REE Catalog
Energy · Th · Z=90

Thorium (Th)

324,000 tonnes of probable thorium reserves at the Venezuelan carbonatite complex. More energy potential than all 300 billion barrels of oil in the Orinoco Belt — clean, safe, and virtually inexhaustible.

One kilogram of thorium produces the same energy as 3,500 tonnes of coal. Unlike petroleum, thorium produces zero CO₂, cannot be weaponized, and generates waste safe within 300 years. India, the U.S., and other nations are actively developing molten salt reactors for this fuel.

90d 0.7%
$250/kg
Th
Symbol
324K t
Probable Reserve
~$250/kg
Metal Price
$81B
Reserve Value

Reserve Valuation

At current metal prices (~$250/kg), the 324,000 tonnes of probable thorium reserves at the Venezuelan carbonatite complex represent a commodity value of $81 billion USD. But thorium's true value is measured in energy: one kilogram produces the same energy as 3,500 tonnes of coal. The energy equivalent of these reserves dwarfs the entirety of the Orinoco Belt's 300 billion barrels of heavy crude — the largest petroleum deposit on Earth.

More Energy Than All the Oil in the Orinoco

The Orinoco Belt holds an estimated 300 billion barrels of heavy crude — the world's largest oil reserve. Yet the 324,000 tonnes of thorium at the Venezuelan carbonatite complex, if utilized in molten salt reactors, could generate more total energy than burning every last barrel. Unlike petroleum, thorium produces zero CO₂, cannot be weaponized, and generates short-lived waste that is safe within 300 years.

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Molten Salt Reactors (MSR)
Thorium-based MSR technology is being developed by India, the U.S., Canada, and other nations. Inherently safe — shuts down automatically on failure.
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Non-Proliferation
The thorium cycle (Th-232 → U-233) produces fissile material unsuitable for nuclear weapons. Compliant with all non-proliferation treaties.
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Minimal Waste
Thorium cycle waste reaches safe levels in ~300 years vs. 10,000+ years for uranium. Radical reduction of storage burden.
Global Abundance
Thorium is 3-4x more abundant than uranium. The Venezuelan carbonatite complex concentrates 324,000 tonnes alongside REE.

Energy Comparison

  • 1 kg Thorium = 3,500 tonnes of coal in energy equivalent
  • 1 kg Thorium = 200 kg of Uranium-235 in full fuel cycle efficiency
  • 324,000 tonnes could power all of South America for centuries
  • Zero CO₂ emissions during power generation
  • Compatible with Generation IV reactors (MSR, LFTR, ADS)
  • India already operates the KAMINI reactor using thorium-derived U-233

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Thorium is the most promising nuclear fuel of the 21st century. Register your interest in institutional supply opportunities.

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