Australia is a powerhouse in the production of thorium, a radioactive metal used in nuclear reactors. With an estimated one-third of the world’s total thorium reserves, Australia is the largest producer of the metal. Thorium is used to fuel nuclear reactors, and Australia’
Thorium-based nuclear power generation is fueled primarily by the nuclear fission of the isotope uranium-233 produced from the fertile element thorium. A thorium fuel cycle can offer several potential advantages over a uranium fuel cycle—including the much greater abundance of thorium found on Earth, superior physical and nuclear fuel properties, and reduced nuclear waste production. Thorium fuel also has a lower weaponization potential because it is difficult to weaponize the uranium-233 that is bred in the reactor. Plutonium-239 is produced at much lower levels and can be consumed in thorium reactors.