Korea Zinc (010130.KS) said Project Crucible, its planned large-scale integrated smelter in Tennessee, has cleared a major U.S. environmental review. The project represents an investment of approximately $7.4 billion, or about 10.2 trillion won. The U.S. Department of Defense completed its Final Environmental Assessment on the 11th and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact under the National Environmental Policy Act. The review covered air quality, greenhouse gases, water resources, biological and cultural resources, waste and hazardous materials, transportation, and socioeconomic effects. The result will inform subsequent federal and state permitting, the Department of Defense’s decision on financial support and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s review of power-infrastructure assistance, neither of which has been decided. Project Crucible is designed to produce 13 products, including 11 designated by the U.S. government as critical minerals, along with industrial metals and sulfuric acid for semiconductors. The project received FAST-41 designation in May, as the United States seeks to expand domestic critical-mineral processing and reduce dependence on China.