Thorium

The most common source of thorium is an ore called monazite which contains up to 12% thorium phosphate, but on average is 6-7%. Monzite is found in many places and estimated to be about 16 million tons which means one million tons of thorium. Nearly 100% of thorium can be achieved by a process called selective precipitation. There is a large vein of thorium in Idaho. Thorium is significantly more abundant than uranium and this makes thorium much more adequate for long term energy sustainability. All thorium can be used as extracted in a reactor. Thorium is considerably more environmentally friendly and a safer fuel source than uranium. One pound of thorium has the energy equivalent of 10 million pounds of coal but is carbon free.