A Unique Thorium Mineralization in SW-Anatolia and Thorium Energy Utilization

The study area is situated in Southwestern Anatolia, to the North of Antalya and South of Isparta; within the area called ISPARTA ANGLE (Fig1, Fig2). Beside the tectonical attitude, the paleomagnetical, petrographical and geochemical data of Isparta Angle do not reflect any resemblance to those of Anatolia, yet have certain similarities with Gondwana. Gondwanian origin of Isparta Angle has been reported by several workers. (2,4,5) AMR ownes 18 identical Th and REE properties within an Area of 2500km2 in Isparta Angle (Fig2). The ore material is intensely weathered, highly potassic, volcanic, pyroclastic tuff of Lamproitic Origin. (1) Nimis-Taylor calculations of Clinopyroxene composition revealed a formation temperature of 1000°C-1200°C, a pressure of 40-50 kBar and a depth of 150km-180km which clearly indicate a Mantle Origin.(3) Monazites and likewise other REE Minerals are being accepted as a source of Thorium. However, the Th content of these minerals are changing between 0,1 % and 6 %. The main Th-Mineral is THORITE which, in its chemical composition contains 75 % Th. In AMR-deposits, Th is connected to Thorite and Uranothorite. The aspect which makes AMR’s Th-deposit a unique deposit is the liberated form of Thorite crystals with green and dark green shade. The chemical composition of Thorite is 17,47 % SiO2; 77,20% ThO2; 5,08 % UO2. The liberation of Thorite is more conspicious in non-magnetic fraction and this indicates that 75% of the Thorite is >95% liberated, with a further 13% having liberation between 80%-95% of Thorite. (6) Clay rich mineral sand with a ginger brown color is the characteristic ore type for all the deposits of AMR. This material is most suitable for Hydromining which is successfully applied in Çanaklı-1 Deposit. Besides; the very low levels of Thorite in the magnetic fraction are directly related to the presence of Thorite as small inclusions within paramagnetic minerals like Allanite and Chevknite. (6) The concentration methods applied to this material are gravity and magnetic methods; Hydro cyclone, Spiral and Shaking Table methods are applied in order to recover Heavy Mineral Concentrates containing REE, Thorite, Zircon, Titanium, Magnetite and by using Wet Low Intensity Magnetic Separator (WLIMS) Micronized Magnetite is being separated from this Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC). This concentrate will be extracted by Hydrometallurgical methods. During III. step of production, beginning on 2013, AMR will start producing 100 Tons/year Thorium as a side product of Rare Earths, Minor Metals and Magnetite Production. In 2011 AMR has signed an agreement with “Thorium Tech. Solution Inc. Japan” to represent them in Turkey and eventually to build a Thorium-Molten Salt Reactor: FUJI in Turkey.