The latest on the thorium cycle as a sustainable energy source

Abstract

Prof. Bangerter is committed to the application of sustainability principles to mining projects, especially in the design aspects. Philip has recently conducted a business review for Hatch and made a non-specialist's study of the Thorium cycle looking at it from a societal view-point and judging against uranium, coal and renewable energy options. There are many claims offered by Thorium advocates which make interesting discussion points for interested lay-persons and green energy proponents alike: zero proliferation risk, low engineering risk, low environmental damage, and low-carbon benefits with base-load capability. Philip has offered to present the Thorium cycle, outline its claims to sustainability credentials and offer a critique as a starting point for discussion.