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China may have unlocked a game-changing energy source that could sustain the country for tens of thousands of years. A newly declassified geological survey reveals that China’s thorium reserves—already among the largest in the world—are far more abundant than previously estimated.
A Hidden Energy Treasure Beneath the Surface
According to a report published in the Chinese journal Geological Review, just five years’ worth of mining waste from a single iron ore site in Inner Mongolia contains enough thorium to power U.S. households for over 1,000 years. The Bayan Obo mining complex alone is believed to hold an estimated 1 million tonnes of thorium—enough to meet China’s energy needs for an incredible 60,000 years.
A Beijing-based geologist, speaking to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on condition of anonymity, emphasized the significance of this discovery.
For more than a hundred years, countries have waged battles driven by the pursuit of fossil fuels. It turns out the limitless energy source we’ve been looking for has been right under our feet all along,” the geologist said.
What Makes Thorium So Powerful?
Thorium, a silver-colored metal, has long been recognized for its immense energy potential. Compared to uranium, it generates 200 times more power and comes with several advantages that make it an ideal candidate for the future of clean energy:
- Safer than uranium – Thorium-based reactors do not suffer from meltdown risks.
- More efficient – A single small reactor could power a cargo ship for years without refueling.
- Minimal radioactive waste – Unlike traditional nuclear power, thorium reactors produce very little long-lasting radioactive waste.
- No need for water cooling – This makes thorium reactors suitable for regions where water is scarce.
China has been investing heavily in Thorium Molten Salt Reactors (TMSRs), which use liquid fuel instead of solid rods, making them safer and more efficient. These compact reactors could revolutionize energy production, from power plants to ocean-crossing cargo ships.
China’s Thorium Hotspots
The geological survey, led by senior engineer Fan Honghai from the National Key Laboratory of Uranium Resource Exploration-Mining and Nuclear Remote Sensing in Beijing, mapped out 233 thorium-rich zones across China. These deposits stretch across five major belts, from Xinjiang in the west to Guangdong on the coast.
Most of these reserves are hidden within magmatic and hydrothermal deposits, often mixed with rare earth elements. This means that thorium has been overlooked for decades as a byproduct of rare earth and iron ore mining.
The Untapped Potential of Mining Waste
One of the most astonishing findings from the study is that the thorium contained in tailings—leftover mining waste—has been entirely unused. The Bayan Obo mine, the world’s largest rare earth mining complex, has massive reserves of thorium sitting idle in its tailings.
A Future Without Fossil Fuels?
With this discovery, China could be on the path to securing a nearly limitless, clean energy source, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and eliminating energy scarcity concerns. If fully harnessed, thorium could reshape the global energy landscape and reduce dependence on oil and coal.
As nations worldwide push for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, China’s thorium reserves may hold the key to an energy revolution that lasts not just decades—but millennia.
