Thorium ore

Monazite is a mineral that contains rare earth metals and thorium. During the processing the thorium is separated from the other metals and until recently it was discarded. Today thorium is recognized as a possible fuel for nuclear reactors and can be saved thus providing an inexpensive source of fuel. With the tensions between China and the US growing and since China is the source of rare earth metals the US will be forced to start mining and processing its own source of these metals. This is just one more reason for looking to thorium nuke power to solve the problem of climate change. The US will either wake up to this reality or soon find itself relying on China for both rare earths and thorium as China is well on the way to manufacturing thorium plants for internal use and for export. These thorium reactors will be small units which can be combined as the need for power grows. They can be sent to the needed locations and assembled on site. The need for power is world wide and especially in third world countries where these reactors will be well suited.