Operating rates of zinc die-casting plants dip to 50.7% in May

Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom said the company plans to expand the Onsan Smelter’s portfolio of metals, materials and byproducts from about 20 items currently to more than 30 over the next five years, reducing its reliance on the price of any single metal. Korea Zinc said the portfolio had grown from 12 items to about 20 over the past two decades, supported by the recovery, refining and commercialization of metals contained in smelter byproducts and waste. Korea Zinc said higher prices for antimony and other critical minerals contributed additional earnings in 2025, while gold and silver recovered through advanced refining processes supported record results in the first half of 2026. For the second half of 2026 and 2027, the company is seeking further growth in zinc, copper, sulfuric acid and ultra-high-purity sulfuric acid for semiconductor applications. It is also advancing Project Crucible, a planned integrated U.S. smelter that Korea Zinc describes as a new growth pillar in the global critical-minerals supply chain.

Zodiac Gold announced completion of a 10,661-sample soil survey covering 530 square kilometres across Bomi South and Bong West in Liberia. The company said its interpretation of earlier national stream-sediment maps placed anomalous areas within its licences in the top 0.5% nationally for sixteen elements, including lead and zinc. These are regional exploration indicators, with no new lead-zinc resource disclosed.

MBK Partners and Young Poong are also major shareholders and that the parties could cooperate around sustainable growth, enhanced corporate value and the interests of all shareholders. The company said the control dispute, which has lasted nearly two years, could weigh on its future competitiveness and shareholder value, and urged the shareholders to focus on long-term development as critical-minerals supply chains undergo restructuring. Korea Zinc said it would continue advancing its “Troika Drive” covering secondary-battery materials, resource recycling and renewable energy, while expanding its critical-minerals supply-chain presence through Project Crucible in the United States. The company also said its extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved resolutions concerning an Audit Committee member and four independent directors, and that it would continue strengthening board independence and oversight.