Korea Zinc announced on December 15, 2025, a $6.6 billion investment to establish its first U.S. operations in Clarksville and Gordonsville, Tennessee. The project includes a new manufacturing facility and headquarters in Montgomery County and the reopening of a former mine in Smith County. According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the company plans to create 420 jobs in Clarksville and 320 additional jobs in Gordonsville over five years.
What it means
The investment marks the largest single private corporate investment in Tennessee state history. The new facility in Clarksville will house Korea Zinc’s U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operations, while the project in Gordonsville involves reopening a mine that has been out of production since 2023. The former Nyrstar mine contains rare earth minerals essential for advanced military technology.
The announcement follows agreements with the White House, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and other partners, as well as an international recruiting trip to Asia by Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. Stuart C. McWhorter. South Korea has invested a total of $7.2 billion in Tennessee during Gov. Lee’s administration. With this investment, South Korea becomes Tennessee’s No. 1 international partner for capital invested statewide since 2019.
Key facts
- $6.6 billion: Total announced investment by Korea Zinc.
- Clarksville, Montgomery County: Location of new U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility.
- Gordonsville, Smith County: Location of reopened mine containing rare earth minerals.
- 420 jobs: New positions planned for Clarksville.
- 320 jobs: Additional positions planned for Gordonsville.
- Five years: Timeframe for job creation.
- 2023: Year the Smith County mine went out of production.
- $7.2 billion: Total South Korean investment in Tennessee during Gov. Lee’s administration.
Source: Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development news release