Budel-Dorplein, 15 December 2025 – Nyrstar, an international producer of industrial and critical minerals and metals, has entered into an agreement with Korea Zinc in connection with the East Tennessee and Mid Tennessee mining complexes and the Clarksville smelter, currently owned or operated by Nyrstar.

Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Korea Zinc plans to acquire the fully permitted sites in the state of Tennessee to develop a new state-of-the-art fully integrated large-scale smelting facility in Clarksville, Tennessee.

The Clarksville smelter, operated by Nyrstar, is the sole primary zinc smelter in the U.S. and has run for almost 50 years. Together with the associated East and Mid Tennessee mining complexes, these assets represent a key domestic U.S. mine to metals value chain. The operations benefit from a highly skilled workforce, favorable geological and operational conditions, logistics accessibility, and relatively low electricity costs.

"This transaction would enable a secure and stable US zinc and zinc by-products supply for the future," said Nyrstar CEO Guido Janssen. "Korea Zinc is a world leader in smelting technology, and we are confident they will build on the strong foundations Nyrstar has laid in the State of Tennessee."

The proposed transaction between Korea Zinc and Nyrstar is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approvals with the sale expected to close in the first half of 2026. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the Clarksville smelter’s zinc metal production for 2026 would continue to be sold to Trafigura.

Nyrstar remains committed to producing the metals essential for energy, defense and technology applications, and continues to invest significantly in its smelters in Australia and Europe. In the U.S. specifically, Nyrstar will continue to work closely with the U.S. administration to identify domestic and international opportunities to secure critical minerals supply chains. This includes continued support for the U.S.–Australia Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Project Pipeline, for which an October 20 agreement was signed by President Trump and Prime Minister Albanese, including possible support for Nyrstar’s Antimony Pilot Plant and related investments in critical and strategic metals production at Nyrstar’s Port Pirie and Hobart sites.

ENDS

About Nyrstar

Nyrstar is an international producer of industrial and critical minerals and metals essential for a low carbon future. With a market leading position in zinc and lead, Nyrstar has mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the United States and Australia and employs approximately 4,000 people. Its Corporate Office is based in Budel-Dorplein, the Netherlands.

The company’s operations are located close to key customers and major transport hubs to facilitate reliable and efficient delivery of raw materials and distribution of finished products.

Nyrstar’s operating business is wholly owned by Trafigura, one of the world’s leading independent commodity trading and supply chain logistics companies. Visit www.nyrstar.com.