Indonesian nickel miner PT Vale Indonesia Tbk is accelerating the construction of its High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) nickel smelter in Pomalaa, Sulawesi Tenggara. The company has disclosed that the project is now expected to commence operations in the third quarter of 2026, ahead of the previously scheduled fourth quarter.
Andaru Brahmono Adi, Head of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations at PT Vale Indonesia, stated in Jakarta recently that this world-class nickel processing facility is on track to begin production one quarter earlier than planned, thanks to the accelerated project execution by its partners. Upon completion, the plant will produce 120,000 tonnes of nickel per year in the form of Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP), a key component in the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries.
Regarding construction progress, Andaru revealed that four out of the five planned production units have been installed. This achievement has strengthened the company's confidence in its partners' execution capabilities and laid a foundation for the project's continued stable advancement.
Meanwhile, mining activities at the Pomalaa site have also commenced. Andaru stated that following the approval of this year's Work Plan and Budget (RKAB), the company immediately began operations in the mining area. According to plans, the site is capable of producing 7 million tonnes (wet) of saprolite ore and 21 million tonnes (wet) of limonite ore annually. The accelerated progress of the Pomalaa project marks a strategic shift for PT Vale Indonesia as it transitions from a single-mine, single-smelter operator to a multi-mine operator.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
