Gov. Bill Lee this week announced the state’s largest economic investment: $6.6 billion joint venture between South Korea-based Korea Zinc and the federal government for a minerals in Middle Tennessee. Pictured: Tennessee State Capitol. (Photo: John Partipilo)
A South Korea metals company will invest $6.6 billion to build a minerals refinery on the site of a shuttered mine in Smith County, marking the largest single economic investment in Tennessee history, Gov. Bill Lee announced this week.
Korea Zinc will partner with the federal government in a joint venture that federal officials say aligns with the Trump administration’s goals to limit reliance on China for minerals critical to U.S. semiconductor, artificial intelligence, aerospace and defense industries…