Nyrstar has announced a proposed sale of its U.S. operations to South Korea’s Korea Zinc, a deal that would transfer ownership of the East Tennessee and Mid Tennessee mining complexes and the Clarksville zinc smelter.
The transaction, unveiled on December 15, would see Korea Zinc develop a new, large-scale integrated smelting facility in Clarksville, Tennessee, subject to regulatory approval. Closing is expected in the first half of 2026.
The Clarksville plant is a strategic asset for the United States. It is the country’s only primary zinc smelter and has been operating for nearly 50 years, forming a complete domestic mine-to-metals value chain together with the nearby mining complexes.
Nyrstar said the transaction would help secure long-term U.S. supplies of zinc and zinc by-products, while leveraging Korea Zinc’s expertise in advanced smelting technologies.
While the assets involved are located in the U.S., the deal also has a clear Belgian connection. Nyrstar has deep roots in Belgium, where it originated and built much of its industrial expertise.
The company historically operated major zinc smelters in locations such as Balen and Overpelt, and it long stood as a flagship of Belgium’s non-ferrous metals industry. That technical know-how, developed in Belgium and later expanded internationally, underpins the U.S. operations now being sold.
Nyrstar, whose corporate office is today based in Budel-Dorplein in the Netherlands near the Belgian border, said it will continue to focus on producing metals critical for energy, defense and technology applications. The group plans to maintain significant investments in its smelters in Europe and Australia, while continuing to work with U.S. authorities on securing critical minerals supply chains.
The company employs around 4,000 people worldwide and is wholly owned by commodities trader Trafigura.
