A geologist said the ‘endless energy source lies right under our feet’
Scientists have discovered a ‘limitless’ energy source that may well end up powering a country for 60,000 years.
Despite humanity’s long history on Earth, scientists are still uncovering astonishing new discoveries about our planet.
The latest revelation comes from China, where a recently declassified report—published in the prestigious Geological Review journal—suggests the country may hold far greater reserves of a highly valuable radioactive metal than previously thought. This groundbreaking discovery could have significant implications for energy, technology, and global resource distribution.
Here’s a more engaging and polished rewrite:
China’s Hidden Power: Massive Thorium Reserves Could Fuel the Nation for 60,000 Years
Thorium—a silver-hued metal capable of generating 200 times more energy than uranium—could hold the key to a cleaner and more sustainable future, according to a groundbreaking report published in Geological Review. Unlike uranium, thorium molten-salt reactors produce virtually no radioactive waste, require no water cooling, and present a significantly lower environmental impact.
Recent research suggests that China’s untapped thorium reserves—buried within its mining waste—are far more extensive than previously believed. At the heart of this discovery is the Bayan Obo mining complex, which alone is estimated to contain one million tonnes of thorium. If fully harnessed, scientists believe these reserves could generate enough energy to power all of China for an astonishing 60,000 years.
“These thorium resources in tailings remain totally untouched,” explained Fan Honghai, lead researcher from the National Key Laboratory of Uranium Resource Exploration-Mining and Nuclear Remote Sensing in Beijing.
The potential of thorium isn’t just about energy—it also reshapes geopolitical narratives. A Beijing-based geologist, speaking anonymously to the South China Morning Post, noted:
“For over a century, nations have waged wars over fossil fuels. It turns out the endless energy source lies right under our feet.”
However, while this revelation is promising, extracting thorium presents serious technical and environmental challenges. The process demands vast amounts of acid and energy, making large-scale implementation a daunting task. Additionally, concerns linger over security risks—some fear thorium’s by-products could be misused, though experts affirm that the metal itself is not viable for nuclear weaponization.
As China weighs the opportunities and challenges of thorium extraction, one thing is clear—this discovery has the potential to redefine the global energy landscape for generations to come.
