The Trump administration said Friday it’s taking up the cause of a large zinc refinery planned in Tennessee, aiming to speed up the environmental permitting process for the first such facility the US has built in decades.
The decision to help Project Crucible, owned by
The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council will oversee the project under the FAST-41 permitting process, with the Department of War serving as the lead permitting agency.
The council’s role is to coordinate the many federal and state agencies that must work on permits, hold them accountable to deadlines, and make the process more transparent to the public. Under President Donald Trump, the council has taken a more active role than it has in the past, adding dozens of new projects to its to-do list and in many cases helping them secure permits dramatically faster.
The approximately $7 billion smelting and refining facility proposed in Northern Tennessee will produce 12 types of non-ferrous metals, including 11 of the 60 critical minerals designated by the US government, and semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid, according to the council. Some of the expected end products include zinc, lead, copper, gold, antimony, gallium, and germanium.
Even though many projects sponsored by the Permitting Council under Trump have moved forward, its involvement doesn’t guarantee that a project will receive all its permits and proceed to construction.
Environmentalists have voiced concerns that permitting decisions should be more careful and measured, and that speeding them up increases the risk of harm to the environment and human health. Zinc processing can release air contaminants and pollute local groundwater.
In taking on Project Crucible, the Trump administration is “accelerating critical infrastructure development and improving government efficiency to move this project forward without unnecessary delays,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) in a statement.
“This is great news for Tennessee,” said Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.) in the same statement. “This innovative project will strengthen the regional economy, create high-quality jobs, and secure American supply chains.”
Trump has issued several executive orders calling for more domestic mining and less reliance on foreign minerals as part of his ongoing campaign against depending on foreign nations. For example, in March 2025 he signed an executive order demanding more US-based mineral production.
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