Comments on: Thorium: Time For A Change In Perception? https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/thorium-time-for-a-change-in-perception/ Commentary & analysis on rare earths and other technology metals Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:49:09 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 By: Gareth Hatch https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/thorium-time-for-a-change-in-perception/#comment-404 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:49:09 +0000 https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/?p=1256#comment-404 DM: my understanding is that the Steenkampskraal mine has permitting that allows for the storage of thorium on-site. So while there might not be a significant market for thorium at the moment, that mine would be well-situated to supply thorium in the future should it be needed.

Greenfields: with projects of this size, the risks of investing very significant sums of money are always a concern. However, in the context of the wider issues of energy demand increases, and the life cycle of existing, aging power stations, perhaps other factors will prevail.

]]> By: Greenfields https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/thorium-time-for-a-change-in-perception/#comment-392 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:52:16 +0000 https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/?p=1256#comment-392 Undoubtedly there are advantages to thorium based nuclear power over uranium based nuclear power, so hopefully for the good of global stability this technology is developed. My main concern though is that nuclear power plants are huge capital projects, and with the inherent environmental protest risk they already face, are power companies going to want to add the risk of new technology to their investment as well? Similarly, will their government backers be prepared to take the risk of potential failure?

]]> By: DM https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/thorium-time-for-a-change-in-perception/#comment-389 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:07:36 +0000 https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/?p=1256#comment-389 Is there a market for Great Western Minerals thorium, coming out of the Steenkampskraal mine? What is Thorium worth?

Thank you

]]> By: Gareth Hatch https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/thorium-time-for-a-change-in-perception/#comment-388 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:59:02 +0000 https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/?p=1256#comment-388 In reply to Tek.

Tek: I’m not sure of the answer to that, but I can tell you that US Rare Earth’s Lemhi Pass deposit is reported to have hundreds of thousands of tonnes of thorium present, making it just about the largest deposit of its kind anywhere… it’s no coincidence that US Rare Earths was formerly known as Thorium Energy.

]]> By: Tek https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/thorium-time-for-a-change-in-perception/#comment-386 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:52:42 +0000 https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/?p=1256#comment-386 Is Thorium always associated with REEs, or can a deposit be exclusively Thorium?

Thorium could provide the “responsible” link to get everyone onboard for a complete revamp of the nuclear generation industry.

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