China can expand energy sovereignty with megadeposto de thorium

China may have taken a significant step to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and consolidate its energy sovereignty. A geological study conducted in the country, conducted by the National Laboratory of Exploration and Mining of Uranium Resources and Nuclear Remote Sensing of Beijing, revealed that the Asian power has farm reserves far superior to previous projections.

China was already recognized as the country with the largest thorium reserves in the world, but a recently published technical report in the magazine Geological Review Indicates that available volumes may be of magnitude larger than expected. The study identified 233 rich metal zones in five large regions of the country, especially in rare land ores, a group of essentials for electronics and state -of -the -art technology.

Bayan Obo’s megadeposite in the inner Mongolia is one of the most important of the study and can contain 1 million tons of thorium, sufficient to meet the country’s energy demand for 60,000 years.

And the new era of nuclear energy

The thorium is considered a strategic alternative to uranium, an element traditionally used in nuclear power generation. Although uranium is efficient, it has challenges such as the need for enrichment, the risk of fusion of reactors and the production of highly radioactive waste.

Already the molten salt reactors powered to thorium (TMSRs) offer important advantages:

• There is no risk of nuclear fusionbecause they operate at safer temperatures.
• Do not need water for coolingcan be used in arid places.
• Generate fewer long -term radioactive waste.

China already advances in the implementation of this technology. In 2023, Beijing approved the construction of the first experimental reactor of the Gobi Desert, which should go into operation by 2029.

Chinese scientists study the applications of the thorium for long -term space missions. China evaluates the development of compact nuclear reactors powered to bear to feed future moon facilities, a strategic step to expand its presence in space.

The impact of the discovery on the dispute between China and the USA

The revelation that Torium reserves are much larger than expected occurs in a time of climbing the trade war between China and the USA. US President Donald Trump announced new 10% rates on Chinese imports, justifying the measure with Beijing’s lack of action against fentanyl trafficking.

The Chinese government has not yet disclosed specific countermeasures, but experts point out that Beijing’s strategy has been to strengthen its technological and energy self -sufficiency, reducing its vulnerability to commercial embargoes.

The discovery of the thorium and advanced nuclear investments can consolidate China as a reference in the new era of nuclear energy, making sanctions and restrictions imposed by Washington difficult.

Technical and environmental challenges

Despite the strategic advantages, the exploitation of the Torium still faces technical challenges. Metal is often associated with rare land ores, a group of 17 essential elements for the manufacture of electronics and batteries. The separation of the thorium of these ores requires large amounts of acid and energy, which can make the process environmentally costly.

There are also concerns about the possible military use of the thorium. Some experts point out that waste generated in the reactors could be enriched for nuclear material manufacture, but analyzes indicate that these byproducts would not be suitable for weapons.

China advances while US imposes barriers

Chinese investment in the Torium is part of a broader strategy to reduce its dependence on imports and expand its mastery over strategic technologies. The country already controls about 70% of the world’s rare land production, essential for the high technology industry, and can now consolidate its leadership in the new generation of nuclear energy.

While the US restricts Chinese access to semiconductors and imposes new tariffs, China bets on innovation to ensure its protagonism in the energy sector.