Korea Zinc kicks off project to build smelter in Tennessee | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Korea Zinc Co., the world's biggest refined zinc smelter, said Thursday it has begun an 11 trillion-won (US$7.4 billion) project to build a critical metals refinery in Clarksville, Tennessee. The company held a ceremony to mark the official launch of "Project Crucible" in Clarksville on Wednesday (U.S. time), attended by Chairman Choi Yun-beom and President Park Ki-won, who is in charge of the project, along with U.S. officials, including Stuart McWhorter, deputy governor of Tennessee, according to Korea Zinc. The facility is scheduled to break ground next year and begin producing 13 nonferrous metals starting in 2029. "Through Project Crucible, we have embarked on a journey to open a new future that transcends Korea Zinc's past 52 years and to safeguard national security in critical minerals for future generations," Choi said, according to the company. "We will concentrate all our capabilities, experience and cutting-edge technology in Clarksville to build the world's leading critical mineral processing facility." Korea Zinc said it has recently completed the acquisition of a local zinc smelter and other related firms, and plans to carry out the project through expanding and renovating existing facilities. Officials from Korea Zinc Co. and the State of Tennessee pose for a photo during a ceremony to launch "Project Crucible" in Clarksville, Tennessee, on April 1, 2026, in this photo provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Senior U.S. diplomat cites Korea Zinc's multibillion-dollar investment Seoul, Washington may discuss using U.S. investment fund for Korea Zinc refinery: minister Lutnick hails Korea Zinc investment plan to build U.S. critical metals refinery as 'big win for America' (LEAD) Korea Zinc, U.S. seek to jointly invest in U.S. critical metals refinery Keywords #Korea Zinc #Project Crucible #Tennessee Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation (LEAD) Trump says S.

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SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Korea Zinc Co., the world's biggest refined zinc smelter, said Thursday it has begun an 11 trillion-won (US$7.4 billion) project to build a critical metals refinery in Clarksville, Tennessee.
The company held a ceremony to mark the official launch of "Project Crucible" in Clarksville on Wednesday (U.S. time), attended by Chairman Choi Yun-beom and President Park Ki-won, who is in charge of the project, along with U.S. officials, including Stuart McWhorter, deputy governor of Tennessee, according to Korea Zinc.
The facility is scheduled to break ground next year and begin producing 13 nonferrous metals starting in 2029.
"Through Project Crucible, we have embarked on a journey to open a new future that transcends Korea Zinc's past 52 years and to safeguard national security in critical minerals for future generations," Choi said, according to the company. "We will concentrate all our capabilities, experience and cutting-edge technology in Clarksville to build the world's leading critical mineral processing facility."
Korea Zinc said it has recently completed the acquisition of a local zinc smelter and other related firms, and plans to carry out the project through expanding and renovating existing facilities.
Officials from Korea Zinc Co. and the State of Tennessee pose for a photo during a ceremony to launch "Project Crucible" in Clarksville, Tennessee, on April 1, 2026, in this photo provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Korea Zinc kicks off project to build smelter in Tennessee

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Officials from Korea Zinc Co. and the State of Tennessee pose for a photo during a ceremony to launch "Project Crucible" in Clarksville, Tennessee, on April 1, 2026, in this photo provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Senior U.S. diplomat cites Korea Zinc's multibillion-dollar investment Seoul, Washington may discuss using U.S. investment fund for Korea Zinc refinery: minister Lutnick hails Korea Zinc investment plan to build U.S. critical metals refinery as 'big win for America' (LEAD) Korea Zinc, U.S. seek to jointly invest in U.S. critical metals refinery Keywords #Korea Zinc #Project Crucible #Tennessee Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation (LEAD) Trump says S.

### Implications
- The facility is scheduled to break ground next year and begin producing 13 nonferrous metals starting in 2029. "Through Project Crucible, we have embarked on a journey to open a new future that transcends Korea Zinc's past 52 years and to safeguard national security in critical minerals for future generations," Choi said, according to the company. "We will concentrate all our capabilities, experience and cutting-edge technology in Clarksville to build the world's leading critical mineral processing facility." Korea Zinc said it has recently completed the acquisition of a local zinc smelter and other related firms, and plans to carry out the project through expanding and renovating existing facilities.
- Officials from Korea Zinc Co. and the State of Tennessee pose for a photo during a ceremony to launch "Project Crucible" in Clarksville, Tennessee, on April 1, 2026, in this photo provided by the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Senior U.S. diplomat cites Korea Zinc's multibillion-dollar investment Seoul, Washington may discuss using U.S. investment fund for Korea Zinc refinery: minister Lutnick hails Korea Zinc investment plan to build U.S. critical metals refinery as 'big win for America' (LEAD) Korea Zinc, U.S. seek to jointly invest in U.S. critical metals refinery Keywords #Korea Zinc #Project Crucible #Tennessee Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation (LEAD) Trump says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, zinc, project topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 545.