April 2024: “China discovers 3.68 million tonnes of thorium in Sichuan province.”
2. World Nuclear Association (WNA), May 2024: Overview on thorium resources.
3. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries: Historical thorium reserve data.