Core Viewpoint - The restructuring plan for the critical mineral supply chain led by the U.S. is facing uncertainty due to legal disputes and management disagreements involving the South Korean zinc smelting leader, Korea Zinc [1] Group 1: Project Overview - The Tennessee smelting plant project, a flagship of the U.S.-South Korea mineral strategy, is experiencing severe delays due to internal disputes over equity and management at Korea Zinc [1] - The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed a partnership with Korea Zinc to invest $7.4 billion in the construction of the smelting plant, aimed at addressing supply chain risks for various industries [1] - The project was expected to be a significant achievement, marking the first large-scale zinc smelting plant built in the U.S. since the 1970s [1] Group 2: Legal and Financial Issues - The focus of the legal dispute is on a third-party directed capital increase plan scheduled for December 26, where the current chairman of Korea Zinc intends to issue new shares to Crucible JV, acquiring 10% of Korea Zinc [2] - This financing plan has faced strong opposition from the largest shareholder alliance, who have filed for an injunction, claiming it is an "abnormal operation" to dilute competitors' shares and consolidate management rights [2] - Ongoing investigations by the Korean Fair Trade Commission and prosecutors into the legality of the financing chain may lead to further delays in the project's investment progress [2]

【环球时报驻韩国特约记者 黎枳银】受法律争议与经营管理分歧影响，美国主导的关键矿产供应链重 构计划正面临不确定性。据多家韩媒22日报道，作为韩美矿产战略合作的标杆项目——韩国锌冶炼龙 头"高丽亚铅"在美推进的田纳西州冶炼厂项目，正因公司内部激烈的股权与经营权纠纷深陷司法程序， 面临严峻的工期延误风险。 此前，该项目曾被寄予厚望。美国国防部近期刚确认将与高丽亚铅展开合作，计划在田纳西州斥资74亿 美元建造一座冶炼厂。旨在应对从汽车到军工的多个产业关键材料与日俱增的供应链风险。美国商务部 长卢特尼克更是在社媒上称该协议是"美国的重大胜利"。白宫官员表示，自上世纪70年代以来，美国就 没有建造过这样的大型锌冶炼厂。 案件的焦点集中在即将于12月26日进行的第三方定向增资计划。高丽亚铅现任会长崔润范拟于12月26日 通过向合资公司定向增发新股，由Crucible JV取得高丽亚铅10%的股份。然而，这一融资方案遭到了公 司最大股东联盟英丰与MBK的强烈抵制。英丰与MBK向法院申请禁令，指责在合资最终协议尚未签署 的情况下，崔氏此举实为稀释对手股权、巩固经营权的"异常操作"。 韩国《朝鲜日报》在17日的一篇报道中称，高 ...