Salient U.S. Thorium Statistics

This table presents key data on the production, trade, and pricing of thorium-related materials in the United States over recent years. It includes figures for the gross weight of thorium ores and concentrates produced domestically, as well as exports and imports of both ores and thorium compounds. Additionally, the table provides annual average prices for thorium compounds in select countries. This information is critical for understanding the economic and industrial landscape of thorium, a material with potential applications in nuclear energy, advanced materials, and other high-technology sectors. Monitoring these statistics helps stakeholders assess supply chain dynamics, market trends, and the strategic importance of thorium in the U.S. mineral economy.

Analysis of the data reveals a significant decline in reported domestic production of thorium ores and concentrates from an estimated 1,700 metric tons in 2019 to 960 metric tons in 2020, with subsequent years’ production withheld to protect proprietary information. Exports of thorium ores similarly dropped sharply from 1,680 metric tons in 2019 to 958 metric tons in 2020, then fell to just 22 metric tons in 2022 before data was again withheld in 2023. Conversely, exports of thorium compounds showed a fluctuating trend, decreasing from 154 metric tons in 2019 to 26 metric tons in 2022, then rising to 65 metric tons in 2023. Imports of thorium ores were minimal and inconsistent, with small quantities recorded in 2020 and 2021 but none reported in other years. Notably, the average price of thorium compounds in France remained relatively stable around $29 per kilogram, while India’s price, unavailable for several years, surged to $74 per kilogram in 2023. These patterns suggest a contraction in domestic thorium ore production and export activity, alongside a more variable market for processed thorium compounds, reflecting shifting demand and supply conditions in the U.S. and global thorium markets.