Choi Yun-beom speaks at Korea-Canada Energy and Resources Supply Chain Cooperation Forum, outlines economic impact of Project Crucible
![Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom speaks at the Korea-Canada Energy and Resources Supply Chain Cooperation Forum in Ottawa, Canada, on June 2. [Korea Zinc]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/09/news-p.v1.20260609.8bd351764e9b4277adb879307c9954e3_P1.jpg)
Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom attended the Korea-Canada Energy and Resources Supply Chain Cooperation Forum in Ottawa on June 2, where he outlined strategies for stabilizing the global critical minerals supply chain and stressed the importance of cooperation among South Korea, Canada and other key nations.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff at Cheong Wa Dae, recently visited Canada in his capacity as the president's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, meeting with major energy companies. Choi joined the trip as a member of a joint public-private economic delegation, Korea Zinc said Tuesday.
Choi highlighted the economic impact of Project Crucible — an integrated smelter construction project in the United States aimed at establishing a critical minerals hub in North America — and said the company would serve as "a key partner connecting critical mineral supply chain cooperation."
"Project Crucible is North America's largest integrated non-ferrous metal smelting hub, built on the world-class operational experience and technological capabilities of Korea Zinc's Onsan Smelter," Choi said. "It will not only diversify the critical mineral supply chain in the United States and North America, but also expand cooperation opportunities with Canada's critical minerals industry, strengthening supply chain competitiveness across the entire North American region."
Project Crucible is a large-scale integrated smelter that Korea Zinc is developing with the US government, with a combined investment of approximately 11 trillion won ($7.1 billion), in Clarksville, Tennessee. The facility is set to produce 11 categories of critical minerals strategically designated by the US government — including copper, silver, antimony and germanium — as well as semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid.
Korea Zinc expects that once commercial production begins in earnest in 2030, the project will help stabilize the critical mineral supply chain not only in the United States but across North America, including Canada.
![An aerial view of the integrated smelter site in Clarksville, Tennessee, being developed by Korea Zinc in partnership with the US government. [Korea Zinc]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/09/news-p.v1.20260609.45061d6f595941ffa78e51daf8ad685b_P1.jpg)
"Korea Zinc possesses world-class residue reprocessing technology," Choi said. "Processing high-grade smelting residues from Canada to recover additional valuable metals would help maximize resource utilization."
"This goes beyond simple waste processing," he added. "In terms of securing additional critical minerals, strengthening supply chain stability and realizing a circular economy, it will become a new model of cooperation that South Korea and Canada build together."
Choi also said the company plans to broaden its cooperation with Canadian mining companies and expand imports of raw materials such as zinc concentrate.
Korea Zinc is currently conducting an exploration project in British Columbia with Teck Resources, one of Canada's leading mining companies. If successful, the project is expected to produce approximately 100,000 metric tons of zinc annually.
Choi plans to consult with the Canadian government and other parties on infrastructure support — including roads and power — to help ensure the exploration project succeeds. The company has also signed an offtake agreement for zinc concentrate from the Kudz Ze Kayah mine in Yukon, which is expected to begin full operations in 2030.
"We plan to continuously expand cooperation with Canadian resource companies and mining projects to secure key raw materials needed for critical mineral production," a Korea Zinc official said. "Canada also recognizes the importance of supply chain stability, and we expect constructive cooperation between the two countries to grow further."
Choi has been accelerating on-site management globally to advance Project Crucible. On May 17, he met with Mitch Graves, chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors, to discuss securing early power demand for the US integrated smelter and establishing a stable power supply chain.
likehyo85@heraldcorp.com
