U.S. President Donald Trump directly referenced Korea Zinc's construction project for a unified smelter in the United States as a significant economic achievement. Amid increasing export controls on critical minerals from China, the investment initiative led by Korea Zinc's CEO, Choi Yun-bum, is gaining attention as a prime example of U.S.-Korea cooperation in critical mineral supply chains.
On October 10, during a Republican midterm election rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, Trump introduced Korea Zinc's 'Project Crucible,' which involves the construction of a large-scale integrated non-ferrous metal smelter in the state.
Trump stated, "Korea Zinc is investing over $6 billion right here in Montgomery and Smith counties, creating 740 jobs. A new mineral smelter, the first to be built in the U.S. since 1979, will soon be established in your state." He added, "It will be a large and beautiful smelter, creating high-quality jobs with good wages."
Project Crucible is a collaborative effort between Korea Zinc and the U.S. government to build a major integrated non-ferrous metal smelter in Tennessee. The project was announced in December 2025, with a total investment estimated at around $7.4 billion.
The smelter will cover approximately 200 acres and is expected to produce 11 types of critical minerals designated by the U.S. government, including zinc, lead, copper, antimony, indium, bismuth, tellurium, palladium, and gallium.
Korea Zinc's investment in the U.S. aligns with China's tightening export controls on critical minerals. In August 2023, China implemented an export licensing system for germanium and gallium, among other minerals. In response, the U.S. is working to reduce its reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals essential to advanced and defense industries by building supply chains centered around itself and its allies.
Notably, the U.S. is reported to have over 70% reliance on foreign sources for key minerals such as indium, antimony, bismuth, and gallium. Korea Zinc aims to secure a production base for critical minerals through its U.S. smelter, thereby strengthening its position within the global supply chain.
Project Crucible has been highlighted as a key example of supply chain cooperation by both the U.S. government and international organizations. During a roundtable on critical mineral supply chains held in Washington, D.C. in August, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo introduced the project.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) have also emphasized the strategic value of the project in their reports. CSIS evaluated Project Crucible as a case of the U.S. and South Korea jointly building a critical mineral ecosystem.
Choi Yun-bum, CEO of Korea Zinc, stated in a letter to shareholders last month, "Korea Zinc is entering a new phase centered around Project Crucible. This project will position the company at the heart of the global critical mineral supply chain and lay the foundation for sustainable long-term growth, enhancing our global competitiveness and contributing to the stability of the critical mineral supply chain."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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