Project Crucible Environmental Review
Project Overview
Project Crucible is a proposed integrated non-ferrous smelting and refining facility intended to produce 12 types of non-ferrous metals, including 11 of the 60 critical minerals designated by the United States government, as well as semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid. Products include zinc, lead, copper, gold, antimony, gallium, germanium and semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid. The Project’s proposed location is in Clarksville, Tennessee adjacent to Crucible Zinc’s existing smelting facility.
Once fully operational, Project Crucible would represent a significant expansion of domestic non-ferrous refining capabilities, including being the first large-scale United States-based zinc refinery constructed since the 1970s, illustrating the project’s strategic importance to the Department of War’s industrial base and the nation’s mineral independence strategy.
National Environmental Policy Act
An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to assess the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts of Crucible Metals, LLC constructing and operating Project Crucible near Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. The Department of War is designated as the lead federal agency for this Proposed Action. The Final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact is now available on this website under Environmental Documents.
FAST-41
Project Crucible is formally designated as a FAST-41 Covered Project, a classification administered by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council). FAST-41 status is reserved for major infrastructure projects requiring enhanced interagency coordination, predictable schedules, and increased transparency across Federal and state permitting processes. The Permitting Council officially announced Project Crucible’s selection as a covered project on April 22, 2026.
Notifications and Announcements
Executive Order 14156: Declaring a National Energy Emergency
Executive Order 14241: Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production
Federal Register Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact
Environmental Documents
Project Crucible Final Environmental Assessment
Finding of No Significant Impact