Re:China Invests Big in Clean and Cheap Energy from Thorium
by angry_octet on Tuesday August 21, 2018 @09:21PM
(#17815434)
Not only do we have low assurance that Australian uranium won't end up in weapons, but indigenous sources of uranium can now be dedicated 100% to weapons, instead of being shared with energy production. There is also the use of neutrons from 'energy uranium' being used to produce tritium from lithium-6, which is essential for producing fusion boosted and thermonuclear weapons.
http://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/north-koreas-lith...
Re:China Invests Big in Clean and Cheap Energy from Thorium
by beefman on Tuesday August 21, 2018 @08:25PM
(#17815107)
India has been a nuclear power since 1974.
Re:China Invests Big in Clean and Cheap Energy from Thorium
by femto on Tuesday August 21, 2018 @08:49PM
(#17815245)
I guess you're right under the definition of proliferation being a new nation gaining nuclear weapons. I was thinking of proliferation, in the sense of their being more nuclear weapons, even if it doesn't involve a new nation.
Re:China Invests Big in Clean and Cheap Energy from Thorium
by angry_octet on Tuesday August 21, 2018 @09:25PM
(#17815456)
I don't see any reason why countries committed to nuclear non-proliferation should endeavour to make weapon production cheaper. In fact, they should have to decide between peaceful uses and weapons of mass destruction.
India has made an explicit decision not to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). As a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia is supposed to export only to countries that have signed the NPT. An exemption has been granted to India. This means India is receiving uranium from Australia, but its facilities are not subject to the full range of inspections required under the NPT. It's reasonable to assume that India will go as far as it can in its role as a non-signatory to the NPT.
Essentially India said "trust us", and Australia said "show us the money."