Thorium Statistics and Information

Thorium Insights and Data

Pictured: monazite crystal

Statistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodity thorium

Thorium is a soft, very ductile, silver-gray, heavy, metallic element of the actinide series of elements. While thorium occurs as the minerals thorite, unranothorite, and thorianite, it is often found in minerals like monazite which is the predominate commercial source. Thorium is more abundant than uranium, with widespread deposits around the world. Thorium is an important alloying agent in magnesium to improve strength and high‑temperature performance, and certain thorium compounds are used in electrodes and scientific reference materials. Thorium can be converted into uranium‑233, a fissile material capable of sustaining nuclear reactions. Many countries study thorium as a potential fuel for advanced reactors, including molten salt reactors.

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