Thorium is a naturally occurring silvery-white metal which exists in various ground ore deposits, known as thorium ores, across the world. Thorium is soft and malleable, and has a high melting point. It is one of the rare naturally occurring actinides alongside uranium and plutonium, and it is estimated that there is approximately 25 times more thorium present in the Earths crust than uranium.
Thorium is found in several different forms, most commonly as a natural ore called thorite, and less commonly as thorium dioxide (ThO2). Thorite is primarily composed of Th-232, while thorium dioxide contains the isotope Th-228. Thorium ores can range in form from hard rocks to sand-like substances, and range in color from black to yellow.
Thorium ores are typically mined using either underground or surface techniques. Surface techniques involve removing overlying material and drilling through the ore in order to extract it. Underground mining methods are more complicated, and involve large-scale excavation of earth in order to reach the ore. Once extracted, the ore is usually crushed and separated by flotation to create a concentrated ore containing a minimum of 65% thorium.
Thorium has relatively few industrial applications, but it is often used as a fuel for nuclear reactors, instead of uranium. In this capacity, it is considered a more stable fuel than uranium, and is less likely to produce dangerous radioactive waste products. Thorium can also be used to produce electricity through the use of breeding reactors, and may be effective at producing hydrogen fuel.
In addition, thorium can be alloyed with other metals, such as aluminum, to produce metals that are more versatile, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. Thorium compounds are also used in gas lantern mantles, as the compounds give off an intense glow when exposed to flame. Thorium has also been used as a coloring agent in ceramic glazes, and as a constituent of X-ray tubes.
Due to its wide availability and low production cost, thorium has the potential to be a valuable source of energy. While thorium has some drawbacks, such as its radioactivity, it is still being studied closely in order to develop a cheap and sustainable source of energy. If radiation concerns can be addressed, thorium could become an important energy source in the future.
