Thorium: Crustal abundance, joint production, and economic availability

Brett W. Jordan, Roderick Eggert, Brent W. Dixon and Brett W. Carlsen
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Brett J Watson

Resources Policy, 2015, vol. 44, issue C, 81-93

Abstract: Recently, interest in thorium׳s potential use in a nuclear fuel cycle has been renewed. Thorium is more abundant, at least on average, than uranium in the earth׳s crust and, therefore, could theoretically extend the use of nuclear energy technology beyond the economic limits of uranium resources. This paper provides an economic assessment of thorium availability by creating cumulative-availability and potential mining-industry cost curves, based on known thorium resources. These tools provide two perspectives on the economic availability of thorium. In the long term, physical quantities of thorium likely will not be a constraint on the development of a thorium fuel cycle. In the medium term, however, thorium supply may be limited by constraints associated with its production as a by-product of rare earth elements and heavy mineral sands. Environmental concerns, social issues, regulation, and technology also present issues for the medium and long term supply of thorium.

Keywords: Availability; Thorium; Joint production; Cumulative availability curve; Mine cost curve (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L72 Q31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:44:y:2015:i:c:p:81-93

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2015.02.002

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