Energy From Thorium Discussion Forum

Britain's nuclear strategy threatens destruction of Kalahari

Apparently it is only mining for uranium that causes any environmental issues.
They use fairy dust to build wind turbines, and coal in the Appalacians must have a bad rap

Dave, you should post a comment talking about how Britain's use of their separated plutonium and the thorium already mined in the US would enable them to provide all their power without the need for additional uranium mining.

We've been studying uranium mining in my fuel-cycle class and I really have been amazed how few mines there are and how diffuse a resource uranium is within those mines. I have a greater appreciation for why a lot of people aren't crazy about lots of additional uranium mining.

Kirk, unfortunately there is no facility on the article to post a reply.
I understand that uranium mining is not a pleasant process, but surely it pales compared to the devastation coal mining causes?
I wonder also about the mining needed to produce the ~10 times the steel and concrete needed for wind power, and the environmental impact of mining rare earths and processing needed for solar panels.

Plans are now afoot in the UK to build a waste repository:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/p ... 908914.ece

Hopefully we can divert the £18bn to build LFTR's, and simultaneously solve the long-term storage issue!

The streamlined planning proposals should mean that autholrisation takes only a year for a site, although in wonder if some challenges will be made in the European Court.