Establishment of an AI strategy team, which will work with the Onsan Smelter’s Convergence Innovation Team to improve processes and enhance operations using AI technology.
– On the 11th, UNIST signed a business agreement to strengthen AI capabilities for all employees and executives, with the goal of fostering AI talent.
– Starting on the 2nd of next month, AI specialized training on utilizing actual process data will be provided to approximately 300 employees.
– Cooperation with UNIST in joint research in AI and smart manufacturing fields, and improvement of organizational culture for AI internalization.
Recently, Spot, the world’s first quadruped walking robot, was introduced at a smelter, boosting on-site safety and management efficiency.
SEOUL, South Korea — August 12, 2025 — Korea Zinc (Chairman Choi Yoon-beom) is establishing a dedicated AI organization to embrace the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and is partnering with the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) to strengthen company-wide AI capabilities and cultivate talent. Furthermore, Korea Zinc recently became the first smelter globally to introduce Boston Dynamics’ quadrupedal robot, Spot, accelerating its transformation into a “smart smelter.”
Korea Zinc announced on the 12th that it had implemented an organizational restructuring earlier this month, establishing an AI Strategy Team under its Technology Development (TD) Technology Division. Composed of IT and data experts, the AI Strategy Team will work with the Onsan Smelter Convergence Innovation Team to leverage AI technology to enhance operations such as facility diagnostics and process improvement.
Furthermore, on the previous day (the 11th), Korea Zinc signed a business agreement with UNIST to “strengthen AI capabilities across the entire company.” As part of Korea Zinc’s Onsan Refinery’s “AI-based Smart Smelter” initiative, Korea Zinc, in collaboration with UNIST, plans to provide specialized AI training to approximately 300 employees and systematically cultivate practical AI talent.
The AI specialized training program will run for approximately four months, starting on September 2nd. The curriculum is designed to enable practical application of AI technology, from the fundamentals of AI theory to practical application cases in industrial settings. After completing the four-month training, participants will engage in project-based learning (PBL), identifying field-specific items and utilizing actual process data.
In addition, Korea Zinc and UNIST will collaborate in areas such as: 1) AI and smart manufacturing-based technology consulting and joint research; 2) ongoing talent development and organizational culture improvement support for AI technology internalization. Furthermore, both parties plan to join forces in areas deemed necessary, and they will also pursue strategic collaboration leading to technology commercialization.
A Korea Zinc official stated, “For the success of our smart smelter, our executives and employees’ understanding of AI and their ability to apply it in practice are essential,” adding, “We will foster data-driven management capabilities and create a technology-centric organizational culture.”
UNIST President Jong-Rae Park said, “AI is a key tool for enhancing industrial competitiveness,” and added, “UNIST will lead the digital transformation of the regional manufacturing industry by collaborating with Korea Zinc to foster AI experts tailored to industrial sites.”
Meanwhile, Korea Zinc recently introduced Boston Dynamics’ quadrupedal robot, Spot, to its Onsan Refinery to improve safety and management efficiency. Korea Zinc’s Onsan Refinery is the first non-ferrous metal smelter worldwide to adopt Spot.
Currently, Spot patrols 466 inspection points and blind spots within the Onsan Smelter using a variety of high-performance sensors, including ultrasonic sensors, infrared cameras, hazardous gas detectors, and acoustic sensors. In the mid- to long-term, Korea Zinc plans to develop an integrated inspection system based on AI and robots, including drones and autonomous vehicles, in conjunction with Spot.
Source: Korea Zinc