Turkey is one of the few countries in the world with its 790 thousand tons of thorium reserves. The 20 thousand-ton thorium reserve in Isparta Aksu is strong enough to meet Turkey’s 100-year energy needs.
In the past days, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “Many more different areas will be opened in energy.” Turkey has a hidden treasure for thorium. While the world’s thorium reserve is 1 million 780 thousand tons, Turkey is at the top of this category with its 790 thousand tons of reserves. With the thorium reserves found so far, it is possible for Turkey, which has entered the list of countries with the largest reserves in the world, to have a very large independent energy source if the necessary reactors are developed.
TURKEY RANKS SECOND
According to the data of OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), India ranks first in world thorium reserves with 846 thousand tons, while Turkey is second with 790 thousand tons and Brazil is third with 606 thousand tons. Australia is listed as 521 thousand, USA 424 thousand, Egypt 380 thousand tons.
100 YEARS OF ENERGY WITH ONLY RESERVES IN ISPARTA
While Turkey, which has a 20 percent share in the thorium reserve, ranks 2nd in the world, the regions where this mineral is found the most are Isparta and Eskisehir. The thorium reserve of over 20 thousand tons in Isparta alone has the power to meet Turkey’s energy needs for 100 years.
RESERVE NUMBER WILL INCREASED
Apart from this region, it is estimated that thorium reserves will increase as a result of more detailed exploration studies in Malatya-Hekimhan-Kuluncak, Kayseri-Felahiye, Sivas, Diyarbakir and Burdur-Canakli fields where thorium deposits have been identified.
GREEN ENERGY IS AN OPPORTUNITY
The fact that the countries of the world have recently turned to green energy studies makes thorium more valuable in another field. The energy crisis, which started especially in Europe, made the attitude towards nuclear be reconsidered. It has been announced that nuclear projects that contribute to the achievement of Europe’s climate targets and fulfill certain conditions are included in the sustainable investment list, namely the ‘Green Energy Classification Document’. The classification of nuclear power plants as green energy and the fact that it will start a new era in raw materials has already brought thorium to the fore.
IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE USED IN SINOP AND THRACE
Thorium, which is defined as the cleanest fuel of the new generation nuclear power plants, is aimed to be used in the nuclear power plant planned to be built in Sinop and Thrace.
