Volume VIII: Atlas — Chapter 10: Resource Map
"Théxar gave us everything — metal, energy, water, land. Our duty is to take only as much as we can return." — The Codex of the Keepers, +1,200 Y.E.
Related sections: → see [Volume I, Ch.19, "Natural Resources"], → see [Volume I, Ch.12, "Geological Evolution"], → see [Volume VIII, Ch.08, "Geological Map"], → see [Volume I, Ch.33, "Thermonuclear Power"] Length: 20 pages
Introduction
The elevated metallicity of the protoplanetary cloud of Khar'Vex ([Fe/H] = +0.12) gave Théxar a unique mineral base. This chapter maps the distribution of key resources, described in detail in → see [Volume I, Ch.19].
10.1 Energy Resources
10.1.1 Thorium (²³²Th)
The strategic resource of thermonuclear power.
| Region | Reserves (million ru) | Share | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Thar Basin (Kharak) | 5.7 | 52% | 28°–42°N, 12°–28°E |
| The Serrin Plateau (Kharak) | 2.2 | 20% | 58°–68°N, 8°–22°E |
| The western foothills of Raal (Rhuval) | 1.8 | 17% | 48°–56°S, 85°–98°E |
| Other deposits | 1.2 | 11% | Scattered |
| Total | 10.9 | 100% | — |
Enrichment factor: 2.5 (relative to standard values).
Self-sufficiency: >50,000 cycles at the current rate of consumption (1,420 GW).
10.1.2 He-3 (Helium-3)
Extracted from the surface of the moon Thel.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Concentration in regolith | 0.002–0.005% (by mass) |
| Total reserves | ~60.6 million kx |
| Annual production | ~485,000 kx |
| Self-sufficiency | ~about 125 years at the stated consumption |
Mining complexes:
- Thel-He-1 (northern pole of Thel)
- Thel-He-2 (equatorial zone)
10.2 Metal Ores
10.2.1 Iron (Fe)
| Region | Reserves (billion ru) | Share | Deposit type |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Khar-Tor Ridge (Kharak) | 114.5 | 45% | Magmatic intrusions |
| The Raal Plateau (Rhuval) | 76.4 | 30% | Layered mafites |
| The Central Plain (Kharak) | 38.2 | 15% | Sedimentary BIF |
| Other | 25.5 | 10% | Skarn |
| Total | 254.6 | 100% | — |
Enrichment factor: 2.8.
10.2.2 Platinum (Pt)
| Region | Reserves (thousand ru) | Share | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Raal Plateau (Rhuval) | 52.4 | 48% | 42°–52°S, 88°–102°E |
| The Khar-Tor Ridge (Kharak) | 27.3 | 25% | 38°–48°N, 2°–18°E |
| Other | 29.4 | 27% | Scattered |
| Total | 109.1 | 100% | — |
Applications: catalysts (62%), electronics (28%), medicine (10%).
10.2.3 Rare-Earth Elements (REE)
| Region | Reserves (million ru) | Share | Key elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline massifs (Vexar) | 130.9 | 45% | La, Ce, Nd, Eu |
| Deep-sea brines (Gharra) | 72.7 | 25% | Y, Dy, Er |
| The Khar-Tor Ridge (Kharak) | 58.2 | 20% | Pr, Sm, Gd |
| Other | 29.1 | 10% | — |
| Total | 290.9 | 100% | — |
Applications: quantum computers, lasers, magnets, displays.
10.3 Agricultural Resources
10.3.1 Arable Land
| Region | Share | Main crops |
|---|---|---|
| The Central Plain (Kharak-Tor) | 48% | Khar-Grain, Ven-Root |
| The Thash-Ven Valley (Rhuval-Ven) | 20% | Rhu-Fruit, Tor-Leaf |
| Temperate zones (Vexar-Shan) | 15% | Sha-Vine, Mor-Seed |
| Other | 17% | Varied |
Limitation: only 12% of the land is suitable for farming (the rest is mountains, deserts, forests, tundra).
10.3.2 Forest Resources
| Region | Harvest volume (million sha³/cycle) | Share | Main species |
|---|---|---|---|
| The northern taiga (Kharak-Tor) | 326.5 | 45% | Needle-Bark, Khar-Pine |
| Temperate forests (Vexar) | 217.7 | 30% | Ven-Shar, Mor-Ven |
| Tropical forests (Rhuval) | 108.8 | 15% | Tor-Khar (selective) |
| Savannas (Kharak) | 72.6 | 10% | Khar-Grain (stalks) |
| Total | 725.6 | 100% | — |
Regulation: the Law of Silence — annual felling of no more than 0.5% of the forest fund.
10.4 Water Resources
10.4.1 Fresh Water
| Source | Availability |
|---|---|
| Rivers | High |
| Lakes | High |
| Groundwater | Medium |
| Glaciers | Low (frozen) |
Largest rivers:
- Khar-Tor (Kharak) — 870 mo
- Thash-Ven (Rhuval) — 776 mo
- Sharrus (Vexar) — 638 mo
Deficit: local in the Shan Desert and the highlands.
10.4.2 Oceanic Resources
| Resource | Volume/year | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Fisheries (wild catch) | 14.5 million ru | Thalas, shelves |
| Mariculture | 10.9 million ru | Coasts |
| Deep-sea mining (Moryn) | 1.2 million ru | Gharra (>1,220 sha) |
| Polymetallic nodules | 72.7 billion ru (reserves) | Bottom of Thalas, Gharra |
10.5 Geothermal Energy
| Region | Capacity (GW) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Khar-Tor Ridge (Kharak) | 62 | Highland sources |
| The Irkhen Chain (Rhuval) | 48 | Volcanic |
| The Thalas Rift | 10 | Submarine hydrothermal vents |
| Total | 120 | — |
Potential: could theoretically be increased to 300 GW, but profitability declines.
10.6 Orbital Resources
10.6.1 Solar Energy
| System | Capacity (GW) | Orbit altitude (mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital stations (48) | 420 | ≈38,000 km above surface |
| Expansion potential | +600 | — |
Transmission efficiency: 78% (microwave radiation).
10.6.2 The Asteroid Belt
Located between the orbits of Théxar and Zhal (1.15–1.65 AU).
| Resource | Reserves (estimate, billion ru) | Development status |
|---|---|---|
| Fe-Ni (metals) | 580 | Trial mining (+3,800) |
| Pt, Au (precious metals) | 12 | Prospecting |
| Water (ice) | 1,400 | Undeveloped |
Prospect: full-scale mining is planned from +4,200.
10.7 Zones of Silence (Protected Territories)
designated terrestrial and marine areas is declared Zones of Silence — territories closed to industrial activity.
| Region | Domain | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| The Serrin-Ur Reserve (island) | Island | Endemic flora |
| The forests of Vexar | Vexar-Shan | 31% endemics |
| Polar zones | Polar | Climate monitoring |
| The deep-sea reefs of Gharra | Island | Habitat of the Moryn |
Legal regime: prohibition on construction, mining, and commercial use. Access — scientific expeditions only.
10.8 Energy Balance (Current)
| Source | Capacity (GW) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thermonuclear fusion (Th + He-3) | 1,420 | 62% |
| Orbital solar | 420 | 18% |
| Hydroelectric | 240 | 10% |
| Geothermal | 120 | 5% |
| Tidal + wave | 83 | 4% |
| Wind | 25 | 1% |
| Total | 2,308 | 100% |
Civilization type (Kardashev): ~0.64 (transition to Type I).
Chapter Summary
- Thorium — 10.9 million ru (enrichment factor 2.5), 52% on Kharak.
- Iron — 254.6 billion ru (factor 2.8), platinum — 109.1 thousand ru (factor 2.2).
- Arable land — 12% of land.
- Forest resources — 725.6 million sha³/cycle, strictly regulated.
- Orbital energy — 420 GW, potential +600 GW.
- designated terrestrial and marine areas — Zones of Silence.