China finds ‘endless’ energy source which could power country for 60000 years
China finds ‘endless’ energy source which could power country for 60,000 years
- Research suggests China has discovered significant thorium reserves at the Bayan Obo mining complex, potentially powering the country for 60,000 years, according to geologists in Beijing.
- It seems likely that thorium, a radioactive metal, could be used in nuclear reactors to generate vast amounts of energy, with claims it produces 200 times more energy than uranium.
- The evidence leans toward thorium being a cleaner energy source, producing less waste and no weapons-grade by-products, but its commercial use faces technological and cost challenges.
- There is controversy around the feasibility and timeline for thorium-based energy, with some experts questioning the 60,000-year claim due to current reactor limitations.
China’s recent announcement of a potentially “limitless” energy source, thorium, discovered at the Bayan Obo mining complex in Inner Mongolia, has captured global attention. Geologists in Beijing claim this find could power the country for an unprecedented 60,000 years, a statement rooted in a declassified report published in January 2025 in the Chinese journal Geological Review (China’s thorium survey finds ‘endless energy source right under our feet’). This survey, concluded in 2020, estimates the complex could yield 1 million tons of thorium, a radioactive metal with significant energy potential. This note explores the science behind thorium, the validity of the 60,000-year claim, and the broader implications, including technological challenges and global energy impacts.
What is Thorium and Why Does It Matter?
Thorium is more abundant than uranium and can be used in nuclear reactors to generate electricity, particularly in molten salt reactors. Experts like Nobel laureate Carlo Rubbia estimate that 1 ton of thorium can produce as much energy as 200 tons of uranium, or 3.5 million tons of coal, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels (Thorium-based nuclear power). It’s also cleaner, producing less radioactive waste and no materials suitable for nuclear weapons, which could reduce environmental and security concerns.
The 60,000-Year Claim: Plausible or Overstated?
The claim is based on China’s 2023 electricity consumption of about 9,220 terawatt-hours (TWh), suggesting 1 million tons of thorium could meet this demand for 60,000 years. However, this relies on advanced reactor technology not yet commercially viable, and current estimates suggest thorium’s energy potential might be overstated without significant R&D investment (Thorium – World Nuclear Association). An unexpected detail is that mining waste from just five years at the site could power U.S. households for over 1,000 years, highlighting thorium’s global energy potential.
