Korea Zinc's U.S. Smelter Clears Federal Environmental Review; Follow-Up Permitting Underway

[Financial News] Korea Zinc's $7.4 billion project, Project Crucible, which it is pursuing in Tennessee, has received a "Finding of No Significant Impact" determination in a U.S. federal environmental review. This marks the completion of a key stage in the environmental review process, and Korea Zinc plans to proceed with subsequent federal and state permitting procedures. Project Crucible involves building a large-scale smelter in Tennessee to produce 12 types of nonferrous metals, including critical minerals and gold, as well as sulfuric acid for semiconductor production.
Korea Zinc said on the 21st that the U.S. Department of War had completed its Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) on the 11th local time, reviewing the environmental impact of Project Crucible's construction and operation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and had finalized a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
In the assessment, the U.S. Department of War comprehensively reviewed air quality and greenhouse gases, water resources, biological and cultural resources, waste and hazardous materials, transportation, and socioeconomic impacts. After consulting with relevant agencies, it determined that Project Crucible would not have a significant impact on the surrounding environment.
The final environmental assessment will be used in future federal and state government decision-making and individual permitting processes related to the project. The Department of War will use the results when deciding whether to provide project financing, while the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will use them in decision-making related to power infrastructure support.
Earlier, Project Crucible became the first FAST-41 project designated by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council after it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tennessee in May.
A Korea Zinc official said, "Based on the technological expertise and operating know-how of the Onsan Smelter, which produces more than 10 critical minerals, we plan to build an advanced smelting facility in the United States that complies with local environmental and regulatory standards."

[email protected] Kim Mi-hee Reporter