Thorium distribution in the soils of Peninsular Malaysia and its implications for Th resource estimation

•A preliminary investigation of Th availability in Peninsular Malaysia is conducted.•Potential of Th resources from beach placers, tin and heavy mineral industries are reviewed.•High Th anomalies are identified in most granitic plutons and extrusive volcanic territories.•Spatial distribution of Th in soil is produced in iso-concentration map.

As the national electricity consumption peaked over the years, and the reserves of fossil fuels are becoming scarce, interest in thorium fuel-based nuclear energy generation as an alternative energy source for Malaysia is renewed. This paper provides a preliminary investigation of thorium (Th) availability in Peninsular Malaysia. The study is based on assessment of Th contents in soil. Indicated by massive and fertile Th resources associated with granitic belts, 4 series of regional on-ground explorations are implemented in Peninsular Malaysia to obtain the baseline data of Th availability. The geological settings of Th prospect areas and the result of statistical analyses of Th data are discussed. The isoconcentration mapping of Th is developed and the Th prospect areas in Peninsular Malaysia are highlighted. The possibility, availability, production trends and economic issues of Th recovery from tin by-products and heavy mineral products, as well as the potential of black sand placer deposit as a Th resource in Peninsular Malaysia are also discussed.

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