A new discovery in China could be a game-changer for the global energy landscape.
Geologists in Beijing have revealed that an energy source found beneath the country’s soil could potentially fuel the nation for 60,000 years.
This energy breakthrough comes from the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, which could hold vast amounts of thorium, a material with the potential to revolutionize energy production.
What Makes Thorium So Promising?
According to a national survey, the Bayan Obo site may contain enough thorium to meet China’s household energy needs “almost forever.”
Scientists estimate that the mining complex could yield as much as 1 million tonnes of thorium if fully mined.
This thorium could drastically reduce the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, offering a cleaner and more sustainable source of power.
The report suggests that thorium reserves, especially in mining waste, are largely untapped and, if extracted properly, could change the way the world sources its energy.
Thorium in China’s Mining Waste and Its Global Implications
The study also revealed that just five years’ worth of mining waste from an iron ore site in Inner Mongolia could supply enough thorium to meet American energy demands for over 1,000 years.
Researchers have identified 233 thorium-rich zones across China, which, if the study’s findings are correct, would significantly increase the country’s thorium reserves beyond previous estimates.
This newfound abundance of thorium could reshape the global energy sector.
China’s Vision for Energy Independence
China has already made strides in tapping into this potential by beginning the construction of the world’s first thorium molten salt nuclear reactor (TMSR) in the Gobi Desert.
Set to be operational by 2029, the reactor is expected to generate 10 megawatts of electricity.
The Chinese government views this plant as a critical step toward achieving “energy independence” and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
A researcher from Beijing explained the significance of the discovery, stating that thorium could potentially provide “endless” energy and change the dynamics of global energy production.
Why Thorium Could Be the Future of Energy
Thorium is a naturally occurring metal that is slightly radioactive and much more abundant than uranium.
According to the World Nuclear Association, thorium has the potential to generate 200 times more energy than uranium.
While thorium has been considered a potential alternative energy source for years, extracting it in a cost-effective manner remains a significant challenge.
China is currently leading the charge in thorium exploration and development, though the U.S. has also shown interest in evaluating thorium-based fuel cycles.
Could Thorium Power the Future?
If China’s advancements in thorium technology continue at this pace, it could mark the beginning of a new era in global energy production.
For decades, nations have fought over fossil fuels, but as one researcher put it, “the endless energy source lies right under our feet.”
If the challenges around extraction can be overcome, thorium could become the cornerstone of a cleaner, more sustainable future, capable of powering everything from homes to cargo ships without the need for refueling.
This discovery could redefine how the world approaches energy, potentially ending the global reliance on fossil fuels and ushering in an era of virtually unlimited, eco-friendly power.