Korea Zinc Wins Approval for U.S. Smelter Power Use; 230 MW Supply to Begin in 2029

TVA, the U.S.'s largest public power provider, approves request for large-scale power use
Project gains momentum after expedited permitting designation and environmental review approval

Korea Zinc has received approval to use the large amount of electricity required for Project Crucible, its planned integrated critical minerals smelter in Tennessee. Following its designation for expedited permitting by the U.S. federal government and the completion of an environmental impact review, the project is expected to gain momentum now that its power supply infrastructure is also in place.

Construction site for the new Crucible Metals smelter and a view of the Crucible Zinc smelter. Korea Zinc

Korea Zinc said on November 15 that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) held a board meeting on November 10 (local time) and approved a request by its subsidiary, Crucible Zinc, to use electricity. The approved contract capacity is 230 megawatts (MW), and the TVA is expected to begin supplying power in 2029.

The TVA is the largest public power provider in the United States, supplying electricity to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. Korea Zinc has continued discussions with the TVA to secure a stable power supply for operating the integrated smelter. In May 2026, Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom met with TVA Board Chair Mitch Graves to discuss establishing a power supply network and investing in additional transmission infrastructure.

Project Crucible has also made progress in key U.S. government permitting procedures. In April 2026, it was designated for the FAST-41 expedited permitting program administered by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. In September 2026, it passed the final environmental impact review and received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

Project Crucible is a project to build an integrated critical minerals smelter in Tennessee, with an investment of approximately $7.4 billion (about 10 trillion won) from Korea Zinc and the U.S. government, among others. Drawing on the expertise Korea Zinc has developed at its Onsan smelter in Ulsan, the company plans to produce 12 nonferrous metals, including 11 critical minerals designated by the U.S. government, as well as sulfuric acid for the semiconductor industry.

Construction is scheduled to begin next year, with commercial production of some products expected to start in 2029. The project is expected to create more than 400 new jobs locally.

A Korea Zinc representative said, "With the TVA's approval of Crucible Zinc's request to use electricity, the conditions for stable operation of the integrated smelter in Tennessee have been established. We will step up preparations for construction and work closely with the U.S. government and relevant local agencies to complete the project successfully."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.