Stuart McWhorter, left, deputy governor of Tennessee and commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), tours Korea Zinc's Onsan metals refinery in Ulsan, Tuesday. Courtesy of Korea Zinc
Korea Zinc, the world's biggest refined zinc smelter, said Wednesday Stuart McWhorter, deputy governor of Tennessee, visited its facility to discuss cooperation on a U.S. metals refinery project.
Under the project, dubbed "Project Crucible," the company plans to break ground on a metals refinery in Clarksville, Tennessee, next year and begin producing 13 nonferrous metals from 2029.
During the visit, McWhorter toured Korea Zinc's Onsan metals refinery in Ulsan, and discussed potential collaboration on the U.S. project, the company said in a press release.
The Onsan facility will serve as a model for the planned U.S. smelter.
McWhorter said the Crucible project is expected to support the local economy in Tennessee, strengthen business ties between Seoul and Washington, and bolster supply chains for critical materials.
He also serves as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
Korea Zinc said it has recently acquired a local zinc smelter and related firms, and plans to carry out the project by expanding and upgrading existing facilities.
Source: Korea Times News
