GSI Discovers Thorium Deposits in Gundlupet

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) identified thorium-bearing mineral deposits in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, on 9 July 2026. The deposits were mapped across about 700 acres in Koothanur and nearby villages, and 20 acres were marked as a core area for excavation and mining auction preparation.

Thorium as a Nuclear Fuel

Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal with atomic number 90 and chemical symbol Th. It is used in nuclear fuel research because it can be converted into fissile uranium-233 in a reactor environment. Monazite is a phosphate mineral that contains rare earth elements and thorium, and it occurs in beach and coastal placer sands in India. Monazite is one of the principal natural sources of thorium and uranium.

Thorium Resources in India

India has some of the largest thorium resources in the world, and these resources are mainly associated with monazite-bearing sands. Major concentrations occur along the coastal belts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Thorium is classified as an actinide element in the periodic table, and it is radioactive with a very long half-life. Its use in the thorium fuel cycle has been studied in India for advanced nuclear energy applications.

Geological Survey of India and Mineral Exploration

The Geological Survey of India is the national organisation responsible for geological mapping, mineral exploration, and geoscientific studies in India. It functions under the Ministry of Mines and conducts surveys for metallic, non-metallic, and atomic minerals. GSI surveys often identify mineralised zones before auction or detailed exploration, and such findings are used for resource assessment and mine planning. The Gundlupet discovery follows an earlier survey in the Chikkammathayi Hills area, where thorium-bearing minerals were also identified.

Important Facts for Exams

• Thorium has the atomic number 90 and belongs to the actinide series.
• Monazite is a rare earth mineral that commonly contains thorium and uranium.
• India’s thorium resources are mainly linked to coastal monazite sands in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
• The Geological Survey of India works under the Ministry of Mines.

Thorium is studied as a potential nuclear fuel in the thorium-232 to uranium-233 fuel cycle. Gundlupet is located in Chamarajanagar district in southern Karnataka.