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Thorium: Does Crustal Abundance Lead to Economic Availability?

Author

Listed:
  • Brett W. Jordan

    (Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines)

  • Rod Eggert

    (Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines)

  • Brent Dixon

    (Idaho National Laboratory)

  • Brett Carlsen

    (Idaho National Laboratory)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Brett W. Jordan & Rod Eggert & Brent Dixon & Brett Carlsen, 2014. "Thorium: Does Crustal Abundance Lead to Economic Availability?," Working Papers 2014-07, Colorado School of Mines, Division of Economics and Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:mns:wpaper:wp201407
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    File URL: http://econbus-papers.mines.edu/working-papers/wp201407.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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