Choi Yunbum-Led Korea Zinc Draws Attention as Key to U.S.-South Korea Critical Mineral Supply Chain Cooperation
Trump Touts 'Project Crucible' Achievements
at Tennessee Rally
With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, Korea Zinc’s “Project Crucible,” its project to build an integrated smelter in the United States, is drawing renewed attention after President Donald Trump mentioned the company during a campaign rally. The project is being seen as a key pillar of cooperation between South Korea and the United States on critical mineral supply chains.
Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yunbum (center) poses for a commemorative photo with company officials and U.S. counterparts at an official ceremony marking the launch of Project Crucible, a project to build an integrated smelter in the United States. Korea Zinc
View original imageAccording to industry sources on October 12, President Trump said at a Republican midterm election rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, on October 10 local time, “Korea Zinc is investing more than $6 billion right here in Montgomery County and Smith County, Tennessee, and creating 740 jobs.” He added, “Soon, the first new mineral smelter built in the United States since 1979 will be up and running.”
The smelter Trump referred to is a large integrated nonferrous metals smelter to be built in Tennessee. The integrated smelter will cover approximately 200,000 pyeong, and Korea Zinc plans to produce zinc, copper, and silver, as well as 11 critical minerals designated by the U.S. government, including antimony, indium, bismuth, tellurium, and palladium. The United States has so far relied on imports of critical minerals from countries such as China, but is expected to secure its own supply chain once the smelter is completed. The total investment is expected to reach approximately $7.4 billion (about KRW 11 trillion).
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Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yunbum said in a letter to shareholders last month, “Korea Zinc is entering a new phase centered on Project Crucible. This project will put the company at the heart of the global critical mineral supply chain and provide a foundation for sustainable medium- to long-term growth. It will enhance our global competitiveness and contribute to stabilizing critical mineral supply chains.”
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