China has the potential to possess an almost unlimited energy source thanks to its abundant thorium reserves, as revealed in a newly declassified national survey.
One of the primary sources is the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, which is known to contain approximately 1 million tons of thorium. If fully utilized, these reserves could meet China’s energy needs for up to 60,000 years.
Bayan Obo is not only rich in thorium but also recognized as the world’s largest rare earth element (REE) mine, both in terms of recoverable reserves and production. It accounts for over 40% of the world’s identified REE deposits and nearly half of global rare earth production.
Moreover, mining waste from an iron ore site in the same region over a five-year period also contains enough thorium to power the United States for more than 1,000 years.
Scientists consider thorium a revolutionary alternative to fossil fuels and uranium in conventional nuclear power. This element can be used in molten salt reactors, which are capable of generating vast amounts of energy.
With the world’s first thorium molten salt reactor already under development, China has the opportunity to lead a global energy revolution and end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Thorium: The Cleaner Nuclear Alternative
Thorium has long been regarded as a promising alternative to uranium in nuclear energy. This element is more abundant in the Earth's crust and produces radioactive waste with significantly lower long-term impact.
Its key advantage lies in molten salt reactor (MSR) technology, which can convert thorium into uranium-233 to sustain nuclear reactions. Unlike conventional uranium reactors, MSRs operate at lower pressure, reducing the risk of catastrophic meltdowns.
China is leading the development of thorium energy, having built the world's first experimental thorium molten salt reactor (TMSR) in the Gobi Desert in 2021. Last year, Beijing approved the construction of a thorium reactor plant, expected to begin operations in 2029 with an initial capacity of 10 megawatts. This initiative is part of China's efforts to achieve energy independence while promoting the commercialization of thorium as a primary energy source.
Compared to uranium, thorium can generate up to 200 times more energy and is more naturally abundant. Its use in molten salt reactors also produces less toxic waste and is easier to recycle.
However, the main challenge remains the cost efficiency of extraction and processing. Currently, thorium exploration and development are primarily focused in China, with significant investments in research to realize a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable nuclear energy future.
The Global Nuclear Race
Amid the world’s growing reliance on nuclear energy, China, Russia, and the United States are racing to advance their nuclear technologies. China is aggressively expanding its nuclear power capacity, aiming to build 24 new facilities by 2030, while Russia continues to export nuclear reactors to various countries.
The U.S., despite being the world’s largest nuclear energy producer, has made little progress in increasing its capacity over the past three decades. However, with rising threats from other nations, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is reconsidering nuclear weapons testing, which was last conducted in 1992.
Beyond the energy race, competition for strategic mineral resources is also intensifying. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. signed an agreement with Ukraine to access rare earth reserves and critical minerals, including lithium, graphite, titanium, and uranium.
The deal includes the establishment of a Reconstruction Investment Fund, under which Kyiv will allocate 50% of its mineral, oil, and gas revenues to support national security and stability.
However, analysts argue that this agreement is not enough to challenge China’s dominance in the global mineral supply chain. China not only possesses the largest mineral reserves but also controls crucial metal processing technologies, making it increasingly difficult for other nations to catch up.
