Uranium and Thorium: The Extreme Diversity of the Resources of the World’s Energy Minerals

摘要: Uranium and thorium represent two elements which can be used for the production of energy. The types uranium deposits, mechanisms driving their genesis resources are relatively well known because extensive exploration programs scientific research projects have been developed worldwide since early 1950s. However, there still several U deposits underexplored such as those related to Na-metasomatism, others with low grade but large tonnages phosphates, mining has discontinued, may become significant in future depending evolution prices. At opposite, Th poorly extremely limited commercial use this commodity. Recent evaluations show however that they important identified resources, a better evaluation cost extraction most these is crucially needed. cycle does not need costly enrichment process required nuclear reactors totality burned power station, at least theoretically, probably significantly higher than U.