I doubt that a CANDU reactor can use neodymium as a fuel as it is neither fissile nor fertile. But it is very likely that it is used in some form of magnet somewhere in the reactor.

AS for producing, every single nuclear power plant produces neodymium as it is a fissile product. But so far i’m not aware of a single reactor world wide that separates spent fuel for something else than plutonium. Before it will be economical to separate out the neodymium other fissile products will be done most likely as Xenon for example is easier to extract.

I happened to be doing some research into thorium and neodymium. I read somewhere I believe that a CANDU thorium reactor uses neodymium and also produces it. Does that sound correct? If true, what would be the figures for a large scale project? Thanking you in advance.

D. Carlton Rossi

This issue will also add to the cost of developing a REEs mine. A small problem in a tough jurisdiction with strict regulations and enforcement can also mean delays through litigation by private parties in some countries.

Jack

I’m glad this issue is finally being addressed by rare earth industry representatives, as thorium/uranium storage and processing has not been addressed by many analysts or companies.

I have been reading a booklet by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) titled, “Communications on nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety; a practical handbook” in order to better address investor questions on this issue of radioactive storage and processing. It’s a bit of a dry read, but I highly recommend any serious RE investor to read something like this before making their investments. I think we can all agree, there will be multiple properties around the world that will get permitted due to radioactivity. Additionally, best practice control mechanisms will need to be thoroughly tested before any scaled production can take place. Unfortunately for the RE sector, this is going to add to the timeframe to reach production.

As always very good insight and comment. I thought that Great Western had already been granted their thorium storage permit by South Africa? I will reseach this next week.