Korea Zinc Chairman Yoonbeom Choi Returns to US to Accelerate Core Minerals Smelting Plant Project

Consultations with US Government and TVA on Power Supply and Permitting
Reviewing Progress of "Project Crucible"

Yoonbeom Choi, Chairman of Korea Zinc, visited the United States to review the progress of "Project Crucible," the US integrated smelting plant project for core minerals, and to discuss cooperation measures with key local stakeholders.

Yoonbeom Choi, Chairman of Korea Zinc (second from the left), is inspecting the site of the US integrated smelter. Korea Zinc

According to Korea Zinc on May 19, Chairman Choi met with Mitch Graves, Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board, on May 17 (local time) to discuss securing initial power demand and establishing a stable power supply network for the construction of the US integrated smelting plant.

TVA is a federal public enterprise responsible for power generation, supply, and transmission network operation in the southeastern United States. Korea Zinc discussed building the power infrastructure in line with the project schedule, making additional investments in transmission networks, and establishing a long-term power supply system.

Mitch Graves, Chairman of the TVA Board, stated, "Project Crucible is an important project not only for the state of Tennessee but also at the federal level, so we will do our best to ensure a reliable power supply."

Chairman Choi then met with US Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, officials from the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the Department of Commerce, and officials from the Department of State to request cooperation regarding the application of the FAST-41 expedited permitting system.

US officials expressed their support, noting that Project Crucible is significant for restructuring the US critical minerals supply chain and for the reshoring of manufacturing. In particular, officials from the International Trade Administration and the Department of State emphasized the project's strategic importance in expanding the production capacity of critical minerals linked to the semiconductor, defense, and artificial intelligence (AI) industry supply chains.

Chairman Choi also highlighted the company's capabilities in e-waste processing and raw material sourcing through its US subsidiary, PedalPoint. With demand for e-waste processing rising due to the expansion of data centers and AI infrastructure, he explained that securing raw materials through PedalPoint could create synergy with the US integrated smelting plant.

Chairman Yoonbeom Choi of Korea Zinc stated, "Project Crucible is an important project that will contribute to stabilizing the global supply chain and strengthening the economic security of both South Korea and the United States. We will work closely with the US federal government, state governments, and Congress to ensure its successful implementation."

Project Crucible is a US integrated smelting plant construction project that began site preparation work this year and aims to begin phased production from 2029. It will produce 12 types of non-ferrous metals—including 11 designated by the US government as critical minerals, such as zinc, lead, copper, indium, germanium, and gallium—as well as semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid.

Korea Zinc plans to operate the integrated smelting plant by securing raw materials through recycling approximately 620,000 tonnes of smelting by-products at the US plant site, as well as through its own mines.

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