Korea Zinc to Open Zinc Smelter in Tennessee

Korea Zinc has partnered with the US Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce to build a $6.6-billion smelter in the United States, backed by $800 million in working capital and financing support, the company reported.

The smelter is expected to produce 540,000 metric tons of metals annually. (Photo: Korea Zinc)

The deal supports Korea Zinc’s plans to expand operations, including the construction of a 650,000-square-meter smelting facility in Tennessee that will produce base metals as well as critical and strategic minerals, with phased commercial operations targeted for 2029.

The smelter is expected to produce 540,000 metric tons of metals annually.

Ores processed at the facility will come from Australia and the Gordonsville zinc mine, which is slated to be reopened in Tennessee. Korea Zinc operates the world’s largest smelter in Onsan, South Korea.

Eleven of the 13 nonferrous metal products planned for production at the US smelter are designated as “critical minerals” by the US government.

The facility is expected to strengthen critical minerals supply chains for the US, South Korea, and other allied countries.

The planned output includes industrial metals such as zinc, lead, and copper; precious metals including gold and silver; and strategic minerals such as antimony, indium, bismuth, tellurium, cadmium, palladium, gallium, and germanium.

The list also includes sulfuric acid and semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid.